Gov. Jim Justice this week joined West Virginia Department of Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Director Brett McMillion, West Virginia State Parks leaders and other local officials at Pipestem Resort State Park for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of over $8 million in upgrades at the park. 

 

“The renovations at Pipestem are incredible. I congratulate everyone who played a part in making all of these improvements possible,” Gov. Justice said. 

 

“Just look at this place right here. I don’t care where you go in this country, it doesn’t get any better than right here where we’re at right now,” Gov. Justice continued. “We've always known how good we are. But the outside world didn’t buy it. Someway, somehow, we had to change our image in West Virginia. Through projects like this, it’s working.”

 

Upgrades at Pipestem include nearly $4.4 million in renovations to the park’s two lodges, cabin upgrades, and more than $3.6 million in infrastructure improvements to the park’s tram, wastewater treatment plant, and campground waterline. 

 

In addition to the completed improvements celebrated on Wednesday, Gov. Justice highlighted other major upgrades at Pipestem Resort over the last four years. Since Gov. Justice took office, Pipestem Resort has also added a zipline, splash park and adventure lake, and an adventure zone, solidifying the park as one of the state’s best family travel destinations.

 

“Pipestem Resort has always been one of West Virginia’s most popular state parks and these upgrades we’re celebrating today and all of the incredible additions we’ve seen happen since Governor Justice took office have made Pipestem a place people all over the world want to visit,” Secretary Ruby said. “On behalf of our state’s tourism industry, I just want to thank Governor Justice for everything he’s done for our beautiful state and the state parks system.” 

 

Pipestem is the latest state park to reopen facilities after major renovations.

 

In recent months, Gov. Justice has hosted similar ribbon-cutting ceremonies at North Bend, Hawks Nest, Blackwater Falls, and Canaan Valley state parks to celebrate more than $24 million in improvements. 

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows one of the refurbished rooms with an incredible view of what the Mountain State offers, while Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby is shown below.