Audra
State Park
is a West Virginia state park located
on 355 acres in southwestern Barbour
County. It was
established around the remnants of an early
nineteenth century gristmill and the tiny community
of Audra. The spillway and millstone of the
gristmill are still extant and visible.
![Audra State Park [Click to enlarge]](../../../Images/WV/Audra.gif)
The
park is a hilly, secondary forest area bisected by
the Middle
Fork River. The deep pools, large, flat rocks,
and riverside beach have provided generations of
campers, local teens and college students a place to
swim or work on their tans.
Audra
State Park
is the site of Alum Cave, which is
accessible by a boardwalk built along this
overhanging sandstone ledge.
The
park serves as the put-in point for a 6.6 mile kayak
run along about 2.8 miles the Middle Fork River and
about 3.8 miles of the Tygart Valley River
to the confluence of the latter with the Buckhannon
River.
You will
find the Audra State Park in the northeastern part
of the state; it is 6 miles east off US 119 and 15 miles
east of Buckhannon off Rt. 33 at Talbot Road.
Before the
turn of the 1900’s, the area’s natural beauty of the
Middle Fork River and its surroundings drew the
attention of West Virginians. This area is now Audra State
Park, a heavily wooded riverside campground that continues
to awe visitors.
The
campground consists of 65 tent and trailer sites, two
bathhouses with modern facilities, and a centrally located
playground. There are coin-operated washing machines and
dryers. Each site has a picnic table and grill. You are
unable, at this time, to reserve campsites at Audra State Park.
All sites are first-come, first-served.
People who
love the outdoors will not be disappointed. The beautiful
woodlands surrounding Middle Fork River provide the
ideal setting for both hiking and picnicking. Alum Cave
boasts matchless scenery. The most magnificent view can be
seen while walking the boardwalk built along the cave's
overhanging ledge. The park allows swimming in the Middle
Fork River.
Whitewater
enthusiasts enjoy boating the Middle Fork River.
This activity is permitted at your own risk.
History buffs
can entertain themselves with the history of the park. The
spillway of a gristmill used in the early 1900s can still be
seen today.
Accessibility
for the disabled was assessed by West Virginia
University. The assessment found the campground,
picnic area, and park offices to be accessible. The
main swimming hole (just below the site of the
former gristmill), with wet, slippery rocks and
unpaved approaches is not considered accessible.
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation
License.
Audra State Park
Rt.
4 Box 564