West Virginia State Wildlife Center - French Creek, WV
Discover the West Virginia State Wildlife Center, a unique dog park in French Creek, WV, offering pet-friendly trails and a welcoming environment for families and their furry friends. This park features wheelchair accessible entrances and parking, making it easy for everyone to enjoy the scenic 1.5-mile shaded walking trail that winds through natural habitats and wildlife exhibits. It’s an ideal spot for dog-friendly hiking and outdoor fun in a secure, well-maintained setting.
Visitors appreciate the friendly and knowledgeable staff, along with amenities such as a gift shop with a variety of treats and ice cream flavors, and weather shelters for comfort. The park is great for kids and pets alike, providing a peaceful nature experience with opportunities to see local wildlife up close. Whether you’re looking for a quiet walk or an educational day trip, this dog park near French Creek offers a memorable outdoor adventure for pet owners and nature lovers.
FAQ for West Virginia State Wildlife Center in French Creek West Virginia:
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? Yes, the park has a wheelchair accessible entrance and parking lot.
- Are restrooms available for owners? Yes, restrooms are available at the park.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, there are weather shelters throughout the park.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, the park has well-maintained, easily accessed trails including a 1.5 mile shaded walk and an additional hiking trail off the main trail.
- Are there staff or rangers present at the park? Yes, the staff is friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and attentive at various locations including entrance and gift shop.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, the park is a very nice, secure place for kids to run, play, and observe animals, making it great for children.
- Is there a fee or membership required to enter? Yes, admission is super affordable, though exact fee details are not specified.
- Where is the best place to park? The park offers a wheelchair accessible parking lot conveniently located onsite.
Reviews
Very enjoyable quiet walk through the woods seeing what great animals walk among us. They appear to be well cared for, just tired and lazy in there enclosures haha all I could say is I wish they all had more room in there enclosures but I’m sure each has a reason.
My family and I visited the wildlife center on Saturday, August 9th 2025. As much as I would love to leave a 5 star review, I cannot unfortunately. I am not normally the person to say captivity is cruel… but these poor animals were living in awful conditions! The otters habitat was the worst we saw. The water was not filled up all the way. It was a couple inches deep and it was extremely murky and gross.Otters cannot live without water!If you are going to keep animals in captivity or at this facility, they need to be properly taken care of!This is absolutely heartbreaking. These animals deserve better!I am not writing this review to leave a complaint but to let the employees know that they need to take care of these animals or they aren’t going to survive!!As an animal lover, this broke my heart.Please fix these poor babies habitats!
It’s is a very nice, secure place to take your kids to run, play, and see animals. They also have a small gift shop with very good food and very many flavors of ice cream. The staff is also exceptionally courteous. It’s a great place for kids as it’s usually not too busy.
Nice day trip! Facility is spotless and staff is friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable!! Everything is well marked. Trails are an easily accessed and well maintained. Even tho it was a scorcher of a day, the trail is well shaded and the 1.5 mile walk was enjoyable!All of the animals were somewhat active and visable, even French Creek Freddie was stretched out enjoying the cool flat stone he was laying on!Easy drive and the roads were well maintained, once you get off of I-79!
Decided to take a small road trip for our Sunday drive this week. Ended up choosing to come here, and it was a nice time. Little bit bummed we missed the river otters (their exhibit closes labor day), but enjoyed the animals that were there. We enjoyed watching the wolves especially. Trail is easy to walk & there is another hiking trail off of the trail through the animals. Super affordable, and the man at the entrance window was very informative. Ladies in the gift shop were very attentive and friendly as well. Weather shelters throughout, and restrooms available as well. Great for kids!