Coopers Rock State Forest

Coopers Rock State Forest gets its name from a legend about a fugitive who hid from the law near what is now the overlook. A cooper by trade, he resumed making barrels at his new mountain hideout, selling them to people in nearby communities. He lived and worked in the forest for many years. ==Forest management==

The Coopers Rock forest is roughly bisected by Interstate 68. The northern portion of the forest is managed by the forestry program at West Virginia University and is lesser-developed. The southern part is jointly managed by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and West Virginia Division of Forestry. It is more developed than some of the other state forests as it functions as a major recreation destination for the Morgantown area. ==Recreation activities==

Coopers Rock provides a diverse array of recreational opportunities. While the forest itself is open year-round, the main entrance to the southern portion of the park is closed each year from December 31 to March 31. These trails are generally usable for cross-country skiing during the winter. One trail, approximately long, provides access to the former Mont Chateau State Park at Cheat Lake. The Rock City Trail leads through rock city, a long crevasse between towering outcrops. Rock Climbing Coopers Rock is a popular bouldering area with boulder problems ranging from V0-V11 and numerous areas that can be easily set up for top-roping. Bolting is currently prohibited. Campgrounds The McCollum Camping Area is a 25-site campground at Coopers Rock open April 1- October 31. All sites have electric hookups and there is a shower house in the campground. Wi-Fi access is provided for registered campsites. The Rhododendron Camping Area is a 25-site campground at Coopers Rock open April 1 - October 31. All sites are non-electric and there is a central bathhouse. This campground is open only to tent/hammock camping. Henry Clay Iron Furnace Aside from the overlooks, the Henry Clay Iron Furnace is perhaps the most well-known portion of the forest. Accessible via the Clay Furnace or Clay Run trails, the furnace was built between 1834 and 1836 and produced pig iron. Capable of producing 4 tons of iron each day, the furnace employed about 200 people and operated until 1847. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. ==See also==