Big Springs: Nature and History at Nearby Calhoun County Park

A stay connected with Big Springs can be planned around several different themes. Big Springs has historical points of interest; nearby Calhoun County Park offers a forest trail, a Heritage Village, and an annual event. Across Calhoun County, there are also opportunities along the Little Kanawha River and rural roads. If you are looking for a hotel in Big Springs, you can plan around these distinctions: outdoor activity, history, or a mix of both each offer a different focus.

Forest Trail and Heritage Village at Calhoun County Park

The Duane Poling Trail is 3.2 miles long. The unpaved trail winds through the woods around the park and is used for hiking and biking. Whether you choose to hike or bike, these are not two different trails: the length, surface, and woodland setting are relevant to both activities. These features also distinguish the trail from the Heritage Village buildings and programs.

The Heritage Village contains seven buildings relocated from areas within Calhoun County. Tours and demonstrations are also offered. The park thus brings together two distinct focuses: the trail, whether on foot or by bike, and exploring the buildings and their interpretation. The buildings’ origins within the county give the village its own historical connection. If you are planning a visit to the park, these differences can help you weigh outdoor activity against architectural history and a guided or demonstration-based activity.

Dark Skies Parties are also held annually at Calhoun County Park. If you would like to include one of these events in your stay, check the specific dates against your travel dates.

Other Themes in Calhoun County

At the Calhoun County level, the Little Kanawha River offers a distinct recreational option. At several easily accessible locations, the river provides opportunities to float when the current is calm. This differs significantly from hiking or biking on the park’s unpaved trail: here, the focus is on the river and its current, while there it is on the woods and trail surface. For travel planning, the river activities can therefore be considered a county-wide option alongside activities at the park.

The rural roads in Calhoun County are considered scenic and winding. Some sections are paved, while others are gravel. If you are planning drives through the county, take this mix of road surfaces into account when choosing your route.

Historical Points of Interest in Big Springs

A 2019 description locates Prosperity Baptist Church on Leading Creek Road in Big Springs. Big Springs Cemetery commemorates Mary E. Klipstine, who lived from January 21, 1836, to November 15, 1881. This highlights a specific street location and the life dates of a named individual as distinct historical points of reference. Unlike the seven Heritage Village buildings relocated from elsewhere in the county, they point to individual local places and a person.

For the broader travel overview: Gilmer County.