CHARLESTON, W.Va. — From the peaks of the Allegheny Mountains to the forested chasm of the New River Gorge, West Virginia is a destination built on adventure, heritage, and heart. It offers everything from small-town charm to rugged outdoor escapes—all within a day's drive of more than half of the U.S. population.
Whether you’re planning a trip or simply exploring what makes this region special, these are the top 20 things West Virginia is famous for. This is what defines West Virginia as "almost heaven" and "wild and wonderful."
1. Appalachian Mountains
West Virginia is the only state located entirely within the Appalachian Mountains, earning it the nickname "the Mountain State." Three well-known ranges within the Appalachians extend through the state—the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Allegheny Mountains, and the Cumberland Mountains.
2. New River Gorge Bridge
Arching 1,700 feet over its namesake gorge, the New River Gorge Bridge was the world's longest single-span arch bridge for 26 years. At 876 feet above the New River, it's one of the highest vehicular bridges in the world. Its completion in 1978 cut travel time across the gorge from 20 minutes to one minute.
3. Forest
West Virginia is the third-most forested state in the U.S., with nearly 75 percent of its land covered in forests, beckoning outdoor enthusiasts with abundant hiking, hunting, and camping opportunities. More than a million acres are included within the Monongahela National Forest and the Washington and Jefferson National Forest in its eastern mountains.
4. Pepperoni Rolls
The pepperoni roll was first commercially produced around 1927 when Giuseppe Argiro, who emigrated from Calabria, Italy, to work in a Clarksburg-area coal mine, opened a bakery in Fairmont. The pepperoni roll is considered a cultural cornerstone of the Monongahela Valley in north central West Virginia.
5. Coal Mining
West Virginia has been one of America's leading coal-producing states for more than a century, with coal mining serving as the backbone of its economy and culture in its southwestern mountains, particularly, though the industry has declined significantly in recent decades. Tourists enjoy visiting old mining ghost towns.
6. John Brown's Raid
Abolitionist John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859 was an effort to initiate a slave revolt in Southern states by taking over the U.S. arsenal at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. The site is now central to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, an hour's drive from Washington, D.C.
7. New River Gorge National Park
The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is renowned worldwide for its rugged river gorge, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, and hiking trails along the New River. It became America's newest national park in 2020. It's also home to one of the world's longest single-span arch bridges and features one of the oldest rivers in North America.
8. The Mothman Legend
In American folklore, "Mothman" is the name given to a humanoid creature that was reportedly encountered around Point Pleasant in 1966 and 1967 and is believed to be linked to the production of provisions there used in the first atomic bomb. As many as 25,000 people attend the annual Mothman festival in September.
9. Bridge Day
Each October, thrill-seekers gather for Bridge Day, which celebrates the completion of the New River Gorge Bridge. One of the biggest extreme sports events in the world, more than 400 parachutists leaped from the span in 2025 before a crowd of more than 120,000 spectators. Bridge Day is one of West Virginia's largest events.
10. Civil War Statehood
West Virginia was admitted to the Union on June 20, 1863, after breaking away from Virginia during the Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln signed the statehood bill on December 31, 1862, making West Virginia the only state formed by separating from another state during wartime.
11. Whitewater Paddling
West Virginia is also known for its whitewater rivers, which attract kayakers and rafters. Altogether, more than 200,000 commercial raft trips are guided on the New, Cheat, Gauley, Potomac, and Shenandoah rivers annually. With smaller crafts, kayakers have access to dozens more whitewater streams that descend from the Allegheny Mountains.
12. The Greenbrier
The Greenbrier is a historic luxury resort renowned for its grand architecture and Southern hospitality. Established in 1778, it's hosted U.S. presidents and dignitaries. Beneath the resort lies a once-secret Cold War-era bunker built to house Congress in the event of a nuclear attack, now open for public tours.
13. "Take Me Home, Country Roads"
“Take Me Home, Country Roads” is a 1971 folk-country song by John Denver that celebrates the beauty and nostalgia of West Virginia’s rural landscape. Widely regarded as one of the most famous and enduring songs in country music history, it evokes a deep sense of longing among many native West Virginians.
14. Appalachian Music
West Virginia ballads, fiddle tunes, and coal miner songs laid the foundation for early country and bluegrass music. Legendary musicians like Hazel Dickens and Brad Paisley, along with songs such as “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” have carried West Virginia’s musical spirit to national and international audiences.
15. Mother's Day
West Virginia is the birthplace of Mother’s Day, which originated in Grafton in 1908. Anna Jarvis held the first official celebration at Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church to honor her late mother and promote appreciation for mothers everywhere. Her campaign led to Mother’s Day becoming a national holiday in 1914.
16. Seneca Rocks
Rising nearly 900 feet above the North Fork of the Potomac River, Seneca Rocks is a prominent and picturesque landmark that attracts climbers and hikers from across the globe. The towering quartzite fins offer challenging climbing routes and breathtaking views, and are part of a system of similar rocks that attract adventurers.
17. Apples
West Virginia is home to the Grimes Golden and Golden Delicious apples, which originated in the state and influenced modern apple breeding. John Chapman, known as "Johnny Appleseed," planted seeds throughout parts of the northern state. The state's Eastern Panhandle produces high-quality apples for national and international markets.
18. Green Bank
Green Bank is home to the Green Bank Observatory and the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope. It sits within the National Radio Quiet Zone, a 13,000-square-mile area established to minimize radio interference for scientific research, preserving the pristine radio environment needed for astronomical observations and studies of the universe.
19. Dolly Sods
Dolly Sods is an iconic wilderness area known for its high-elevation plateaus and striking, tundra-like landscape. Its windswept meadows, bogs, and stunted red spruce trees create scenery more reminiscent of Canada than the Appalachians. It's a popular destination for hiking and backpacking, prized for its rugged beauty, biodiversity, and panoramic views.
20. Hatfields and McCoys
The Hatfield-McCoy feud was a prolonged and bitter conflict between two rural families—the Hatfields of West Virginia and the McCoys of Kentucky—lasting from the 1860s to the 1890s. Disputes over land, resources, and personal grievances escalated into violence and became a symbol of family loyalty characteristic of Appalachia at the time.
What else is West Virginia famous for?
Did we miss something else for which West Virginia is famous? We're sure we did. Please add your recommendations for famous West Virginia facts and locales to our list by commenting at the end of this article.
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