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Attractions

See our Attractions Travel Guide

Attractions in West Virginia offer something for every traveler, from stunning natural landscapes and historic landmarks to family-friendly adventures and vibrant cultural sites.

 

Visitors can marvel at iconic destinations such as the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, explore Harpers Ferry’s rich history, or enjoy the scenic beauty of Blackwater Falls and Seneca Rocks. Charming mountain towns, local museums, unique shops, and lively festivals add to the state’s welcoming atmosphere. Outdoor enthusiasts will find endless opportunities for hiking, rafting, rock climbing, and wildlife watching. With its blend of outdoor fun, heritage, and small-town charm, West Virginia’s attractions make every trip unforgettable, showcasing the best of Appalachian adventure and hospitality. Be sure to visit our Attractions Travel Guide for more information about attractions in West Virginia.

Visitors at Glade Creek Grist Mill
Attractions

Retired administrator warns against state parks privatization

by David Sibray

The West Virginia Legislature this week is considering the privatization of the state’s park system. Mark Wylie, retired parks district administrator and long-time superintendent at Babcock and Watoga state parks is warning West Virginians that the bills have dire implications. “The recent legislative introduction of Senate Bill 485 and its companion, House Bill 4408, means … Read more

Cairn on a West Virginia ridge. Photo courtesy Charity Moore.
Attractions

Some mysterious W.Va. rock features may have sacred origins

by Charity Moore Norton

Editor’s Note: If you’re familiar with the outdoors in West Virginia, you’ve likely seen rocks piled in what might seem “the middle of nowhere.” Many were stacked by settlers and farmers, but others are prehistoric and sacred, according to archaeologist Charity Moore, who’s cataloging their forms and locations. During a routine archaeological survey in Doddridge … Read more

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
Attractions

Harpers Ferry park proposes closure of Maryland Heights parking

by David Sibray

National Park Service officials say that after careful consideration they propose permanently closing parking areas at Maryland Heights at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. The parking areas have been closed since March 2020, originally as a COVID-19 safety protocol, but park officials have maintained the closures because of parking safety-related incidents in the area. Such … Read more

Deep indentions decorate some of the Honeycomb Rocks near Marlinton, West Virginia.
Attractions

West Virginia trail leads through garden of strange rocks

by David Sibray

MARLINTON, W.Va. — Wherever you turn in West Virginia, you’re bound to find remarkable rocks, cliffs, and boulders, and some of them may appear bizarrely unnatural. One such astonishing garden of boulders hidden in the mountains of Pocahontas County appears so unnatural that it’s hard to believe human hands haven’t carved their surfaces. Geometric forms—cones, … Read more

Maryland Heights, rises above the Potomac River near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.
Attractions

Harpers Ferry and nearby national parks to cull deer herds

by Will Reedy

The National Park Service will conduct deer management at national park areas at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, and in nearby Virginia and Maryland through March, according to a press release from the service. To protect and restore native plants, promote healthy and diverse forests, and preserve historic landscapes, the service will reduce the population beginning … Read more