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.
Fans of Pipestem Resort State Park and outdoor entertainment may wish to invest in a season-long amphitheater pass being provided for the first time. Sixteen varied engagements are scheduled on the stage in the Summers County highlands from May 24 until August 23, and officials expect the package to appeal to frequent guests, according to Kim Hawkins, … Read more
The July 1 transfer of management of Canaan Valley Resort State Park to a second hospitality-management company won’t likely result in obvious changes, according to officials at the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. The new management company, which operates lodges and resorts in Ohio, Iowa, Colorado, Minnesota, and South Dakota, is not anticipated to significantly … Read more
Three state park golf courses in West Virginia are providing guests full-season 2014 passes that include lodge stays, meal discounts, and access to other park courses. According to the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources, passes are now available at Twin Falls, Pipestem, and Cacapon resorts and include two rounds of golf at other state park courses, … Read more
LANSING, W.Va. — The Endless Wall Trail and adjacent climbing access areas above the New River south of the New River Gorge Bridge have been reopened to the public following a forest fire that was declared 100 percent contained and controlled today, April 27, 2014. Ranger Leah Perkowski-Siski announced in a press release at 10:06 … Read more
UPDATE (9:47 a.m., 4-24-2014): The fire that swept the wall of the New River Gorge southeast of the New River Gorge Bridge was 90 percent contained as of 9 a.m. Thursday morning, according to ranger Leah Perkowski-Sisk of the National Park Service. Based on the weather forecast and continued suppression efforts, she said, full containment … Read more
I finally made it to Fort Scammon, a Civil War-era earthwork atop what’s now Fort Hill in Charleston, West Virginia, No one died at the fort, or because of it, and historians can’t affirm that any artillery was ever even fired from its now-grassy battlements. By the time Union soldiers finished building the fort, the war in the Kanawha … Read more
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Birding programs, wildflower walks, and discounted cabin rates are among the spring tonics being proffered in West Virginia state parks and forests in 2014. Fifteen state parks are offering discounts of 20-percent off of mid-week rates at cabins through May 2, according to Sissie Summers, programming coordinator for the state park system, … Read more
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With warm weather approaching, West Virginia State Parks are looking for certified lifeguards for many of the areas that offer public swimming during the summer, according to a press release published April 9, 2014, by the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources. The state parks system manages 26 public swimming facilities, including Tygart … Read more
West Virginia Explorer has unveiled its new Guide to Ramp Feasts & Festivals, but our work is not yet done. Visit our guide to explore ramp feeds throughout West Virginia, and keep coming back as we add more to our roster. Please also let ramp dinner hosts know of our list and urge them to … Read more
Long a highlight of a trek along a remote reach of the Meadow River in the Gauley River National Recreation Area, the Carnifex Tunnel will close permanently at the end of March after having been deemed irreparably unsafe. Located along the grade of a former railroad, the tunnel had been used chiefly in recent decades … Read more
