With some of the most beautiful, rugged, and mountainous scenery, there are plenty of incredible outdoor travel attractions to experience in West Virginia. With so many activities for outdoor recreation, the state is a hub for hiking, fishing, and kayaking. Of course, true adventure seekers can even experience some whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and ATVing. Even during the winter months, travelers can soak up some of the best cross country skiing and snowboarding in the United States. To help you start planning, read on to learn about the incredible West Virginia outdoor travel attractions for adventure seekers.
OK, let’s start out with the bad news. John Denver’s signature song, Take Me Home, Country Roads, is a beautiful song about almost being in heaven in West Virginia. But……..it isn’t. The song is about Maryland! Despite that, it has become a tradition and is sung at every WVU Mountaineer college football home game, and is the official slogan of West Virginia tourism. Now the great news. Everything else you will be reading is about West Virginia!
It is the only state that is completely immersed by a mountain range (the Appalachian Mountains), giving it its nickname the “Mountain State.” With its rugged scenery, the state is an excellent destination for your slow travel vacations. West Virginia is usually not at the top of the list for vacation destinations but when you look a little deeper, you will find a variety of interesting things to do. Outdoor activities, history, local food and music, and all around beautiful nature will keep you going for a full vacation.
West Virginia National Parks
There are six National Parks in this state.
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- Appalachian National Scenic Trail
- Bluestone National Scenic River
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
- Chesapeake Bay Watershed
- Gauley River National Recreation Area
- Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
- New River Gorge National River
You can go to one website or call to book accommodations offered in the 35 state parks. Here are three that are pretty unique and stand out.
Head To Tomlinson Run Park
Tomlinson Run Park is an excellent destination to visit along the Ohio River. While there is exceptional hiking, swimming, and paddle boarding here, the site is most well-known for its camping. For beginner campers, consider yurt rentals at Tomlinson Run, West Virginia. Here, you can rent up to a five-person yurt, which will come complete with a stove, lights, lantern, and cookware. Depending on your preferences, there are two main different types of yurt for travelers to choose from. If you consider yourself a value tourist, you may want to go with the smaller, 12 ft yurt, which starts at $40 a night. On the other hand, if you are planning a family camping vacation, you may want to splurge on a 20 ft, as the extra space can be nice.
Visit Seneca State Forest
Located above the forest, the 1935 restored Thorny Mountain Fire Tower offers amazing views. Located in Seneca State Forest, you should make your reservations a year in advance because it books up fast. 2021 is already booked solid. On May 1, 2022 you can book for the month of May 2022. June 1 for June 2022, etc…$ 90/night
Seneca State Forest also has eight cabins that give an experience of what pioneer life was like. You are surrounded by Pocahontas County forest and mountains. These are rustic cabins and do not have electricity or running water. That just adds to the charm! Showers and laundry machines are available for use in the forest office. There are some pet-friendly cabins available. First night of the season is April 9. One bedroom is $74 Sun thru Thurs. Higher pricing on the weekends. For info and reservations at all the 35 state parks call 833-WVPARKS or go to www.WVStateParks.com
Experience White Water Rafting
West Virginia is the state to come to for whitewater rafting. The snowmelt from the Appalachian Mountains in the spring fills the Gauley and New River. The 26-mile river drops 650 feet. The upper Gauley rapids drop 15 to 35 feet.
The Lower New provides some of the best rapids and the broadest range of water levels in the U.S. The water level drop moments on the river gives rafters time to relax and enjoy the beauty of the gorge in between boat-soaking waves. You also get a spectacular floating view of the New River Gorge Bridge.
With lots of beautiful scenery along the way, the Lower Gauley also has whitewater rapids with names like Koontz’s Flume, Canyon Doors, Mash, and Pure Screaming Hell. They will have paddlers bracing for them as they head downstream. The 13-mile section of the Lower Gauley offers Class III to IV rapids without the physical demands of the Upper Gauley. You will see amazing canyons and cliffsides.
Beware that this is not the river for beginners, especially those just learning to kayak or raft. Even with the help of experienced guides, you will need some prior experience on how to maneuver along a river. If you consider yourself a water sports expert, you may want to check out the river during the Autumn season, when the Summersville Dam is released. During this period, the water flow will surge tremendously, creating an incredible rafting experience for over a month.
The Upper Gauley is a full day outing. There are many rapids to experience there. It is one of the best whitewater trips in the country.
