West Virginia Natural Park Wonders
National and State Wonders Found in the Mountain State:
National Recreation Areas:
National Wilderness Areas:
West Virginia, known for having the longest steel arch bridge (1,700 feet) in the world with the New River Gorge Bridge near Fayetteville, is home to vast forests (covering almost three-quarters of the state), rugged mountains (Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountain ranges), hot mineral springs, and some amazing rail-trails.
Let us be your guide to discovering these natural wonders. Follow the links below to obtain more information, insider tips, and pictures, as well as ideas for where to stay when visiting.
National Rivers:
Bluestone National Scenic River [Official Site] New River Gorge National River [Official Site]
National Scenic Trails:
Appalachian National Scenic Trail [Official Site]
National Recreation Trails:
Canaan Valley Institute Trail System Hatfield-McCoy Trails Mon River/Caperton/Deckers Creek Trails North Bend Rail Trail Weston & Gauley Bridge Turnpike
National Recreation Areas:
Gauley River National Recreation Area. Location: southern West Virginia, including the Summersville Lake (reservoir), part of the New River Gorge National River, and administered by the National Park Service. [Official Site] Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area. Location: eastern West Virginia, containing Spruce Knob-- the highest point in the state -- and administered by the U.S. Forest Service as part of the Monongahela National Forest. [Official Site]
National Forests:
George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. Location: Roanoke, Virginia (as well as West Virginia and Kentucky). [Official Site] Monongahela National Forest. Location: Elkins, West Virginia. [Official Site]
National Wildlife Refuges:
Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge
National Wilderness Areas:
Big Draft Wilderness Cranberry Wilderness Dolly Sods Wilderness Laurel Fork North Wilderness Laurel Fork South Wilderness Mountain Lake Wilderness Otter Creek Wilderness Roaring Plains West Wilderness Spice Run Wilderness
National Scenic Roads and Byways:
Coal Heritage Trail Highland Scenic Highway Historic National Road Midland Trail Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike Washington Heritage Trail
West Virginia State Parks, Campgrounds, Recreational Areas:
Appalachian National Scenic Trail Audra State Park Babcock State Park Beartown State Park Beech Fork State Park Berkeley Springs State Park Berwind Lake Wildlife Management Area Blackwater Falls State Park Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park Bluestone State Park Bluestone Wildlife Management Area Cabwaylingo State Forest Cacapon Resort State Park Camp Creek State Park Canaan Valley Resort Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park Cass Scenic Railroad State Park Cathedral State Park Cedar Creek State Park Chief Logan State Park Coopers Rock State Forest
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park Hawks Nest State Park Holly River State Park Kanawha State Forest Kumbrabow State Forest Little Beaver State Park Lost River State Park Moncove Lake State Park North Bend State Park Panther State Forest Pinnacle Rock State Park Pipestream Resort State Park Plum Orchard Lake Wildlife Management Area Seneca State Forest Tomlinson Run State Park Tu-Endie-Wei State Park Twin Falls Resort State Park Tygart Lake State Park Valley Falls State Park Watoga State Park Watters Smith Memorial State Park
State Scenic Roads and Byways:
Back Mountain Backway Camp Allegheny Backway Cheat Mountain Backway Cheat River Byway Farm Heritage Road Little Kanawha Parkway Northwestern Turnpike Old Route 7 Byway Rich Mountain Backway
Go to West Virginia: 800-225-5982