15 Beautiful Places in West Virginia That Make You Wonder Why the State Isn’t Packed With Tourists
West Virginia is one of the most overlooked states in the country, but it hides world-class caves, whitewater, and mountain views that rival those of the Rockies or Appalachians.
With a group of outdoorsmen, I was invited to climb a via Ferrata and go caving by dramatic river gorges near mist-covered mountains. These 17 beautiful places in West Virginia highlight what makes the state such a standout and prove that you don’t need to cross the country for adventure.
1. New River Gorge, Fayetteville
New River Gorge was officially named the US’s 63rd national park in 2020, but locals have been ziplining and whitewater rafting at this adventure destination for decades. The bridge alone is an engineering icon, soaring 876 feet above the New River, one of the oldest rivers in the world. BASE jumpers throw themselves off it every October during Bridge Day.
The gorge is massive, and you have over 70,000 acres of protected land to explore.
Start your day at Canyon Rim Visitor Center before hiking down to the historic Nuttallburg coal town site. Kayak through the gorge or book a rafting trip on the Lower New.
2. Sandstone Falls, Hinton
Sandstone Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in West Virginia, stretching across the entire width of the New River. The falls are easily accessible via a wooden boardwalk, and the best time to visit is in October.
Drive the scenic route from Hinton for a full overlook before getting up close. Nearby Brooks Island is a wildlife management area, and the town of Hinton itself has just enough railroad history and old diners to be worth a visit.
3. Dolly Sods Wilderness, Near Davis
During WWII, the US Army used this place as an artillery range. Beyond that fun fact, Dolly Sods is one of the most surreal landscapes in the eastern US. It looks more like something from Canada or northern Europe than anything south of Pittsburgh.
Trails are rocky, the weather changes fast, and signage isn’t always there to help. But if you’re up for it, you’ll get wide-open meadows, stunted red spruce forests, and moss-covered boulder fields. Bear Rocks Preserve offers one of the best sunrises in the state.
4. Blackwater Falls State Park (Elakala Falls), Davis
The water here runs dark thanks to tannins from fallen leaves and hemlock needles. Blackwater Falls drops 57 feet, and Elakala Falls, just upstream, might be an even bigger hit.
The park has miles of trails and a seasonal sled run that turns adults into kids. Lindy Point is the go-to sunset spot with canyon views, while Pendleton Point Overlook has gentle trails around it.
5. Seneca Rocks, Near Riverton
This is the only difficult peak in the state that cannot be summited without technical climbing. The jagged fins rise 900 feet above the North Fork River and look completely out of place next to the rolling hills around them. During WWII, soldiers trained to climb here before heading off to Europe. These days, it’s a magnet for climbers and hikers.
The hike to the observation platform is under 3 miles round trip but gains 1,000 feet. The view from the top is wild, but watching climbers hang off the vertical rock face is just as entertaining. Nearby Smoke Hole Caverns and Spruce Knob make this an easy stop on a road trip through the region.
6. Babcock State Park (Glade Creek Grist Mill), Clifftop
This is one of those places that pop up in West Virginia calendars and travel brochures. The Glade Creek Grist Mill looks like it time-traveled out of the 1800s and dropped into peak Appalachian forest. Fall is the best time to go when the trees look like they’re on fire.
You can actually go inside the grist mill and learn how the whole water-powered contraption works. The Island in the Sky Trail and Skyline Trail both give you that birds-eye view.
7. Spruce Knob, Near Riverton
At 4,863 feet, Spruce Knob is the highest point in West Virginia. You can drive most of the way up, then walk a short trail loop for panoramic views across multiple states on a clear day. It’s windy up there!
The surrounding Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area is packed with trails. Huckleberry Trail runs along the ridge and connects to the High Meadows and Lumberjack trails. If you’re into stargazing, this is one of the darkest spots on the East Coast.
8. Coopers Rock State Forest, Bruceton Mills
Coopers Rock gets its name from a fugitive barrel maker who supposedly hid out here. The overlook is the star, with views over the Cheat River Canyon, which is especially popular in the fall.
Hiking trails wind through boulder fields and caves. Raven Rock Trail gives you a less crowded, more rugged alternative to the main overlook.
9. Summersville Lake, Summersville
It’s the largest lake in the state, and the water is so clear that locals call it “The Little Bahamas of the East.” You can swim, scuba dive, or paddleboard to cliff-jumping spots around the lake.
Long Point Trail gives you a solid viewpoint over the lake and doesn’t take all day to finish. Sarge’s Dive Shop rents gear and offers tours if you want to go underwater.
10. Harpers Ferry, Harpers Ferry
John Brown’s 1859 raid on the federal armory here was meant to start a slave revolt. It failed, but it set the country on fire politically and helped push the US into the Civil War. Today, Harpers Ferry is part historic village, part Appalachian Trail milestone, and part scenic overlook.
You can stand where Brown stood, walk Civil War battlefields, and shop for fudge within the same five-minute radius. The C&O Canal towpath and Maryland Heights Trail offer top-notch hiking through history. The town is tiny but loaded, and the views of where the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers meet are just as good as everyone says.
11. Hawks Nest State Park, Ansted
If you’ve ever wanted to ride a tram down into a gorge without hiking, Hawks Nest sits above the New River and delivers huge views for minimal effort. The overlook near the lodge is classic, but the real adventure starts when you take the aerial tram down to the river below.
You can book jet boat rides along the river, and the museum tells the story of the Hawks Nest Tunnel disaster, one of the worst industrial tragedies in US history.
12. Cathedral Falls, Gauley Bridge
This roadside waterfall drops 60 feet into a shaded canyon, and it’s one of the tallest and easiest-to-reach waterfalls in the state. Park your car, walk a few feet, and you’re there.
This is more of a hit-and-run stop but a worthwhile one, especially if you’re road-tripping along Route 60.
13. Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, Cass
Cass was once a lumber town, and now you can ride old-school trains pulled by massive Shay locomotives up into the mountains, complete with switchbacks and overlook stops. It’s slower than driving but way more fun.
The restored company town has homes, a depot, and a museum. The Bald Knob route takes you to one of the highest elevations accessible by rail in the state. The Whittaker Station trip is shorter but still packed with views.
14. Lost World Caverns, Lewisburg
Back in 1967, someone found these caverns by literally falling into them. Today, there’s a staircase, thankfully. Lost World Caverns takes you 120 feet below the surface into a massive chamber filled with stalactites and stalagmites.
The guided tours show you how well-preserved the place is, and there’s even a “wild cave” tour if you want to crawl and scramble like a true spelunker. Nearby, Lewisburg is an artsy town with decent food.
15. State Capitol / Charleston Dome, Charleston
The gold dome on West Virginia’s Capitol is coated in an actual 23.5-karat gold leaf. It’s the tallest state capitol dome in the country, even taller than the one in D.C. The building sits along the Kanawha River and looks like it should be in a much bigger city.
Inside, the marble floors, chandeliers, and classic architecture are grander than you’d expect. Take a guided tour or just wander the grounds. Don’t miss the nearby West Virginia State Museum, and the Cultural Center next door often has events and performances.
Catherine, a seasoned travel writer, has lived in 4 different states and explored 36 states and 28 national parks. After spending two years embracing van life, she's now dedicated to sharing her vast knowledge of day trips across America. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.
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