Destinations
West Virginia outdoors
Whitewater rivers, a mile-deep gorge, and nearly a million acres of mountain forest packed into one compact state.
Top parks in West Virginia
See all 47 parks
New River Gorge
A 53-mile river gorge with world-class climbing, big whitewater, and the iconic New River Gorge Bridge.
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
A restored 19th-century town at the dramatic meeting of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, where you park at the visitor center and ride a free shuttle into Lower Town.
Babcock State Park
A 4,127-acre southern West Virginia park near the New River Gorge, home to the Glade Creek Grist Mill, one of the most photographed sights in the state, plus log cabins, a campground, and 20 miles of trail.
Blackwater Falls State Park
A West Virginia highlands classic near Davis: the amber-tinted 57-foot Blackwater Falls reached by a boardwalk of more than 200 steps, the Lindy Point overlook, a lodge, cabins, and a campground.
Canaan Valley Resort State Park
West Virginia's four-season mountain resort park at 3,400 feet on a high Allegheny plateau, with 26 ski trails, 55 miles of hiking and biking trail, a championship golf course, a 160-room lodge, 23 cabins, and a spring-to-fall campground.
Coopers Rock State Forest
A 12,700-acre state forest above the Cheat River Gorge near Morgantown, famous for its sandstone overlook 1,000 feet above the river, a network of moderate trails, rock climbing, and a reservable campground at McCollum.
Hawks Nest State Park
A 276-acre park perched 585 feet above the New River with one of the most dramatic gorge overlooks in the eastern United States, a 31-room cliffside lodge, a recently rebuilt aerial tramway, and direct access to the river for jet-boat tours and fishing.
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park offers historic steam train rides, logging heritage, scenic mountain views, hiking and cabins in West Virginia.
Pipestem State Park
Pipestem Resort State Park offers ziplines, an aerial tramway, golf, dining, cabins and lodges on the Bluestone River Gorge in West Virginia.
Planning a West Virginia trip
West Virginia is one big mountain playground, and it does not waste your time getting you to the good stuff. The headline draw is the New River Gorge, a deep, rugged canyon famous for whitewater rafting, world-class rock climbing, and over 50 miles of trails that range from flat overlook walks to steep scrambles. But the state has far more than its one national park. The 920,000-acre Monongahela National Forest covers the eastern highlands with more than 800 miles of trail, including Spruce Knob, the state's highest point at 4,863 feet, plus the windswept meadows of Dolly Sods and the dramatic spires of Seneca Rocks.
For state parks, start with the classics. Blackwater Falls in Tucker County drops an amber-colored river over a 57-foot ledge and anchors a high-country basecamp alongside Canaan Valley. Closer to the gorge, Hawks Nest delivers a jaw-dropping canyon overlook and a jet-boat ride on the New River, while Babcock is home to the much-photographed Glade Creek Grist Mill. Cass Scenic Railroad runs restored steam locomotives up to mountain views.
Timing is mostly about elevation. Late spring through early summer brings the biggest, safest whitewater and green, comfortable hiking weather. Summer days run warm, often in the 80s F in the valleys and noticeably cooler up high. Fall is the marquee season: color arrives in the high Potomac Highlands in late September, peaks across mid-elevation parks like Babcock and Cass in early to mid October, and finishes in the southern and lower areas in late October, giving you nearly a month of leaf-peeping. Winters are cold and snowy at elevation, with skiing at Canaan Valley and Snowshoe.
What to pack reflects how vertical and wet this state is. Sturdy, broken-in hiking shoes with real grip handle slick rock and rooty descents. Bring layers for the temperature swing between valley floor and ridgeline, plus a rain shell, since mountain weather turns fast. If you are heading to the river, quick-dry clothing and water shoes earn their place. In the high country, pack warmer than the forecast suggests.
Getting around West Virginia
The main front door is West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW) in Charleston, served by American, Delta, and United and sitting near the junction of three interstates, which makes it an easy launch point. For the eastern highlands, some travelers also fly into Washington Dulles or Pittsburgh and drive in, since those hubs have more flights and can be closer to the Potomac Highlands depending on your route.
