CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia is seeing increased use of its state parks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In June, online reservations for stays at state parks increased by 227 percent when compared to June 2019.
Revenue from West Virginia residents utilizing the parks also increased by 187 percent.
“West Virginians are taking advantage of our state parks because they are a great place to socially distance while exploring the beauty of ‘Almost Heaven West Virginia,’” Gov. Jim Justice said.
In June, state parks began offering a discount to West Virginia residents.
The offer, called the WVSTRONG Discount, is providing West Virginians with a 30 percent discount on lodging at state parks for stays between June 1 through Aug. 31.
“Under my administration, we said that we were going to do anything and everything we could to improve our state parks,” Justice said. “Through our State Park Bond Program, projects are under way or planned at every single park,” Justice said.