Take a break from it all and head outside with the kiddos! West Virginia is like one giant outdoor playground that offers excitement and exploration for all ages! From inner tubing and hiking at our West Virginia cabins to zip lining and nature viewing, these are our favorite things to do in West Virginia with kids:
Seneca Rocks
Location: 13 Roy Gap Road, Seneca Rocks, West Virginia
Seneca Rocks is one of West Virginia’s most recognizable landmarks and offers plenty of activities for kids and adults. Although steep, all ages can enjoy the Seneca Rocks Trail. Other activities for youngsters include zip lining and wild caving with NROCKS Outdoor Adventures.
Age Recommendations
Suitable for most ages. Seneca Rocks’ main trail is a quick hike that is fairly easy even on the littlest hiker. However, there are weight requirements for zip lining at Seneca Rocks and age requirements for wild caving.
Discover more things to do in Seneca Rocks.
Dolly Sods Wilderness
Location: Elkins, West Virginia
Located right next door to Harman’s Log Cabins, Dolly Sods Wilderness offers some of the best views in West Virginia. The area’s unique ecosystem offers plenty to see and discover, including various species of plants and migratory birds. There are also plenty of day hiking options suitable for all ages.
Age Recommendations
Suitable for all ages. There are plenty of trails to choose from and kids of all ages will enjoy exploring Dolly Sods’ unique habitat.
Blackwater Falls State Park
Location: 1584 Blackwater Lodge Road, Davis, West Virginia
Well known for its cascading waterfall, Blackwater Falls State Park also offers many activities for families to enjoy. The park has nine trails considered easy, so children can enjoy.
During the summer, Pendleton Lake is available for swimming. During the winter, take a ride on the sled run or enjoy cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.
Age Recommendations
Suitable for all ages. There are several trails that are short and easy to trek for all ages at Blackwater Falls State Park, including the main trail that takes hikers to the main waterfall observation deck.
Take the family on a West Virginia waterfalls road trip!
Inner Tubing at Harman’s Luxury Log Cabins
Location: Harman’s Luxury Log Cabins
Kids of all ages can enjoy a lazy day on an inner tube at the swimming hole or take a brief adventure along a few riffles at Harman’s Log Cabins.
Age Recommendations
Suitable for all ages with the assistance of an adult.
Hiking at Harman’s Luxury Log Cabins
Location: Harman’s Luxury Log Cabins
Families staying at Harman’s Luxury Log Cabins won’t have to travel far for an outdoor adventure. There are several hiking trails on the Harman’s Log Cabins property, including the Stream Access trail, which is easily accessible for all ages.
Age Recommendations
Suitable for all ages. Some trails are tougher to trek than others but the Stream Access trail offers plenty of sights for kids.
Fishing at Harman’s Luxury Log Cabins
Location: Harman’s Luxury Log Cabins
Families staying at Harman’s Log Cabins will get to enjoy private access to a catch and release trophy trout stream. If your kids are beginners with a spinning rod or fly rod, either is welcome during your family getaway. There are also several nearby trout streams where kids.
Age Recommendations
Suitable for all ages with the assistance of an adult.
Learn more about the Kids Corner at Harman’s Luxury Log Cabins.
Seneca Caverns
Location: 3328 Germany Valley Road, Riverton, West Virginia
“Wow” the little ones with an underground journey exploring 4.5 million-year-old caverns! Seneca Caverns has plenty to see inside the caves with a guided tour. They also offer a gemstone mining area where kids can find their own take-home treasures!
Age Recommendations
Suitable for all ages. The gemstone mining area is a terrific treat for kids after exploring the million-old caverns. Guided-tours are only an hour long and the path is well lit with handrails. Temperatures in the caverns are typically 54 degrees year round, so a light jacket or sweatshirt is recommended for little ones.
Smoke Hole Caverns
Location: 8290 North Fork Highway, Cabins, West Virginia
Smoke Hole Caverns will excite and amaze everyone in your party. Tours are offered nearly every day of the year except major holidays. Exploring the caverns is the perfect activity for a rainy day!
Age Recommendations
Suitable for all ages. Tours typically take about an hour and the pathway is easily accessible to all ages. Cavern temperatures typically dip below 60 degrees year round, so it’s recommended you have a jacket or sweater for the little ones. Gemstone mining is also available.
Cass Scenic Railroad
Location: 12363 Cass Road, Cass, West Virginia
Take an adventure into the wilderness of West Virginia aboard a classic steam-driven locomotive! The Cass Scenic Railroad’s featured expedition takes riders to the overlook at Bald Knob, the third-highest point in West Virginia, offering plenty of views kids and parents will love.
Age Recommendations
Suitable for all ages. Kids and adults love the classic steam engines and the open-air cars. We do recommend taking a light jacket as temperatures can vary at higher altitudes during the cooler months.
Check out our favorite train rides for foliage viewing!
Spruce Knob
Spruce Knob is West Virginia’s highest peak, standing over 4,800 feet above sea level! There’s plenty of day hiking and beautiful scenery to enjoy. Make your way to Spruce Knob Tower, which sits atop Spruce Knob, for breathtaking views of forested ridges and grassy pastures. Spruce Know is even one of our top Instagrammable spots in West Virginia.
Age Recommendations
Spruce Knob is suitable for all ages to enjoy.
Horseback Riding
Kids ages 6 and up will get to take a scenic trail ride by horseback at Yokum’s Seneca Rocks Stables, where riders are taken to the very top of Seneca Rocks!
At Mountain Trail Rides, there are options for children as young as 15 months for an unforgettable day out, including pony rides, a baby petting zoo, an adventure cave, and gemstone mining.
Age Recommendations
Suitable for most ages. Horseback riding through the West Virginia wilderness is a memory that will last a lifetime for any age. However, there is an age requirement for kids to ride and only one rider per horse is allowed.
Learn more about horseback riding in West Virginia.
Skiing and Snow Tubing
There are several ski resorts near Harman’s Luxury Log Cabins and each ski resort has something to offer for almost all ages. Canaan Valley Ski Resort in Davis, West Virginia has snow tubing for kids ages 4 and up. Timberline Resort in Davis offers a beginner terrain park for kids of all ages. And Snowshoe Mountain has lessons for kids and snow tubing. Learn more about the best West Virginia skiing.
Age Recommendations
Suitable for all ages. Time spent in the snow at any of these ski resorts will be remembered forever. Plus, many of these resorts offer additional activities during the warmer months. Add these activities to your West Virginia winter vacation itinerary.
Green Bank Observatory
Location: 155 Observatory Road, Green Bank, West Virginia
Green Bank Observatory is home to the world’s largest fullest steerable radio telescope and state-of-the-art astronomical instruments. The Science Center is where visitors will learn about the many phenomena of space like black holes, pulsars, and big bang energy. There are several exhibits and visuals at the facility that will keep kids intrigued during your entire visit.
Age Recommendations
Suitable for all ages. The Science Center is a great educational attraction for children and the perfect option for the aspiring space cadets in the family.