West Virginia destinations, parks and attractions
Are you going on a road trip to West Virginia, looking for tips about the destinations so you and your party can enjoy it, be comfortable and not spend a fortune?
Here are some of the top destinations in West Virginia and tips about visiting them
National parks and monuments in West Virginia
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Maine to Georgia, CT,GA,MA,MD,ME,NC,NH,NJ,NY,PA,TN,VA,VT,WV.
The Appalachian Trail is a 2,180+ mile long public footpath that traverses the scenic, wooded, pastoral, wild, and culturally resonant lands of the Appalachian Mountains. Conceived in 1921, built by private citizens, and completed in 1937, today the trail is managed by the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, numerous state agencies and thousands of volunteers.
- Bluestone National Scenic River, Athens, Pipestem, and Hinton, WV.
The Bluestone River and the rugged and ancient gorge it has carved is a richly diverse and scenic area of the southern Appalachians. Bluestone National Scenic River is preserved as a living landscape that provides an unspoiled experience for visitors and a haven for a variety of plants and animals. The park protects a 10.5-mile section of the Bluestone River in southern West Virginia.
- Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, Potomac River, DC,MD,WV.
Preserving America's early transportation history, the C&O Canal began as a dream of passage to Western wealth. Operating for nearly 100 years the canal was a lifeline for communities along the Potomac River as coal, lumber, and agricultural products floated down the waterway to market. Today it endures as a pathway for discovering historical, natural, and recreational treasures.
- Chesapeake Bay National Watershed, Chesapeake Bay Watershed, DC,DE,MD,NY,PA,VA,WV.
NPS helps you learn about and enjoy the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in North America. Here, you can visit major league cities, colonial towns, American Indian landscapes, farms and fishing villages. You can learn to kayak, pick crabs, go fishing, tour a lighthouse, slurp oysters, and slow down to enjoy the natural beauty of the Chesapeake.
- Gauley River National Recreation Area, Summersville, WV.
The 25 miles of free-flowing Gauley River and the six miles of the Meadow River pass through scenic gorges and valleys containing a wide variety of natural and cultural features. The Gauley River contains several class V+ rapids, making it one of the most adventurous white water boating rivers in the east.
- Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Harpers Ferry, WV,VA,MD.
A visit to this quaint, historic community, at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, is like stepping into the past. Stroll the picturesque streets, visit exhibits and museums, or hike our trails and battlefields. Spend a day or a weekend. We have something for everyone, so come and discover Harpers Ferry!
- Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, Sixteen States: IA,ID,IL,IN,KS,KY,MO,MT,NE,ND,OH,OR,PA,SD,WA,WV.
The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail is approximately 4,900 miles long, extending from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the mouth of the Columbia River, near present day Astoria, Oregon. It follows the historic outbound and inbound routes of the Lewis and Clark Expedition as well as the preparatory section from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Wood River, Illinois.
- New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Hinton, Beckley, Glen Jean, and Fayetteville, WV.
A rugged, whitewater river flowing northward through deep canyons, the New River is among the oldest rivers on the continent. The park encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along the New River, is rich in cultural and natural history, and offers an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities.
West Virginia State parks and historic sites
- Audra State Park - 8397 Audra Park Rd, Buckhannon, WV, 26201. Phone: 304-457-1162. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Babcock State Park - 486 Babcock Road, Clifftop, WV, 25831. Phone: 304-438-3004. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Beartown State Park - 4800 Watoga Park Road, Marlinton, WV, 24954. Phone: 304-799-4087. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Beech Fork State Park - 5601 Long Branch Rd, Barboursville, WV, 25504. Phone: 304-528-5794. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Berkeley Springs State Park - 2 S. Washington St., Berkeley Springs, WV, 25411. Phone: 304-258-2711. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Blackwater Falls State Park - 1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd, Davis, WV, 26260. Phone: 304-259-5216. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park - 137 Juliana Street, Parkersburg, WV, 26101. Phone: 304-420-4800. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Bluestone State Park - H.C. 78, Box 3, Hinton, WV, 25951. Phone: 304-466-2805. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Cabwaylingo State Forest - 4279 Cabwaylingo Park Rd, Dunlow, WV, 25511. Phone: 304-385-4255. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Cacapon Resort State Park - 818 Cacapon Lodge Dr., Berkeley Springs, WV, 25411. Phone: 304-258-1022. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Calvin Price State Forest - Phone: 304-799–4087. Email: [email protected]. STARTADDR4800 Watoga Park Rd, Marlinton, WV, 24954ENDADDR Map.
