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.

Bands of rock cliffs line the Cheat River Gorge and provide numerous overlooks. The centerpiece among these is the main overlook, which furnishes a panorama of the gorge and distant horizons. A maze of enormous boulders and cliffs fascinates hikers, and the trails are especially lovely in June when the rhododendron and mountain laurel are in bloom. Several trails wind through forest valleys and over ridges, and a number of creeks beckon the explorer. Glade Run is dammed to form a 6-acre pond that is regularly stocked with trout. The observant hiker can hear and sometimes see squirrels, chipmunks, hawks, owls, turkeys, turkey vulture, songbirds, fox and deer throughout the forest.

During the Depression, between 1936 and 1942, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built numerous structures in the forest, often using durable American chestnut wood from trees that succumbed to a blight that nearly wiped out the species. Eleven of these structures, including the rustic picnic shelters near the overlook, have been included on the National Register of Historic Places.

All 25 sites have electric hookup. The campground opens April 1- December 1. Pets must be leashed and not left unattended. Price is for one tent or trailer per site and six people per site. A maximum of 10 people permitted. Hot showers are available in the shower house and water is available at an outside faucet.

Reservation policies

Up to 50 percent of the campsites at Coopers Rock State Forest are available for reservations, while the remainder are rented on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations can be made by mail, phone or in person at least 2 days in advance for a minimum of 2 nights, up to a maximum of 14 nights. The reservation is held by paying a deposit of the entire camping fee plus a handling charge. Campsite numbers will not be guaranteed; however, every effort will be made to assign the campsite requested. Payment may be made by check, money order, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover.

The camping reservation season begins the Friday before Memorial Day and ends Labor Day. Reservation requests are accepted from February 15th preceding. If a reservation is canceled more than seven days in advance the deposit will be refunded (except the first night's rental and a handling charge).

The campground is open April 1 through mid-December (weather permitting). Only one tent or trailer is allowed per site, and check-out time is noon.