From Charleston, the New River Gorge is the quick win: roughly 70 to 75 miles southeast on I-64 and US-19, about 1.5 hours of driving. The eastern parks are a bigger commitment. Blackwater Falls and Canaan Valley sit around 3 hours east of Charleston, and Seneca Rocks is roughly 170 miles out, about 3.5 hours. Plan on slow, winding mountain two-lanes once you leave the interstates, so build in extra time and do not trust the straight-line mileage.
A practical way to think about it: the New River Gorge region (with Hawks Nest and Babcock nearby) is one cluster, and the Potomac Highlands (Blackwater Falls, Canaan Valley, Dolly Sods, Seneca Rocks, Spruce Knob, Cass) is another. Linking the two is a half-day drive of 3 to 4 hours, so most trips pick one cluster as a base rather than trying to do both in a weekend. A car is essential here; there is no meaningful transit between the outdoor areas, and cell service drops out in the deep gorges and high forest.
All 7 West Virginia park guides
State park directory
Every West Virginia state park
A source-backed inventory layer for planning breadth. Full Kit Authority guides are marked when a park has camping detail, rules, and packing notes; the rest link straight to the official page. Looking for rail trails and state trails? They have their own Trail Guide.
44 parks
5 full guides · 42 with photos
Babcock State Park
State Park
Babcock State Park is home to the iconic Glade Creek Grist Mill and offers scenic hiking trails, cabins, camping, boating and fishing.
- Hiking
- Cabins
- Camping
- Boating
West Virginia State Parks
Full guideBlackwater Falls State Park
State Park
Blackwater Falls State Park features breathtaking scenery, iconic waterfalls, trails and family-friendly adventures in West Virginia.
- Hiking
- Nature Trails
West Virginia State Parks
Full guideCanaan Valley Resort State Park
State Park
Canaan Valley Resort State Park offers skiing, hiking trails, lodge stays, cabins and year-round outdoor recreation in West Virginia.
- Winter Sports
- Hiking
- Cabins
West Virginia State Parks
Full guideCoopers Rock State Forest
State Forest
Coopers Rock State Forest is known for iconic overlooks, scenic hiking trails, rock climbing and breathtaking views in West Virginia.
- Hiking
- Climbing
West Virginia State Parks
Full guideHawks Nest State Park
State Park
Hawks Nest State Park offers stunning overlooks, hiking trails, a scenic aerial tram and water recreation in West Virginia.
- Hiking
- Boating
West Virginia State Parks
Full guideAudra State Park
State Park
Audra State Park in north-central West Virginia features wooded hiking trails, swimming holes, river views and campsites along the Middle Fork River.
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Camping
West Virginia State Parks
Official pageBeartown State Park
State Park
Beartown State Park is a 110-acre natural area on Droop Mountain in Greenbrier County where wooden boardwalks wind through massive rock formations.
- Hiking
- Nature Trails
West Virginia State Parks
Official pageBeech Fork State Park
State Park
Beech Fork State Park offers lake camping, boating, fishing, hiking trails and peaceful waterfront recreation in West Virginia.
- Camping
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
West Virginia State Parks
Official pageBerkeley Springs State Park
State Park
Berkeley Springs State Park offers historic mineral baths, wellness programs, scenic trails, shopping and dining in West Virginia.
- Hiking
- Historic Site
West Virginia State Parks
Official pageBlennerhassett Island Historical State Park
State Park
Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park is a historic Ohio River island near Parkersburg featuring a Palladian mansion and history museum.
- Historic Site
West Virginia State Parks
Official pageBluestone State Park
State Park
Bluestone State Park offers boating, fishing, hiking, camping and scenic views at Bluestone Lake in West Virginia.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Camping
West Virginia State Parks
Official pageCabwaylingo State Forest
State Forest
Cabwaylingo State Forest covers 8,296 forested acres in southern West Virginia with scenic hiking trails, camping and cabins near Dunlow.
