beltwayandbeyondWest Virginia may not be on your travel bucket list, but few places rival West Virginia in the fall. For all of you leafers, this is it–be prepared to lose your mind as you explore parks and mountains exploding with color. Unlike driving through the Northeast in the fall, you will have endless miles of country roads, hiking trails, and spectacular mountain views all to yourself.
While many of you may have dipped your toes into West Virginia on weekend trips to Harpers Ferry or Berkley Springs, venture into the southern part of the state during peak leaf season (mid-October) for a real peek into the beauty the state has to offer. There’s a reason John Denver calls this state “almost heaven”.
Prior to our visit, we had no idea West Virginia is known for its waterfalls. But the combination of wet weather and mountains means a waterfall around every corner. While some are only accessible to skilled hikers, many only require short strolls. No two waterfalls are alike so make sure to check out as many as you can!
The New River Gorge Bridge is one of the most photographed places in the West Virginia for a reason. Canyon Rim Visitor Center offers easy access to views of the bridge and glimpses of the New River Gorge National River below (one of the oldest rivers in North America!).
No trip would be complete without visiting the local breweries. Yet again, we were not disappointed. Breweries in this area offer unique craft beers in relaxed, peaceful settings. Although Seven Sisters is technically just over the Virginia border, we loved this brewery and the town of Wytheville, VA.
Here’s one of the best kept secrets about West Virginia: the state parks are free! The state is bursting with gorgeous state parks, with miles of hiking and biking trails, fishing, and waterfalls. We visited four state parks in our week-long stay and found each one to be unique, beautiful, and free of crowds. Although we stayed at an RV resort, many of the state parks offer tent and RV camping and several have cabins and larger lodges/resorts.
