Destinations in West Virginia

5 destinations to explore

Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Trail in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
Trail

Appalachian National Scenic Trail

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

The Appalachian Trail is a 2,190+ 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, Park Site in Pipestem, West Virginia
Park Site

Bluestone National Scenic River

Pipestem, West Virginia

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.

Gauley River National Recreation Area, Recreation Area in Glen Jean, West Virginia
Recreation Area

Gauley River National Recreation Area

Glen Jean, West Virginia

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, Historical Park in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
Historical Park

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

At the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, on the ancestral home of the Tuscarora and Shawnee people, lies Harpers Ferry. Here you can explore John Brown's Raid against slavery. Find your connection to the struggle for freedom, education, and civil rights at Storer College. Discover miles of trail in the Blue Ridge and along Civil War battlefields.

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, Park Site in Glen Jean, West Virginia
Park Site

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

Glen Jean, West Virginia

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.