With 37 state parks and recreation areas, nine state forests, and two national recreation areas, West Virginia has the goods to back up its moniker as the Mountain State. The best way to experience it all? Take a week off work, make a list, and hit the road. To help you get started, we rounded up a few of our favorite adventures.
1. Mountain Bike North Fork Mountain Trail
This remote, follows a ridgeline that passes rocky outcroppings that overlook Spruce Knob (the highest point in the state), Seneca Rocks, and the Potomac River valley 2,000 feet below. It鈥檚 so scenic and technically demanding that the International Mountain Biking Association had designated it as an 鈥淓pic鈥 ride, a highly coveted label it only gives to the most beautiful and physically challenging rides in the world. More experienced bikers should get shuttled to the southernmost point and ride north, while newer riders can still enjoy the views and rolling terrain by riding it as an out-and-back from the trailhead off of 聽U.S. Route 33 near the radio tower.
2. Backpack the Dolly Sods Wilderness
Located inside the 919,000-acre in the Allegheny Mountains, the is the perfect place for a day or multi-day hike. The area has flat, rocky plains, upland bogs, beaver ponds, and rolling grasslands鈥攖he ecosystem resembles that of Northern Canada. The best way to see it all: a 10-mile day hike through meadows and stream crossings that starts at , turns right on Breathed Mountain Trail, and finishes the lollipop trail via Red Creek Trail. Looking for an overnight trip? Try the 18-mile loop trip starting at Blackbird Knob Trailhead and heading toward Raven Ridge Trail鈥攜ou can camp anywhere along the trail.
3. Get Hangtime at New River Gorge Bridge
The New River Gorge Bridge is worth a visit anytime of year鈥攖he 876-foot bridge is a marvel of engineering and third-longest single-span arch bridge in the country. And on the third Saturday of every October, it plays host to , one of the largest extreme sports events in the world, when local officials close the bridge to traffic and some 400 BASE jumpers and skydivers (who are otherwise not allowed to jump off the bridge) go absolutely bonkers. Not quite ready to jump out of the sky or off a bridge but looking for a little air time? Sign up for the 700-foot zip line, where a belayer will lower you 300 vertical feet down into the gorge.
4.聽Raft on聽骋补耻濒别测听搁颈惫别谤
Named one of the most adventurous whitewater rivers in the world, the聽 features more than 20 miles of virtually nonstop rapids. It鈥檚 not for the faint of heart鈥攜ou need to be in good shape and at least 15 years old to take part in the fun. For the biggest thrill ride, head there in the fall when they release the聽Summersville聽Dam. If you have聽young kids or are simply looking for a more relaxing experience, try the class I and II Upper聽New River, which alternates from small rapids to calm pools and allows paddlers to take in the scenic beauty and jump in the swimming holes along the way. Several rafting outfitters located along the rivers聽run half-day, single-day, and multi-day trips聽starting at $79.
5. Learn how to be a Mountain Man
There鈥檚 a reason West Virginia is known as the Mountain State. It鈥檚 home to three ranges鈥擜llegheny, Appalachian, and Cumberland鈥攁nd boasts a proud and vibrant tradition of , which you can see on display at the . At the event, which聽is held every September on the 140-acre campus of the North American Bushcraft School,聽you can learn about everything from timber framing and preparing wild plants to backyard blacksmithing and tomahawk throwing. And that鈥檚 just during the day: The kid-friendly event also features evening bonfires and old-time music well into the evening.
6. Climb at Seneca Rocks
While the toothy crags at are best known for multipitch climbs and tough ratings (most climbs fall in the 5.7-5.11 range), there are plenty of intermediate-friendly routes as well. The lower slabs have some great top-roping routes, but it can get really busy鈥攂e sure to get there early on the weekend to get a spot. It鈥檚 also a great place to learn how to climb. The , one of the oldest climbing schools in the country, has beginner-friendly, single-day courses starting at $65.
7. Float the Potomac River
If the Gauley River (see #4) is the whitewater-rafting equivalent of a white-knuckle rollercoaster ride, the offers a more family-friendly, PG-rated adventure. The best way to experience its mellower (Class I to III) waters is to grab a tube and a cooler and float for up to three and a half hours down the two-and-a-half-mile stretch. You鈥檒l pass the historic town of Harpers Ferry and five-star picnic spots. Get an all-day pass and a rental tube starting at $20 at Harpers Ferry 国产吃瓜黑料 Center so you can get shuttled to the beginning as many times as you鈥檇 like.
8. Scuba dive at Summersville Lake
The town of Summersville, located in the middle of the state, is home to the east of the Mississippi River. With depths reaching 327 feet and shoreline stretching over 60 miles, it鈥檚 the largest and deepest lake in the state, making it the ideal place to be on a hot summer day.聽Dive on your own or take classes through and you鈥檒l find rock cliffs, boulders, and swim-throughs under the surface that will keep you entertained for hours.
9. Ride the High Road
The Parkway section of 鈥攁 22.5-mile state highway that鈥檚 closed to commercial truck traffic鈥攐ffers some of the most stunning views in the state. The best way to savor them? On a road bike. 聽With more than 2,200 feet of climbing, it鈥檚 a serious ride, but the sweeping vistas of Allegheny Mountains and river valleys along the way are worth the effort. Do it right: Arrange to have someone pick you up at one end or the other and go in mid- to late聽October, when the leaves are at peak intensity.
10.聽 Conquer Your Fears
There are plenty of opportunities to test yourself both mentally and physically at . Navigate the seven high-rope obstacles, fly through the air on eight dual zip聽lines, swing 60 feet above the ground overlooking the town, or build your biking skills on some technical singletrack. Get unlimited access to the entire park for $50 per person per day. And if one day isn鈥檛 enough to enjoy it all, stay in one of their eight on-site cabins that sleep up to 12 people.
11. Savor Some Local Craft Beer
West Virginia is home to , but two stand out because of聽their ideal locations and award-winning beer. Located at the gateway to the聽Monongahela聽National Forest,聽 is聽the ideal post-adventure watering hole. This bring-your-own-food taproom聽is the perfect place to relax and refuel after sampling some of the 500 miles of trout streams nearby聽or a聽climb at聽Seneca Rocks. Have one of their craft beers鈥攊ncluding their聽Big Timber Porter or IPA鈥攐r grab some of their 16-ounce聽cans to take with you the next time you hit the trail.聽Or, if you find yourself thirsty after a hike at聽Dolly Sods, stop at聽聽located at the north right corner聽of聽Monongahela National Forest. Voted the state’s “Best New Brewery” by in 2015,聽Stumptown聽has several hoppy beers on tap and a farm-to-table food truck is often parked right out front.
Plan your next adventure using the or using their app,聽Wild, Wonderful West Virginia (available on Appstore and Google聽Play.)