Natural Wonders

ALMA, W.Va. — When lightning struck one of the world’s most powerful gas wells in 1895, flames reportedly leaped 200 feet into the air, illuminating the rural countryside as crowds traveled to see what a Parkersburg newspaper described as a scene both “grand and awful.” The spectacle lasted only about two hours. Gas escaped from … Read more

CHARLESTON, W.Va.— Long before the Ohio River existed and long before humans set foot in North America, a massive river flowed across what is now West Virginia. Known as the Teays River, the ancient waterway drained a vast portion of the Appalachian region and helped shape the Mountain State’s landscape millions of years before it … Read more

Visible from the historic Midland Trail near Gauley Bridge, Cathedral Falls has become one of the state’s most beloved and photographed natural wonders. GAULEY BRIDGE, W.Va. — Most of West Virginia’s great waterfalls require effort. Visitors hike mountain trails, navigate winding forest roads, or venture deep into remote valleys to discover them. Some of the … Read more

DAVIS, W.Va. — West Virginia’s rugged mountains, steep gorges and high-elevation streams have created hundreds of waterfalls across the state. While some are known for their width or scenic beauty, others stand out for their height. From the iconic Blackwater Falls to the towering cascades hidden in the Monongahela National Forest, these are the highest … Read more

HILLSBORO, W.Va. — Tucked away in the rugged mountains of eastern West Virginia, a series of waterfalls that many travelers have never heard of draws thousands of visitors each year. The Falls of Hills Creek, located within the Monongahela National Forest near the community of Hillsboro, features three waterfalls cascading through a narrow mountain gorge. … Read more