Located in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle, Berkeley Springs State Park, ‘America’s First Spa’, is a year-round paradise for visitors hoping to get in a little rest and relaxation. Though it’s one of the smallest state parks in the country, the town of Berkeley Springs boasts an outsize presence and beautiful atmosphere.
If you want to visit Berkeley Springs State Park for the first time, we’ve put together a handy guide to help you get started. We’ve also included things to do nearby and restaurants.
Book your stay with Blue Maple vacation rentals, so you’ll be close to all the amazing amenities of the first spa town in the USA.
About Berkeley Springs State Park
History
Berkeley Springs was formally established in 1776 — just a few months after the United States declared independence from Great Britain. Across the centuries, visitors have come to Berkeley Springs to partake of the healing waters here.
Since long before white colonialists settled the Shenandoah Valley, Native Americans frequently traveled to the springs to soak in the warm springs, which continue to flow at a constant 74 degrees Farenheit all year round.
Roman Bath House
Though there are several spas around town, the state park’s crown jewel is the old Roman Bath House, built in 1815 and lovingly maintained to this day. At the center of Berkeley Springs, it features nine private walk-in tubs where you can enjoy a whirlpool or a Roman bath, as well as an outdoor pool that’s open in the summer. The amenities — including facials, massages, sauna sessions, and more — are five-star-worthy, but the prices are decidedly budget-friendly.
When to Visit
Naturally, summer is the most popular time of year to visit. While you’re in your tub or sipping spring water from one of the public taps around town, reflect on the many visitors who came to Berkeley Springs before you, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson’s father, and more.
Things to Do at Berkeley Springs State Park
Though only five acres across, Berkeley Springs State Park offers a variety of different activities for guests. Throughout the year, you can visit the baths and admire the picture-perfect small town that surrounds the park.
Here are a few of our favorite year-round activities.
Soak in the Springs
This one is a no-brainer — why else would you be here if not to experience the world-famous warm springs? The mineral springs have a high content of magnesium carbonate, sodium chloride, calcium sulfate, and more, and the waters are said to provide myriad health benefits. Just make sure to book your 30- or 60-minute soaking session ahead of time, as the tubs can fill up fast.
Enjoy the Spa Services
The warm mineral waters are the star of the show at Berkeley Springs State Park, but they’re far from the only way to relax and recharge. After enjoying the warm spring waters, head to the sauna for a 20-minute session, which you can book for yourself and a partner or you and your family.
The facilities at Berkeley Springs State Park also provide massages, hot stone treatments, facials (for men and women), aromatherapy, and much more. Since prices are fairly reasonable, you can even put together a package of multiple treatments to really embrace the Berkeley Springs lifestyle. On days when the park gets too busy, try one of the many other spas around town.
Tour the Museum of the Berkeley Springs
After a soak session at the historic Roman Bath House, head upstairs from the tubs to learn more about the area. The Museum of the Berkeley Springs is housed on the second floor of the bathhouse, and it serves as the perfect introduction to the area’s rich history.
The museum is packed with exhibits, publications, and activities that showcase Berkeley Springs’s impact throughout its history. Best of all, it’s free to visit, so there’s no reason not to stop by after your spa treatments!
Explore Alternative Healing
If you’re plagued by back and neck pain, or you’re simply curious about the potential of practices like reiki, check out Sage Moon Healing Center. Right around the corner from Berkeley Springs State Park, Sage Moon employs several practitioners who are experts in alternative healing techniques like reflexology and craniosacral therapy.
For those who just want to browse, Sage Moon also has an extensive herb shop that sells everything from tea to incense. A stop by Sage Moon is the perfect supplement to your time in the healing spring waters.
Shop for Souvenirs
When you’re wrapping up your time in Berkeley Springs and want something special to remember your visit, the town is filled with cute boutiques and other stores selling unique souvenirs.
There’s Sage Moon, of course, as well as the bustling Berkeley Springs Antique Mall. Mineral Springs Trading Company specializes in artisanal gifts and home goods, and, last but not least, the state park itself has a gift shop that you can peruse on your way to or from your bath reservations.
Annual Events in Berkeley Springs
The charming small town of Berkeley Springs has a packed yearly calendar, and many events are centered on the springs themselves. The most notable is the International Water Tasting, held in February annually and billed as the “world’s most prestigious water tasting.”
But there are plenty of other items to add to your calendar, so we’ve put together a short list of things you can’t miss, including that tasting (this isn’t an exhaustive list, though — there’s almost always something new happening here!):
- The Renewal Festival (January)
- Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting (February)
- George Washington’s Bathtub Celebration (March)
- Hey Girlfriend Weekend (June)
- Apple Butter Festival (October)
Where to Eat Near Berkeley Springs State Park
Feeling peckish? Numerous breakfast, lunch, and dinner restaurants surround Berkeley Springs State Park, so you can nourish your body and soul from morning ‘til night while you’re in town. Many are within walking distance of the center of Berkeley Springs.
Here are a few of our favorites:
- Lot 12 Public House
- Morgan Tavern
- Fairfax Coffee House and Eatery
- The Naked Olive Lounge
- Mary’s Vegetarian Cafe
Other Attractions Near Berkeley Springs State Park
Though Berkeley Springs State Park is constantly buzzing with activity, you can venture further afield to find even more things to do. Cacapon Resort State Park is a haven for indoor and outdoor recreation, with a full-service spa of its own as well as a golf course, dining options, hiking and mountain biking trails, and fishing holes.
Elsewhere in Morgan County, you can hike to nearby Prospect Overlook, which towers almost 1,000 feet over the Potomac River. Or, on a rainy day back in Berkeley Springs, take an art class at Frog Valley Artisans — just make sure you set aside some time to peruse their gallery afterward. There are countless different spots to explore around Berkeley Springs State Park.
Stay Near Berkeley Springs State Park
We hope that our first-time visitor’s guide to Berkeley Springs State Park has helped spark some inspiration as to what you might do in this historic, picturesque area. This is a getaway like no other to unwind, and you can choose from so many different ways to do so.
Before you hit the road to Berkeley Springs, book your stay at Blue Maple vacation rentals. All of our properties are a short drive away from Berkeley Springs State Park and the area’s many other attractions, so you’ll never be far from exciting things to see and do.