SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Going to a West Virginia state park for a Sunday buffet is a tradition for many families. The food is good and everyone from tots to grandparents is welcomed. Easter Sunday is special at state park restaurants because they are open for the holiday and feature everything from roast turkey to baked ham, sides, salads, and Easter-themed desserts. Each state park restaurant determines menus specific for the park restaurant and buffet hours are expanded to accommodate Easter day visitors.
Easter Sunday Buffets at West Virginia State Parks for April 4 are:
Cacapon State Park - 304-258-1022
Restaurant Manager Mike Halterman prepares buffets every Sunday of the year, available from Noon until 2 p.m. "Our Sunday buffets are very popular with residents of Morgan and Berkeley counties and surrounding areas. We have a great setting and the restaurant accommodates larger family groups," Halterman said. Cacapon's Easter Sunday buffet hours are Noon until 6 p.m. The adult cost is $18.99.
Chief Logan Lodge Restaurant - 304-855-6100
Chief Logan Restaurant's Chef Cathy Fout keeps the greater Logan area coming back for more every Sunday from Noon until 5 p.m. For Easter Sunday she recommends reservations with seatings at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. Adult price is $17.95. "We find that on Easter we serve extended families which can be larger groups than usual. We take reservations so everyone is accommodated," Fout said. Chief Logan Lodge restaurant features buffets every Sunday from Noon to 5 p.m.
Hawks Nest - Canyon Vista Restaurant - 304-658-5212
This will be Tom and Becky Norman's first Easter Sunday operating the restaurant at Hawks Nest State Park. "We're planning a good buffet menu from Noon until 3 p.m. and, depending on calls and reservations, we may extend hours this Easter. Buffets are featured at Hawks Nest every Sunday.
North Bend Dining Room - 304-643-2931
"Anyone who has been to North Bend knows Sunday buffet is part of the park's history," said Kathy Metz, Assistant Superintendent. "We have our Easter egg hunt on Sunday at 2 p.m. and encourage visitors to take advantage of Easter Sunday buffet from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m." The buffet is $16.95 for adults and reservations are not required. North Bend offers buffet every Sunday from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Pipestem State Park - Bluestone Dining Room - 304-466-1800
The view from the restaurant is reason enough to travel to Pipestem for a meal on Easter Sunday. "The hills are starting to green up, meaning springtime is here. Of course, the buffet selection is wonderful," said Chef Eric Stalnaker. Sunday buffet hours are 11:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. and the price is $17.95 for adults. "If there is a group of 10 or more, we recommend calling for a reservation, but reservations are not necessary." The restaurant at Pipestem State Park does features Friday evening seafood buffets and buffets every Sunday from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Twin Falls State Park - 304-294-4000
Easter is always busy at Twin Falls with families visiting the park for picnics and egg hunts and to hike golf or view wildlife. "We have a seating at 1 p.m. and again at 3 p.m. for our Easter Sunday buffet, and we ask folks to call for reservations," said Janet Scott, food service manager. "On typical Sundays we offer dinner specials, but on Easter Sunday we enjoy preparing a special buffet menu and encourage people to visit the park with their families and friends." Easter buffet at Twin Falls is $17.95.
Blackwater Falls - 304-259-5216
Easter is a special day for Gil Reynolds, restaurant manager at Blackwater Falls State Park. "On most Sundays we do things a little differently - we have only breakfast buffets - but Easter is the exception. I plan an extensive lunch through dinner buffet." Blackwater Falls Easter Sunday buffet hours are 1 to 8 p.m. The adult price is $14.95 with children under 10 years of age eating free. Reservations are recommended but not required.
Holly River Restaurant - 304-493-9493
Holly River State Park's cabins, campground and restaurant normally open the first Friday in April. "This year opening day falls on Easter Weekend," said Marsha Jordan, park secretary. "Our phones ring off the hook about cabins and camping. People like Holly River."
Listed as of one of the 101 Unique Places to Dine in West Virginia by the West Virginia Division of Tourism, Holly River's restaurant will be open on Saturday, April 3 and Sunday, April 4. The restaurant is operated by Debbie Schoolcraft, a food service concessionaire. For information about Easter weekend, people should call the restaurant directly for information about the menu, prices and times. Restaurant open days hours at Holly River vary somewhat in the spring months, but on weekends the hours are Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. For cabin reservations and camping information, the park phone number is 304-493-6353. The restaurant number is 304-493-9493.
Other dining options
Ten state parks have lodges with full-service restaurants on-site. For information about Easter at Stonewall Resort call 304-269-7400 and for Canaan Valley Resort call 304- 304-866-4121. Tygart Lake Restaurant opens for the season on April 16 through December and is not open on Easter Sunday.
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