- Hiking
- Camping
- Cabins
West Virginia State Parks
Official pageCacapon Resort State Park
State Park
Cacapon Resort State Park offers scenic hiking, golfing, lake activities, cabins, a spa and year-round outdoor recreation in West Virginia.
- Hiking
- Golf
- Cabins
- Swimming
West Virginia State Parks
Official pageCalvin Price State Forest
State Forest
Calvin Price State Forest covers more than 9,000 acres of mixed forest in eastern West Virginia with trails for hiking and hunting near Marlinton.
- Hiking
- Hunting
West Virginia State Parks
Official pageCarnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park
State Park
Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park is a 156-acre Civil War battle site set on the rim of the Gauley River Canyon in West Virginia.
- Historic Site
West Virginia State Parks
Official pageCass Scenic Railroad State Park
State Park
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park offers historic steam train rides, logging heritage, scenic mountain views, hiking and cabins in West Virginia.
- Historic Site
- Hiking
- Cabins
West Virginia State Parks
Official pageCathedral State Park
State Park
Cathedral State Park is West Virginia's largest old-growth forest, a 133-acre National Natural Landmark with one of the largest stands of virgin hemlock.
- Hiking
- Nature Trails
- Wildlife Viewing
West Virginia State Parks
Official pageCedar Creek State Park
State Park
Cedar Creek State Park spans 2,588 wooded acres near Glenville in central West Virginia, with rolling hills and valleys backing a variety of recreation.
West Virginia State Parks
Official pageChief Logan State Park
State Park
Chief Logan State Park offers scenic hiking trails, camping areas and picnic spots amid peaceful woodland surroundings in West Virginia.
- Hiking
- Camping
- Picnicking
West Virginia State Parks
Official pageDroop Mountain Battlefield State Park
State Park
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park lies in the Greenbrier River Valley north of Lewisburg and is part of the Civil War Discovery Trail.
- Historic Site
West Virginia State Parks
Official pageFairfax Stone State Park
State Park
Fairfax Stone State Park is a four-acre site named for the Fairfax Stone, a 1700s surveyor's marker that settled a Maryland and Virginia land dispute.
- Historic Site
West Virginia State Parks
Official pageGreenbrier State Forest
State Forest
Greenbrier State Forest offers scenic trails, camping, hunting and picnicking in a forest setting in West Virginia.
- Hiking
- Camping
- Hunting
- Picnicking
West Virginia State Parks
Official pageHolly River State Park
State Park
Holly River State Park is West Virginia's second largest state park, offering 8,101 acres of forested mountains, hiking trails, cabins and camping.
- Hiking
- Cabins
- Camping
West Virginia State Parks
Official pageKanawha State Forest
State Forest
Kanawha State Forest near Charleston offers scenic hiking trails, mountain biking, picnic areas and peaceful forest views.
- Hiking
- Biking
- Picnicking
West Virginia State Parks
Official page
Inventory source: USGS PAD-US 4.1. Photos are public-domain or Creative Commons via Wikimedia Commons, credited per image. Official reservations and rules remain state-specific, so use the state booking links before committing to dates.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best national park in West Virginia?
West Virginia has one national park, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, and it is an outstanding one. It protects a deep river canyon known for whitewater rafting, some of the best rock climbing in the East, and more than 50 miles of hiking and biking trails. The iconic New River Gorge Bridge overlook is a must-see, especially in fall.
When is the best time to visit West Virginia parks?
Late spring through early summer is ideal for whitewater and green, comfortable hiking, while fall is the standout for color. Because the state spans a wide range of elevations, foliage runs nearly a month: high country like Spruce Knob and Dolly Sods peaks in late September, mid-elevation parks like Babcock peak in early to mid October, and southern and lower areas finish in late October. Winter is cold and snowy at elevation, good for skiing but tougher for trail trips.
Do I need a car to explore West Virginia's outdoors?
Yes. Yeager Airport in Charleston is the main hub, but there is essentially no public transit connecting the outdoor areas, and many trailheads sit at the end of winding mountain roads. Renting a car gives you the flexibility to reach the New River Gorge, the Monongahela National Forest, and the state parks. Download offline maps, since cell service drops in the gorges and high forest.