Looking Up at Coopers Rock

The state forest’s new stargazing cabins are opening up a whole new world of possibilities. 

This story was originally published in the February/March 2026 issue of Wonderful West Virginia. To subscribe, visit wonderfulwv.com.

Written by Taylor Maple
Photos Courtesy of West Virginia Department of Commerce

Coopers Rock State Forest offers some of the most stunning views in all of West Virginia. Located just 15 miles from Morgantown, its legendary canyon overlook, camping and climbing spots, and over 50 miles of trails make it a popular destination for visitors near and far. But the forest is leveling up in terms of accommodation—now, you won’t just be looking out and around you at the mesmerizing sights. You’ll be looking up.

With a stay in one of Coopers Rock’s new stargazing cabins, visitors have a fresh way to enjoy the forest. Each sleek A-frame cabin features floor-to-ceiling windows, skylights, high-powered telescopes, and the peaceful, rustic, and dark surroundings that anyone who’s spent time in the forest treasures.

Coopers Rock is one of the busier state forests due to its proximity to Interstate 68 and to Morgantown, which is constantly growing and abuzz with student life at West Virginia University’s main campus. So, according to District Park Manager Matthew Baker, hatching ideas for new and interesting stays in addition to the existing campsites was a no-brainer. “There’s good stargazing at Coopers Rock. It’s a fairly dark sky there,” he says. “There’s an increase in demand for unique stays, and there’s an increase in visitation to Coopers Rock, so it just made perfect sense to do these stargazing cabins.”

Thoughtful Locations, Modern Amenities

Although there are many dark and beautiful corners within the forest’s borders, the specific locations of these cabins were chosen so that they could offer a mix of thoughtful amenities, comfortable but woodsy isolation, and gorgeous views of the sky. Brad Atkins, superintendent of Coopers Rock State Forest, says access to the cabins is along a main, paved road heading into the forest, and nearby water and sewage lines allowed for easy connections to the cabins’ modern bathrooms and kitchens.

Five cabins are currently open—and booking fast—with seven more to open in 2026. There are also additional plots of land that could accommodate construction of more cabins in the future. The A-frame structures were designed by ZMM Architects and won a 2025 Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects before they even opened to the public, and they’re a remarkable sight to behold against the backdrop of the forest. “If you see photos of them at night, where the eaves are lit and everything, they’re very eye-catching,” Baker says.

In addition to the stargazing perks, all cabins feature two bedrooms, a bathroom, modern amenities, fully equipped kitchens, living rooms, private decks, coffee makers, pots and pans, utensils, linens, wi-fi, and satellite TV—essentially anything you might need for either a short weekend stay or a more extended trip. Some of the structures are ADA-compliant, offering options to a wide range of guests, and a few are even pet-friendly. Importantly, all sit in areas that are particularly conducive to dark-sky viewing. 

“A definite side-benefit: The forest is not highly developed, as far as lights go,” Atkins says. “We don’t have lights throughout the forest, and so it does happen to be an area that’s rather dark.”

Baker got the full experience, staying in one cabin before it was open to the public. He played guest as the parks team worked out lingering kinks, took final looks at the structures, and ensured the accommodations were ready for bona fide customers, and he reports having a magical time himself. “The cabins are so uniquely designed, and unique to the stargazing aspect,” he says, noting that he tested out his cabin’s telescopes to see how easy it would be for guests to use. “As soon as I looked through the viewfinder, I watched a shooting star go across the sky.”

Perennial Views

These cabins, and the more robust accommodation they provide compared to traditional campsites, are open year-round, bolstering the forest’s appeal in the winter months when most of those campsites are not open for use. “It gets a lot of snow up there,” Baker says. “So we’re really getting more and more cross country skiers and people visiting for winter activities. It certainly makes sense to have overnight accommodations there.” 

Not only do the cabins offer an idyllic winter stay, but they also help the forest bring in revenue during months that otherwise might be a bit quieter. “It does a lot for not just access to the forest, but also really for the viability,” Atkins says. “Financially, for these areas to operate, it’s important to be able to create some sort of revenue in the wintertime as well.”

The Coopers Rock team has experienced a learning curve, Atkins says, given that this new level of accommodation requires maintenance and guest communication to a far greater extent than the more primitive campsites do. But they’re up for the challenge, and when the cabins opened in fall 2025, reservations started rolling in. “They’re in very high demand right off the bat,” Baker says. “They’re booking out quickly during football weekends and things like that.”

While You’re There

Although cabin guests are likely to be wrapped up in their views of the sky in the darker hours of the day, there’s plenty else to fill their daylight hours both in the state forest and in the immediate surrounding area.

Hiking is huge at Coopers Rock. From easy beginner trails like the 0.3 mile Eagle Loop Trail to difficult treks like the 2.6 mile Scott Run Trail, there’s something for hikers at every skill level. Bikes are also welcome on many of the trails, and cross country skiing options also open up in the winter for those willing to brave the frosty hills. Winding through the breathtaking scenery of the forest will give you glimpses of the Henry Clay Iron Furnace, which produced iron back in the 1800s, picnic areas and Civilian Conservation Corps–built shelter houses where you can stop for a snack or gather with loved ones, a playground area for the kids, the centrally located Trading Post shop stocked with souvenirs and any supplies you may have left at home, and of course, the stunning and much-loved Coopers Rock Overlook—currently being reconstructed and expected to re-open for summer 2026.

There are sandstone cliffs for climbing and a lake where licensed anglers can fish. Hunting, with the proper licenses, is allowed in certain areas of Coopers Rock State Forest. Nearby Cheat River and Cheat Lake offer swimming, paddling, and rafting for those who’d like to be out on the water, and of course, neighboring hubs like Morgantown mean you’re never more than a short trip down the highway from coffee shops, fine dining, college sports, theater, and any other slice of fun you might find yourself hankering for. 

The state forest’s “wild and wonderful” appeal so close to urban fun is one of the things that makes Coopers Rock such a popular destination. “Coopers Rock is really just an outdoor recreation gem that’s right there in the heart—for lack of a better word—of Morgantown,” says Baker. “The access to the events and activities that go on in Morgantown, but yet also being able to escape to the outdoors there at Coopers Rock, is great.”

With these new cabins, the forest has stepped up its game once more, offering some of the finest stargazing in the eastern United States and giving both seasoned campers and new visitors an interesting stay they won’t find anywhere else nearby.