The wild mountain country of West Virginia boasts some of the east coast’s most brilliant and exhilarating outdoor adventures. Plan your dream vacation around these spectacular things to do in the West Virginia mountains that includes hiking, fishing, rock climbing, skiing, and sightseeing.
Check out these vacation ideas for your next West Virginia mountain adventure:
Explore the Caverns
Before we ascend any mountains, we’ll start with West Virginia’s underground passageways. Seneca Rocks Caverns and Smoke Hole Caverns offer travelers the opportunity to explore an alien-like world of stalactites and stalagmites, cave-dwelling critters, and hundreds of thousands of years of geological history.
Climb the Highest Point in West Virginia
The rugged alpine peak of Spruce Knob features plenty of backpacking and day hiking adventures. An observation tower at the top of Spruce Knob offers incredible 360-degree views of wild country.
Via Ferrata at NROCKS
Release your inner daredevil. Via Ferrata at NROCKS is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. Climbers will ascend 1085 feet in elevation, cross a 150-foot high suspension bridge, and reach exposed heights of 280 feet.
Take a Train Tour
Take a trip aborad a classic steam locomotive on the Cass Scenic Railroad. All ages will enjoy the scenic landscapes the train chugs through, including a 22-mile round-trip to the top of Bald Knob.
See some of our favorite West Virginia train rides.
The Best Fly Fishing in West Virginia
Travelers won’t find better fly fishing between the cracks and crevasses of the West Virginia mountains than Monongahela National Forest. The streams are filled with beautiful trout and guests staying at Harman’s Luxury Log Cabins have access to a private 2 mile stretch of prized trophy trout stream of the North Fork River.
Find out how you can enjoy the best fly fishing in West Virginia.
Picturesque Hiking
Monongahela National Forest features the best in mountain hiking in West Virginia. From Dolly Sods to Seneca Rocks, hiking-enthusiasts will love the selection of trails this area has to offer.
Check out the best hiking trails near Harman’s Log Luxury Log Cabins.
Bird Watching
Birds of all shapes, colors, and sizes can be seen flying above and below the forest canopies of the West Virginia mountains. Birders typically discover eagles, warblers, hawks, turkey, and osprey.
These are the best bird-watching spots in Monongahela National Forest.
Ski the Slopes
Canaan Valley offers the best in skiing thanks to 200-inch average annual snowfall per year. Ski destinations in the area include Canaan Valley Resort and Timberline Resort, each offering 37 downhill trails.
Discover the best ski destinations near Harman’s Luxury Log Cabins.
Take a Ziplining Canopy Tour
The first of its kind in West Virginia, the North Fork Valley Canopy Tour at NROCKS offers the longest and most scenic ziplining canopy tour in the region. While there are plenty of thrills along the tour, including 12 zip lines and three sky bridges, the tour lets adventurers soak in the beauty of the West Virginia mountains.
Find out more about NROCKS ziplining tours.
Horseback Rides with Yokum’s Seneca Rocks Stables
Get the West Virginia mountain experience of a lifetime atop horseback. Riders of all experience levels will get to enjoy an outdoor hike that offers spectacular views of the Seneca Rocks area.
Learn more about Yokum’s Seneca Rocks Stables.
Green Bank Observatory
Green Bank Observatory offers daily public tours of the world-class Green Bank Telescope. Visitors can also visit the Science Center which houses interactive exhibits that teaches the history of radio astronomy.
Visit Seneca Rocks
Rising nearly 900 feet above the North Fork River, Seneca Rocks is one of the state’s most popular natural landmarks. Visitors can enjoy a hiking trail that takes hikers to an observation platform near the top of Seneca Rocks, nearly 700 feet in elevation!
Check out our list of the most Instagrammable spots in West Virginia.
Bear Rocks in Dolly Sods
Bear Rocks is well-known for its flat, barren landscape filled with bogs, red spruce, and boulders. Dolly Sods has several hiking trails and tremendous views overlooking Canaan Valley.
See the best hiking spots in Dolly Sods.
Explore Blackwater Falls State Park
Home to miles of hiking trails, lush forest, and West Virginia’s highest waterfall, Blackwater Falls State Park is a must-visit attraction in the West Virginia mountains. The tannic acid of fallen hemlock and red spruce needles gives the water an amber tint.
See our West Virginia waterfall road trip guide for the most scenic cascades in the state.
Lion’s Head at Dolly Sods
As the name suggests, Lion’s Head is popularly known for its unique rock face that resembles the head of a lion. Lion’s Head is located on Breathed Mountain, just off of Breathed Mountain Trail in Dolly Sods.
Chimney Rocks
While the hike to Chimney Rocks is deemed difficult, those that do ascend the 2.7 miles North Fork Mountain Trail will enjoy some of the best views in West Virginia. Chimney Rocks gets its name from its chimney stack-like rock formations.