- Camp Creek State Park and Forest - 2390 Camp Creek Road, Camp Creek, WV, 25820. Phone: 304-425-9481. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Canaan Valley Resort State Park - Phone: 304-866-4121. Email: [email protected]. Main Lodge Rd, Davis, WV, 26260
- Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park - 1194 Carnifex Ferry Rd, Summersville, WV, 26651. Phone: 304-872-0825. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Cass Scenic Railroad State Park - 12363 Cass Road, Cass, WV, 24927. Phone: 304-456-4300. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Cathedral State Park - 12 Cathedral Park Drive, Aurora, WV, 26705. Phone: 304-735-3771. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Cedar Creek State Park - 2947 Cedar Creek Rd., Glenville, WV, 26351. Phone: 304-462-8517. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Chief Logan State Park - 1000 Conference Center Drive, Logan WV 25601, Logan, WV, 25601. Phone: 304-855-6100. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Coopers Rock State Forest - 61 County Line Dr., Bruceton Mills, WV, 26525. Phone: 304-594-1561. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park - 683 Droop Park Rd., Hillsboro, WV, 24946. Phone: 304-653-4254. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Fairfax Stone State Park - 1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd, Davis, WV, 26260. Phone: 304-259-5216. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Greenbrier River Trail - 4800 Watoga Park Road, Marlinton, WV, 24954. Phone: 304-799-4087. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Greenbrier State Forest - 1541 Harts Run Rd, Caldwell, WV, 24925. Phone: 304-536-1944. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Hawks Nest State Park - 49 Hawks Nest Park Rd, Ansted, WV, 25812. Phone: 304-658-5212. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Holly River State Park - 680 State Park Rd., Hacker Valley, WV, 26222. Phone: 304-493-6353. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Kanawha State Forest - 7500 Kanawha State Forest Dr, Charleston, WV, 25314. Phone: 304-558-3500. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Kumbrabow State Forest - 219/16, Kumbrabow Rd, Huttonsville, WV, 26273. Phone: 304-335-2219. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Little Beaver State Park - 1402 Grandview Rd., Beaver, WV, 25813. Phone: 304-763-2494. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Lost River State Park - 321 Park Drive, Mathias, WV, 26812. Phone: 304-897-5372. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Moncove Lake State Park - 695 Moncove Lake Access Rd, Gap Mills, WV, 24941. Phone: 304-772-3450. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- North Bend Rail Trail - 202 North Bend State Park Rd, Cairo, WV, 26337. Phone: 304-643-2931. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- North Bend State Park - 202 North Bend State Park Road, Cairo, WV, 26337. Phone: 304-643-2931. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Panther State Forest - 239 Ostenaco Road, Panther, WV, 24872-1200. Phone: 304-938-2252. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Pinnacle Rock State Park - 6407 Coal Heritage Rd., Bramwell, WV, 24715. Phone: 304-425-9481. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Pipestem Resort State Park - 3405 Pipestem Dr, Pipestem, WV, 25979. Phone: 304-466-1800. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Prickett’s Fort State Park - Phone: 304-363-3030. Email: [email protected]. 88 State Park Road, Fairmont, WV, 26554. Map.
- Seneca State Forest - 10135 Browns Creek Road, Dunmore, WV, 24934. Phone: 304-799-6213. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Stonewall Resort State Park - 940 Resort Dr, Roanoke, WV, 26447. Phone: 304-269-7400. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Tomlinson Run State Park - 84 Osage Road, New Manchester, WV, 26056. Phone: 304-564-3651. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Tu-Endie-Wei State Park - #1 Main Street, Point Pleasant, WV, 25550. Phone: 304-675-0869. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Twin Falls Resort State Park - Rte. 97, Mullens, WV, 25882. Phone: 304-294-4000. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Tygart Lake State Park - 1240 Paul E. Malone Rd, Grafton, WV, 26354. Phone: 304-265-6144. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Valley Falls State Park - 720 Valley Falls Rd., Fairmont, WV, 26554. Phone: 304-367-2719. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Watoga State Park - 4800 Watoga Park Rd., Marlinton, WV, 24954. Phone: 304-799-4087. Email: [email protected]. Map.
- Watters Smith Memorial State Park - 831 RR 3, Duck Creek Rd., Lost Creek, WV, 26385. Phone: 304-745-3081. Email: [email protected]. Map.
West Virginia Seasons, bugs, topography and climate
West Virginia is a mountainous and humid eastern state except for a marine modification in the eastern panhandle. ... Mean annual temperatures, reflecting latitude and elevation, range from about 56 °F (13 °C) in the south to 52 °F (11 °C) in the north and 48 °F (9 °C) in the most mountainous regions.
West Virginia Camping tips
- Campgrounds: West Virginia has more than 1,500 campsites at 27 different state parks and forests. Be surrounded by forest views with tent camping at Audra State Park or Coopers Rock State Forest or hook up the RV at and relax lakeside at Beech Fork State Park. Looking for a uniquely West Virginia experience? Try yurt camping at Tomlinson Run State Park or stay overnight in the restored Thorny Mountain Fire Tower at Seneca State Forest.
- Cabins: There are more than 350 cabins that vary in size and feature various accommodations. If you want a quiet getaway for two or a family vacation, we have just the cabin for you. Most cabins have modern amenities, while a few provide a rustic, off-the-grid experience. Different types of cabins are available at different parks across the system. Need help picking the perfect cabin? Give us a call at 1-833-WV-PARKS.
- Lodges: WV has ten lodge parks with a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities and amenities.
There are both state parks and private campgrounds in West Virginia.