Watoga, Cal Price State Forest, Droop Mountain Battlefield, Dark Sky Parks

05/06/2026

02/19/2026

Josh Feather

Superintendent of Watoga, Droop Mountain Battlefield, Beartown State Parks, the Greenbrier River Trail, and Calvin Price State Forest
In his own words:

As a husband and father of two, my children and wife are my greatest joy. From childhood I have always been deeply connected to the outdoors. I am a hunter and fisherman by heart, and ultimately, the outdoors would inspire my career path. While attending Marshall University, I began my internship at Blackwater
Falls State Park. Inspired by the superintendents there at the time, Rob Gilligan and Scott Fortney, I discovered West Virginia State Parks was my passion. Becoming Assistant Superintendent of Cass, my passion flourished. I had the honor of becoming Assistant Superintendent at Watoga State Park under the leadership of recently retired Superintendent Jody Spencer. Now, Superintendent
of multiple parks (Watoga State Park, Droop Mountain Battlefield, Beartown State Park, Greenbrier River Trail ; Calvin Price State Forest) my sense of pride overflows having the responsibly to protect and serve the parks I call home. The parks are a huge part of the community and ultimately the community is the backbone of our parks. I most enjoy interactions with park guests from West Virginia and beyond. I have made lifelong friends throughout the years. Our foundation members, Seasonal staff, housekeepers, maintenance, and office staff are a true inspiration of the dedication it takes to run a park smoothly. I have seen how a park gives back when treated with love and care. Our park employees are not just co-workers, but become an extension to what feels like an extended family “The Parks family”. This job is more than a dream job, every day I wake up and feel incredibly blessed and extremely proud to have the opportunity to serve West Virginia State Parks.

02/01/2026

Darkness isn’t empty. It’s alive.

When we let the lights fade, a different world emerges. One with wings in motion, quiet songs, night-blooming life, and skies filled with stories. The dark is not something to fear, but something to experience.

As Wendell Berry reminds us, the night “blooms and sings.” Let’s make space for that world to exist. 🌙✨

12/17/2025

Our Dark Sky efforts and certification is detailed in this lovely book!

Need a last minute gift for a Watoga State Park fan? The book, Watoga State Park "Queen of the Fleet" edited by John C. Dean, our board member who passed away this year is available! This was John Dean's dream as a fundraiser for the Foundation. With a (minimum) $25 donation to the Watoga State Park Foundation, you can pick up this book at the gift shop at Watoga. It's beautiful and informative. Thanks to many many contributors on this project. Please note - we are not able to mail this out or set any aside, so if you know someone local who can pick it up for you, please let them know. We have many available and can always order more to be printed when we need to.

10/29/2025

https://wvexplorer.com/2025/10/26/fireflies-west-virginia-university/?fbclid=IwY2xjawNvWZBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHvTh-oo8AQ3BIsjN_jt26jfwSWblvTDGdbQA4r8pHlKLm1Up7gcxaC96p2Mr_aem_w-_sDvVn-_wllaBV-JwHdQ

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — While rare “synchronous fireflies” are becoming a tourist attraction across Appalachia, a West Virginia University researcher is reminding visitors to enjoy the spectacle responsibly and without disrupting the insects’ delicate mating rituals. Synchronous fireflies (Photi...

10/01/2025

Boo! 👻 Our October issue of Wonderful West Virginia has arrived! 🍂✨ This month, we’re exploring Sutton Dam, uncovering the mysteries of rabbits and hares, sharing supernatural stories, and showcasing stunning wildlife photography.

Here’s your first look at the October 2025 cover!!

📸 : Jesse Thornton

08/28/2025

RESCHEDULED! We are bumping the star party over 1 day to take advantage of the best viewing conditions. It is now on SATURDAY Aug 30th!

08/04/2025

🔭 Astronomy lovers! August is serving up a sky show you won’t want to miss.

🌕 It starts on August 9th with the radiant Full Sturgeon Moon lighting up the night like a cosmic lantern.
💫 The next day, Mercury wraps up its retrograde, bringing a shift in the sky’s rhythm.

🌠 August 12 is pure magic:
• The Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak—expect a flurry of shooting stars under clear, dark skies.
• Plus, Venus and Jupiter come incredibly close, shining like a double star before dawn.

✨ On August 14, Venus climbs to its highest point in the morning sky, still close to Jupiter for another breathtaking view.

🪐 From August 15 to 30, a rare planetary alignment will dazzle the sky as six planets line up—Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, and Saturn all visible to the naked eye.

It’s a month packed with cosmic beauty. Keep your eyes on the skies! 🌌