West Virginia is an ideal year-round vacation destination
with endless places to visit ranging from beautiful mountain retreats to quaint historic
towns. With so many opportunities to enjoy outdoor recreation, the state is a mecca for
the active traveler but also a nice place to relax and unwind in a natural setting.
Popular activities include hiking, biking, fishing, whitewater rafting, kayaking, rock
climbing, zip lining, ATVing. horseback riding and more. Winter activities include downhill
and cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and ice skating. For history
lovers, heritage sites abound throughout the mountains offering glimpses of how the Civil
war, colonial life, and early explorers all helped shape American culture. While there
are dozens of fun places to explore, here are ten of the "must sees" in West Virginia.
1.Harpers Ferry
Harpers Ferry is a historic town and National Historic Park, the site of the abolitionist John
Brown's raid on the Armory in 1859 during the American Civil War. Located just 66
miles northwest of Washington DC, the scenic town sits along the Potomac and Shenandoah
Rivers at the borders of three states: West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia. Visitors
can explore museums and exhibits, hike to overlooks or along Civil War skirmish lines,
take a ranger-guided tour or living history workshop. Nearby recreational activities
include white water rafting, fishing, mountain biking, tubing, canoeing, hiking, zip lining,
and rock climbing.
2.Snowshoe Mountain Snowshoe Mountain is the largest ski area
in West Virginia and has the region's highest vertical drop. The resort has lots of activities
and a wide range of accommodations. This is the best skiing in the region. Snowshoe is
a full scale resort with lots of lodging and restaurants nearby. Activities include downhill
and cross country skiing, snowboarding, snowcat tours, snowmobiling, snowshoe tours, indoor
pool, hot tubs, mini golf, and arcades. During the summer months, visitors enjoy the mountain
bike park, hiking, swimming, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, golf, zip lining and more.
Worth a visit nearby are the Green Bank Observatory and the Cass Scenic Railroad.
3.New River Gorge The New River Gorge region of West Virginia
is the outdoor recreation capital of the Eastern U.S. known for its whitewater rafting, mountain
biking, hiking trails, rock climbing, skiing and fishing. New River Gorge National River protects
and preserves 53 miles of the New River. Two visitor centers, Canyon Rim and Sandstone operate
year round, and two are open seasonally; Grandview and Thurmond open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Food,
lodging, and full service campgrounds are plentiful in the gateway communities surrounding
the park. Visit the towns of the New River Highlands and examine the area's rich industrial
heritage, a time when railroads, coal mines, and company stores blanketed the coal fields
of the region.
4.Seneca Rocks
Seneca Rocks is one of the best-known scenic attractions in West Virginia, most popular
for rock climbing and hiking. Located within the Monongahela National Forest in the Eastern
Panhandle, the rocks are a magnificent formation of white/gray Tuscarora quartzite rising
nearly 900 feet above the North Fork River. The quartzite is approximately 250 feet thick
and is located primarily on exposed ridges as caprock or exposed crags. With elevations
ranging from around 1,000 feet to 4,863 feet above sea level, the park offers beautiful
views, wildlife, and the highest point in the state. The Seneca Rocks Discovery Center
offers interpretive programs on weekends during the summer months.
5.Blackwater Falls and Canaan Valley Blackwater Falls cascade 60 feet over sandstone
ledges over the Blackwater River as they continue to rush through an eight-mile-long gorge.
The falls are accessible year-round from steps and viewing platforms. The state park has
a lake as well with boating, swimming, fishing, and camping. There is a lodge and cabins that
provide accommodations for an overnight stay. Nearby, Canaan Valley Resort, offers overnight
lodging, several restaurants, a world class golf course, conference facilities, a 43-slope
ski area, a snow tubing trail, a fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, whirlpool spa and
miles of hiking, biking and cross country ski trails.
6.Coopers Rock State Forest Located just 13 miles east of Morgantown,
West Virginia, Coopers Rock State Forest is a prime destination for hiking as it features
bands of rockcliffs that line the Cheat River Gorge and provide numerous overlooks. Several
trails wind through forest valleys and over ridges, and a number of creeks. Wildlife throughout
the forest includes squirrels, chipmunks, hawks, owls, turkeys, turkey vulture, songbirds,
fox and deer. The nearby Cheat River runs for 78.3 miles and is one of the top places
to go whitewater rafting in the region.
7.Stonewall Resort
Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park is an award-winning lakeside lodge with cottages,
a conference center, restaurants, a fitness center and swimming pool, spa and an 18-hole
Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course. The resort is located at Stonewall Jackson Lake State
Park in Roanoke, West Virginia near The Briar Point Campground and The Stonewall Marina.
The lake is a popular spot for fishing and boating. The park also offers 16 miles of
hiking trails.
8.Greenbrier State Forest The Greenbrier State Forest provides more
than 5,100 acres of scenic mountainous terrain for outdoor recreation including hiking, biking,
swimming, fishing, disc golf and more. Cabins and campsites are available April through
October. The Greenbrier River Trail is a 78-mile long rail trail that is popular
for bicycling, backpacking, cross-country skiing and horseback riding. Located nearby
in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, the Greenbrier is an award-winning resort and
a National Historic landmark with more than 50 recreational activities available including
three championship golf courses, indoor and outdoor tennis courts, a 40,000-square-foot
spa and more. Once a top secret U.S. government relocation facility for Congress, the Buker
at the Greenbrier is now a tourist destination open to the public. A guided tour takes you
behind the scenes to learn about this unique property.
9.Gauley River National Recreation Area Located in southern West Virginia between
the towns of Summersville and Fayetteville, the Gauley River National Recreation Area contains
class III to V rapids and is one of the best places to go whitewater rafting in the eastern
U.S. The 25-mile river passes through scenic gorges and valleys and offers a prime destination
for outdoor adventure. A number of licensed tour operators offer guided rafting trips. The
National Park Service offers primitive camping at a site just below Summersville Dam, and
the Army Corps of Engineers has full-service camping available at Summersville Lake. The
lake offers boating, diving, swimming and more. The rugged cliffs are great for hiking
and climbing.
10.Hatfield and McCoy Trails The Hatfield and McCoy Trail System is one
of the largest off-road vehicle trails systems in the country extending over 600 miles through
West Virginia. Open to ATV's, UTV's and dirt bikes, the trails are open year-round. There
are seven different trails, however, the Pocohantas Trailhead is the newest section and located
in the historic town of Bramwell, where lodging and restaurants are available. These trails
are more scenic and have a lower percentage of difficult sections than some of the other
trail systems. Pinnacle Rock State Park is nearby and features an unusual sandstone
formation reaching 3,100 feet above sea level.
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