10 Best Views in West Virginia: Iconic Overlooks & More

Have your camera ready for the best scenic views and overlooks in West Virginia. Travelers will find many picturesque locations within the Monongahela National Forest, from sprawling fields to mountain ranges, but the state offers other unforgettable sightseeing destinations, too.

Whether you’re looking forward to a hike with an incredible payout, a relaxing, scenic train ride, or a road trip filled with many wow-worthy moments, The Mountain State won’t disappoint. This list includes some of our favorite areas to find the most impressive views in West Virginia:

1. Seneca Rocks

This incredible rock formation is one of the best-known landmarks in West Virginia, and the views at this attraction draw hikers and rock climbers alike. Protruding from the earth like an armored plate, Seneca Rocks is one of West Virginia’s most amazing natural wonders. Several rock climbing services nearby offer opportunities for adrenaline junkies who want to get an up-close look.

For those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, a 2.6-mile round-trip trail is also available. The Seneca Rocks Hiking Trail reaches 700 feet in elevation and includes an observation platform. Anyone who hikes or climbs to the top is rewarded with dazzling views of Monongahela National Forest.

The hiking trail can be enjoyed by all ages, but adult supervision is advised for children. Seneca Rocks is open year-round.

Our lodging near Seneca Rocks puts you close to the best Seneca Rocks hiking trails.

2. Spruce Knob

Lush forest canopies and rolling mountains surround West Virginia’s highest peak. Venture to the top of Spruce Knob for a breathtaking 360-degree look at the Mountain State, thanks to the observation tower. Rising above sea level at over 4,800 feet, Spruce Knob provides some of the best views in West Virginia.

Open year-round and featuring an impressive 60 miles of day hiking trails, our cabins near Spruce Knob offer the perfect lodging for unwinding after enjoying the sights from West Virginia’s highest point. Open season is typically from mid-spring to late fall. 

3. On-property at Harman’s Luxury Log Cabins

Travelers staying in our West Virginia cabin rentals won’t have to hike far for beautiful views. Our cabin rental property features several hikes that lead to overlooks for the perfect picture. Hopeville Canyon Overlook casts a shadow over the Warner Fields and Hopeville Canyon for truly impressive views. Top of the Rocks takes hikers to a sheer rock cliff overlooking the cabin property and surrounding area. 

Learn more about West Virginia hiking trails near Harman’s Luxury Log Cabins.

4. Canaan Valley Wildlife Refuge

Located in the Allegheny Mountains, Canaan Valley Wildlife Refuge is the nation’s highest-elevation large, continuous wetland. Home to nearly 30 miles of road and trails for hiking and biking, the Refuge offers travelers all kinds of excuses to enjoy the great outdoors. The trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Visit this area during the summer and fall to enjoy warm daytime temperatures, which typically stay below 90 degrees.

A mixture of wetlands and uplands, this elevated valley is perfect for anyone wanting to snap a pic of nature at its best.

5. Cass Scenic Railroad

If you’re looking to do a little less walking on your trip but still want to take advantage of the incredible views in West Virginia, we recommend hitching a ride aboard the Cass Scenic Railroad. This is the same line built in 1901 and deploys some of the same locomotives, refurbished for passenger use. You’ll get to choose from several excursions. Stay in our cabins near Cass Scenic Railroad so you’re close to all the fun!

6. Cass Scenic Bald Knob

This 4.5-hour steam train trip gives you panoramic views of the Appalachian Mountains as the train climbs to over 4,000 feet above sea level. The 22-mile excursion culminates at the top of Bald Knob, West Virginia’s second-highest peak, overlooking vast wilderness and the giant Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope. The windowless, open-air cars lend themselves to making glare-free photos of these amazing views. A bagged lunch is included with your ticket. 

7. Cass Scenic Whitaker Trip

This 8-mile round trip takes 2 hours to complete via steam engine. The route climbs the lower slopes of Cheap Mountain and affords picturesque views along Leatherbark Creek. At the top, enjoy a stop at Whittaker Station, an area surrounded by green meadows and featuring a picnic area where you can rest and enjoy the scenic countryside before returning to the Cass depot. 

8. Tygart Flyer

Climb aboard vintage diesel-powered locomotives for a 4-hour, 46-mile ride in climate-controlled train cars. After departing the Elkins Depot, this excursion offers riders the chance to enjoy views of some of the most remote, pristine areas in West Virginia. The culmination at High Falls of Cheat gives you an excellent look at the 150-foot-wide waterfall and the natural landscape that surrounds it. Upgrade options are available to enjoy the Parlor Car, and all riders will receive a cold-cut lunch during the journey.

Trips on the Cass Scenic Railroad are typically offered between mid-spring and mid-fall. Book your adventure online or call (304) 636-9477 to reserve your tickets by phone.

9. Highland Scenic Highway Overlooks

Enjoy a road trip to incredible overlooks while staying near Monongahela National Forest. Head to Highland Scenic Highway, a designated National Scenic Byway, to visit 4 overlooks along a 43-mile route. Though travel in the winter is discouraged (and some lengths of the road are closed seasonally), this is an enjoyable drive during other seasons.

The Byway winds through a beautiful corridor of Monongahela National Forest, offering stunning mountain and valley views. The four overlooks—Williams River, Big Spruce, Little Laurel, and Red Lick—are worth a stop for photos and to see the landscape from a new vantage point. Restrooms and picnic shelters are also available at each stop. If you’ve ever taken a waterfall road trip in West Virginia, you know that the area’s sights make any drive worthwhile. 

10. Pase Point Blackwater Falls State Park

There are tons of things to do at Blackwater Falls, and exploring the hiking trails to discover scenic overlooks is some of the best entertainment around. This park offers many short hikes with excellent payouts. One of the easy paved trails with an overlook is Gentle Trail. Like its name suggests, the short 0.25-mile hike is gentle for all ages to complete and ends at an observation deck overlooking Blackwater Falls.

For a moderate route, head to Lindy Point Trail, a 0.3-mile path that begins at 3,000 feet and overlooks the Blackwater Canyon. Experienced hikers may enjoy Pase Point Trail, an extension of the Dobbin House Trail (departing from the Harold Walters Nature Center), that leads to an overlook of the North Fork of the Blackwater River. This 0.7-mile hike is difficult, but the views from this pristine area are unbeatable.

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Luckily for you, there are plenty of Instagrammable spots in West Virginia to enjoy during your stay at Harman’s Log Cabins. The photos you make of these breathtaking landscapes and the superb natural surroundings of your cabin will make your trip unforgettable.