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.
Hikers up for a challenge are invited to join in a free 9.5-mile trek at Pipestem Resort State Park on May 27, part of the state park system’s 100-mile hiking challenge. Led by the volunteer team of Mark and Donna Barton of Princeton, West Virginia, the hike will be steady-paced and not an interpretive walk, according … Read more
The National Park Service is recruiting volunteers to assist in staffing its visitor center at Grandview, near Beckley, West Virginia, this summer in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, according to National Park Service officials. The center is open daily in summer from noon until 5 p.m., and ideal volunteers will able to … Read more
Summer officially starts June 21, but Canaan Valley Resort marks the season Memorial Day with an eventful long weekend that includes hikes, wagon rides, dinner theater, and a golf tournament. General manager Steve Drumheller said the staff has designed the weekend to introduce or re-familiarize visitors with the resort and Canaan Valley Resort State Park … Read more
A new report issued by the National Park Service indicates 1,347,957 visitors to national parks in southern West Virginia spent $58,604,300 in nearby communities in 2016. That spending supported 877 jobs and had a cumulative benefit to local economies of $67,089,900, according to Lizzie Watts, superintendent of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, … Read more
In its second summer in the historic White Oak depot at Oak Hill, W.Va., The Depot Produce & More is increasing its variety of fresh produce and introducing a weekly service through which customers may pre-order produce for pick-up or delivery. Grocer Joyce Brenemen, who reopened the store May 1, said she and her husband, … Read more
At the peak of woodland wildflower season in West Virginia, Babcock State Park is offering midweek discounts at its rustic and classic cabins. Guests who rent a cabin for two-or-more consecutive nights will receive a 20-percent discount through May 24, 2017. Each year visitors from throughout the U.S. visit the park to photograph its landmark … Read more
The popular “Birding Around the Sun” nature hikes will return to Kanawha State Forest this May, and, for the third year, the hikes will be led by Sara Miller, a seasonal naturalist for two years who’s returning as a volunteer naturalist this year. Miller has recorded many species seen and heard in the forest since the beginning … Read more
Just east of Beckley, in southern West Virginia, Piney Creek descends into a gorge that wanders the tablelands south of the New River Gorge. Near its upper end, the stream winds through what’s known geologically as an “entrenched meander,” the bending course of which has been trapped or entrenched by mountains that have been uplifted around it. Meanders in … Read more
May is a magical month in the Canaan Valley, where visitors may stroll fields of Allegheny wildflowers while being serenaded by songbirds. Officials at its premier state park, Canaan Valley Resort, have scheduled a line-up of programs designed to enhance the appeal of spring in the highland valley. “I’ve lived and worked in Canaan Valley for more than … Read more
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice announced late Tuesday that he is ending a plan proposed by the the Division of Natural Resources to charge visitors an entrance fee at several state parks and a state forest. The Governor called the division’s announcement an error and ordered the pilot program canceled. The initiative was put in motion without the … Read more