Experience A Canopy Tour
While you are at New River Gorge try the Treetops Canopy Tour. This activity consists of 10 ziplines, five sky bridges, short hikes, and a rappel at the end. Minimum 90 lbs required. You will meet them at the Mill Creek Campus, building # 8. If you need to stop by the main office, it is building # 1. $79 adults. $49 ages 10-12 www.adventuresonthegorge.com
Looking for a nice accommodation in the area? Glen Ferris Inn will fit the bill. Nine of their rooms face the Kanawha Falls on the New River with a restaurant overlooking the falls. The New Gorge Bridge is 20 minutes away and the city of Charleston 45 minutes.
Experience The Great Outdoors In Elkins, WV
There are plenty of options in the area for travelers who enjoy participating in outdoor activities. In Elkins, for example, tourists can partake in hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing. You can even head over to the Monongahela National Forest for some horseback riding. There is also a comprehensive auto tour for Civil War history enthusiasts. Following this tour, you can stop by historical destinations such as Camp Allegheny or Fort Summit.
Try Your Hand At Rock Climbing
As the Mountain State, there are plenty of places to experience rock climbing in West Virginia. Even if you are a beginner, there are easy rock climbing attractions to try your hand at. Some of the best destinations for beginners include Via Ferrata at Nelson Rocks Preserve, the Pinnacle at New River Gorge, and Gunsight to South Peak at Seneca Rocks. At the base of Seneca Rocks, be sure to check out the Discovery Center, which attracts rock climbers from all over the globe. Of course, one of the most famous West Virginia climbing destinations is at Summersville Lake, where visitors will actually climb out of the water.
Visit Some State Parks & West Virginia Waterfalls
Of course, there are also great state parks at Canaan Valley and Blackwater Falls. Here, you can experience some of West Virginia’s best mountain biking, skiing, and hiking, for year-round fun.
Winter In West Virginia
As an all-seasons travel destination, there is plenty to do during the winter at West Virginia. From snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, as well as downhill and cross-country skiing, there is something for everyone in West Virginia. Great skiing and great hiking trails can be found at Snowshoe Mountain 877-441-4386 www.snowshoemtn.com, in the Allegheny Mountains.
Travelers that are inexperienced on the slopes may even want to try their hand at ice skating or fishing. If you are visiting during the winter, you should also be sure to visit Glade Creek Grist Mill, New River Gorge, and Coopers Rock State Forest. If you have time to take in more scenery, be sure to additionally stop by the Philippi Covered Bridge and Canaan Valley Resort State Park. If you are still interested in experiencing more incredible recreational activities elsewhere, be sure to check out our official Montana outdoor travel and adventure guide.
Eat Some Fresh West Virginia Produce
Golden Delicious, a variety of yellow apples, are native to West Virginia. It has a red blush to it. The best times for these are September and October. There are terms to learn when picking apples. A “Half-Peck” is roughly 5 Lbs and a “Peck” is 10 Lbs of apples.
Spring Valley Farm and Orchard is a family farm of 355 acres of fruits and vegetables in Romney. They have a FB page and you can reach them at 304-822-7913. If you want to stay in or near Romney, The Koolwink is a family-owned motel for 70 years. $79 for 2 guests. 304-822-3595 or www.koolwink.com
Orr’s Farm Market in Martinsburg lets you pick apples and other fruits May thru October. The schedule of availability is listed on the website. Learn more at www.orrsfarmmarket.com.
Rellim Orchard in Kearneysville has a saying ” If we sell it we grew it”. They grow 29 different varieties of Apples from summer into the fall. Mid-September you will find the Empire and the Golden Delicious. Tuesday’s and Saturday’s you can pick your own. Half peck $5 and a peck for $9. www.rellimorchard.com
Go Mushroom Hunting
Another cool outdoor activity to do is seeking out the Morel Mushroom. It is pretty easy to recognize them out in the woods and they are very tasty. These delicious, expensive, and exclusive mushrooms are an extremely hot commodity in the food world. They are avidly hunted every year by mushroom hunters, looking to use them in fine dining restaurants, or sell them at organic markets. Of course, these mushrooms are most commonly found at the Canaan Valley in Northeastern WV. At the same time, these luxurious mushrooms can be found in the Monongahela National Forest, especially at higher elevations within the park.
Try Some Authentic West Virginia Cuisine
A West Virginia tradition is grabbing breakfast at Tudor’s Biscuit World. The locals just know it as Tudor’s. They have locations across the state and you should try one of the 19 well-known biscuit sandwiches on their menu. Learn more at tudorbiscuitworld.com
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