West Virginia Vacation Ideas
If you are going to West Virginia for vacation plan on having plenty of outdoors activities arranged.
Depending on the time of year you can do many different things including water and snow skiing, whitewater kayaking adventures, golf extravaganzas, hiking, biking, camping excursions or visit the great National Park or State Park system.
West Virginia's spectacular mountain lakes, rushing rivers, and scenic countryside offer rustic retreats that will help you rebound from the aches and pains of our everyday life.
The great West Virginia outdoors offers up starry mountain nights and family activities that are ready for you to enjoy.
Camping
Great family camping opportunities are abound in the West Virginia. Places like Holly River State Park, Cedar Creek State Park and the West Virginia State Wildlife Center are a popular family camping parks.
Some are equipped with restaurants, pools, playgrounds, a miniature golf course, a staff of naturalists that plan recreational and educational programs and game courts.
Others are more rural and concentrate on activities like a 1.25-mile trail that meanders through a 300-acre sanctuary where elk, bison, mountain lions, bobcats, wolves, birds, reptiles and occasionally an exhibit of playful otters can be seen.
Many of West Virginias camping facilities are ready for you to set up camp in tents or RVs.
No matter how you camp in West Virgina, the night sky is a great opportunity to teach yourself and the children about the planets and the night sky. One of my favorite things to do is look for constellations and for just a few dollars you can pick up a star finder. It's not hard to do and it is a lifetime of knowledge and fun for everyone.
Whitewater Adventures
For over 30 years West Virginia has been recognized as the destination for the most challenging whitewater in the East. With nearly 2,000 miles of streams surging down from the mountains more than 25 rafting companies operate in West Virginia.
Whether you are looking for a leisurely float down a river with your family or if you want to attack natures demanding rapids head on West Virginia's waterfalls has what you are looking for.
Gauley River and Summersville Lake
Held behind one of the world's largest earthen dams the Gauley River takes several forms in different seasons.
Summersville Lake is the outcome of this dam and is the biggest reservoir in the region. Perfect for water skiing, windsurfing and sailing its sheer sandstone cliffs rise above the water adding to your luxury.
The cold and deep waters add to the outdoor challenges. Anglers who fish for smallmouth bass in summer and walleye in winter and early spring will be quite satisfied here.
In spring and fall, the Gauley is unleashed through three mammoth valves in the Army Corps of Engineers' dam. Careening waters splash down a boulder-strewn canyon, creating 100 major rapids in a 28-mile course consistently rated among the world's best whitewater streams.
Stonewall Jackson Lake
With 82 miles of shoreline this 2,650-acre lake is a West Virginia dream for motor boaters and anglers.
Remote inlets and wooded coves of an 18,000-acre wildlife management area are just off the shore. The stillness of the area is great for catching glimpses of birds and animals such as black bear.
The lake is also teaming with large and smallmouth bass, crappie, walleye and muskellunge.
Braxton County
In the very center of the state, there are two lakes with adjoining wildlife management areas. Burnsville Lake is loaded with largemouth bass, crappie, muskie and channel catfish. The 12,000-acre Burnsville Wildlife Management Area surrounds it, harboring migrating waterfowl, grouse, quail, turkey and deer.
Sutton Lake claims its share of Mountain Lake sports like fishing, water skiing and most anything else you are interested in. You will find many warm water fish flourishing here.
Potomac Highlands
The Potomac Highlands flourishes with whitetail deer, black bear, squirrel, rabbit, wild turkey, pheasant and grouse. Hunting is permitted in the region's forests and at the Warden Lake Wildlife Management Area, the Handley Wildlife Management Area at Edray Wildlife Management Area and Blackwater Wildlife Management Area.
Local streams are stocked with bass, trout and other game fish.
The US Forest Service requires hunters and fishers to purchase stamps for sporting within national forest boundaries.
Wildlife is strictly protected in the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
This beautiful countryside is also a fragile habitat for birds of prey, including osprey and bald eagles.
Rock Climbing
Cut with rivers, dotted with lakes and ponds, crossed by winding roads that almost always lead to stellar rock, West Virginia will not dissapoint any rock climber. Wander among boulders, walls, lost crags and scenic cliffs.
New River Gorge was originally one of the destination crags of the East Coast for its cracks. Now it has become world famous for the sheer number of incredible sport and trad climbs accessible by the novice or the expert-level climber.
There are many places to climb in West Virginia so get your gear packed and get going.
Allegheny Mountain range
Much of this region is devoted to national and state forest and wilderness areas where wildlife, wetlands and rushing streams abound.
Rising to its 4,000-foot peaks runs right down the center of West Virginia's Potomac Highlands the Allegheny Mountain range is an unrivaled destination for outdoor adventures.
Miles of caves tunnel underneath huge rock formations that thrust themselves out of the earth and the 330-mile Allegheny Trail traverses north to south through the entire state.
The variety of activities are endless, including downhill skiing, hike Nordic paths through a backcountry, whitewater thrills, peaceful float along a lazy river, biking some of the best terrain in the East, backpacking through deep woods or along high ridges.
Then there is Birding and botanical diversity to inspire you. West Virginia also has some of the best fishing, hunting, rock climbing and spelunking in the country.
Monongahela National Forest
Stretching over most of the Potomac Highlands, its 901,000 acres consists of the 20,000-acre Otter Creek Wilderness, Gaudineer Scenic Area's primitive red spruce forests, and the Dolly Sods Wilderness.
Spruce Knob is the state's highest point at 4,861 feet, offering a panoramic view in all directions. The Falls of Hills Creek, the second highest in the state is nearby.
Beartown State Park visitors follow a half-mile boardwalk though a hushed, mysterious wonderland of huge boulders, moss and ferns.
Greenbrier Valley
Some of West Virginia's most beautiful state and national parklands are here.
This West Virginia region is host to rock climbers scale the walls of the primeval New River Gorge. Whitewater rafters course down its rivers and anglers and hunters find plentiful fish and game in wildlife management areas and state forests.
Hikers take expeditions down the 75-mile-long Greenbrier River Trail. With campsites and bed and breakfast lodging this trail is rated as one of the top rails-to-trails conversions in the country.
Throughout the New River/Greenbrier Valley you will find miles and miles of trails for hikers, bikers and horseback riders. Many of which will lead you to sparkling streams, history-rich abandoned mining towns, spectacular scenic overlooks and into captivating villages.
Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge
A series of islands dot the Ohio River From the tip of the Panhandle to its base and continuing into the Mid-Ohio Valley river region forming the Refuge.
These islands shelter hundreds of birds, animals and plants, including some rare species.
Throughout the Northern Panhandle, wildlife for hunters and anglers is abundant in easily accessible. Streams are regularly stocked with bass, trout, pike and catfish, and wild geese and ducks flourish along the Ohio and its tributaries.
West Virginia is quite a place for any outdoors fan. Take a trip and you will see more than you thought you could.
Enjoy your vacation!