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Berkeley Springs State Park

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MonnieR
MonnieR
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4 out of 5
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Berkeley Springs State Park

  • January 21, 2007
  • Rated 4 of 5 by MonnieR from Niles, Ohio
Berkeley Springs State Park

George Washington may not have slept here, but he was a devotee of the therapeutic waters of what is now Berkeley Springs State Park in Berkeley Springs, W.Va. His first, but far from last, visit reportedly came at the age of 16, when he was a member of a party surveying land owned by Thomas Lord Fairfax.

Sold on the warm spring waters here -- the temperature never varies from 73.4 degrees Fahrenheit--the future U.S. President was a regular visitor and landowner here for many years.

Washington's enthusiasm apparently is shared by the throngs of visitors to the park today. On a recent stop, in fact, my husband and I talked with a couple of young ladies who were splashing their feet in one of the outdoor pools. They live about 20 minutes from the park, they told us, and they come every single weekend (weather permitting) just to relax and let the waters carry away their stress.

The town of Berkeley Springs has a history all its own; officially, it's still known as Bath, the name it's been known as since the 1780s. Overlooking the park from Warm Springs Ridge is Berkeley Castle, an eye-popping structure built in 1885 as a "summer cottage." The parking lot at the stately Inn & Spa at Berkeley Springs, located on a lot once owned by James Smith, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, is almost always filled.

But it is the springs that attracts the lion's share of attention. Originating from five main sources, approximately 2,000 gallons of clear water are discharged every single minute, according to park literature. The Main Bathhouse and Old Roman Bath Building are open all year 'round (except for a couple of holidays); a gift shop and historical museum are don't-miss sights as well. The Roman Bath, by the way, is in an indoor sunken pool that holds 750 gallons of water.

Anyone can test the waters in the open pools at no cost, but bathhouse soaks are accompanied by nominal fees. Take-out is available as well; just fill 'er up at the outdoor spigot. No jug? No problem. Gallon containers can be purchased for about a quarter at the visitor center.

Taking a bath requires advance reservations, but the rest of the park is open to all and offers, despite its small size, plenty of opportunities for picture-taking. It's especially beautiful in the fall as the extensive foliage turns to vibrant reds, yellows and oranges.

Those who have lots of film or plenty of space left on memory cards should consider a walking or driving tour of the town's historic sites and sights--the list of folks who once lived and/or passed through here reads like a virtual Who's Who of early America.

From journal Rejuvenate at Berkeley Springs State Park

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