8 Best Small Towns In West Virginia For Outdoor Enthusiasts
West Virginia is a MidAtlantic state where outdoor buffs and vacationers will likely rethink about leaving once their visit is over. The state charms every visitor, especially outdoor enthusiasts, with sensational natural attractions. Striking hills, mountains, valleys, rivers, forests, and waterfalls harmonize to describe the landscape of West Virginia. Much of these natural enticements are welcome gifts for those who look beyond the cities and into the small towns of this charming state. From the lovely riverside towns of Barboursville to the unforgettable grandeur of mountain towns like Elkins, the outdoors are full of treats for enthusiasts. Find them all in these eight small towns in West Virginia.
Elkins
Elkins is a small mountain town in Randolph County at the intersection of Tygart Valley River and Leading Creek. Both rivers are exciting outdoor playgrounds for taking the first steps into the thrilling outdoor haven of Elkins. Visitors can engage in water rafting on these rivers while slugging it out with rapids. For those who love to hike and watch birds, Elkins is the headquarters of the Monongahela National Forest, which covers an area of 921,000 acres within the Allegheny Mountains. The forest is also a destination for fishing and canoeing on the Monongahela River. An alternative area to explore is the Fox Forest Wildlife Management Area of 120 acres, with four miles of hiking trails and a fishing pier.
White Sulphur Springs
White Sulphur Springs is renowned for hosting the iconic Greenbrier - a five-star luxury hotel and resort on 11,000 acres of land. It is also home to the Greenbrier State Forest, where outdoor lovers can immerse in a world of mind-blowing adventures. The forest is bordered by a tributary of Howard Creek, setting the stage for fishing. If that sounds like a big deal, there are other ways to explore the park. Hikers can explore the 13 miles of trails in the forest, while laid-back outdoor explorers can relax at picnic shelters or immerse in a heated pool. In addition, the forest houses Kate Mountain, an imposing peak for mountain biking, camping, and hiking. Top off the experience with a slice of fascinating history by visiting the Greenbrier Bunker, built to serve as an emergency hideout for the US Congress during the Cold War.
Barboursville
Barboursville flaunts the title "Best Little Village In The State," and for outdoor enthusiasts, no description could be more apt. A visit to the over 750-acre Barboursville Community Park is enough to see why this town also merits the slogan from an outdoor lover's perspective. This park is an outdoor paradise featuring walking and equestrian trails, basketball and tennis courts, baseball and football fields, fishing ponds, and a 17-acre lake for fishing and picnics. Another haven for outdoor buffs in Barboursville is the Beech Fork State Park, just 12 miles from downtown. This 3,144-acre scenic recreational area is home to the majestic Beech Fork Lake, spotting 31 miles of shoreline and abundant fishing, boating, swimming, and paddling experiences.
Morgantown
Morgantown is home to the University of West Virginia and lies along the Monongahela River. This university town is a bit large population-wise at approximately 30,350 but deserves a mention because of its outdoor drawcards. One of them is the Dorsey Knob, a mountain summit where panoramic views of the Appalachian Mountains and Monongahela River are stunning. For nature enthusiasts, visit the Core Arboretum, managed by West Virginia University, to spot an enthralling diversity of old plants while exploring its 3.5 miles of wooded trails. Afterward, check out the Hazel Ruby McQuain Riverfront Park, perched on the shores of Monongahela River, adjacent to Westover Bridge. This scenic park is a destination for kayaking, outdoor relaxation, and picnics on the picnic grove under Westover Bridge. It is also home to an amphitheater that hosts the Ruby Summer Concert Series every Friday in Summer.
Point Pleasant
Point Pleasant combines sensational outdoor encounters and West Virginian folklore in one destination to thrill diehard outdoor fans. The town is famed for its lore about Mothman - a humanoid monster reportedly seen in the town around 1966. The McClinitic Wildlife Management Area is the site where the paranormal creature was spotted. However, the wildlife preserve is also a perfect destination for fishing across its 29 ponds and the Ohio River. Away from myths and legends, Point Pleasant sits at the meeting point of the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers, where visitors can embark on fishing, boating, paddling, and canoeing expeditions. More outdoorsy moments are relished at Krodel Park, the largest outdoor park in the town. Here, there is a one-mile walking trail to explore, picnic shelters, a quarter-mile nature trail, and a 22-acre stocked lake for fishing and kayaking.
Berkeley Springs
Berkeley Springs offers an eccentric way of exploring the great outdoors with its natural springs. The town is lavish with warm mineral springs that have continued to attract tourists for centuries. Thus, it earned the title of "America's First Spa." Visitors can immerse in one of the springs as a staple wellness activity and head off to the Berkeley Springs State Park for swimming, camping, and short hikes. If the park is too small, supplement the exploration with a visit to Cacapon Resort State Park, lodged at the backdrop of a mountain ridge 10 miles south of the town. Once here, embark on mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, and fishing activities at the park's two stocked lakes.
Davis
Davis is a small town by the Blackwater River, dipped in the Canaan Valley, which invites outdoor lovers with some enticing natural attractions. The Blackwater River is typically the first port of call but comes in the full package of the Blackwater River State Park. While the river is as scenic and inviting as it comes, the showpiece attraction of the park is the 62-foot Blackwater Falls, one of the most photographed attractions in the state. The park is also home to Pendleton Lake for fishing, sightseeing, and relaxation. For mountain bikers, Davis is the destination, and trails like Hoo Doo Hustle, Red Spruce, and Plantation make this sport sensational. Elsewhere, the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge is for nature and animal lovers. This refuge is home to endangered bird species such as American Woodcock, Cooper's Hawk, and Spotted Sandpiper while also protecting a vast expanse of wetlands.
Hinton
Hinton is a small town that sits pretty by the New River, close to its confluence with the Greenbrier and Bluestone Rivers. The New River is the main draw to the town for outdoor buffs, alongside its gorge, bridge, and waterfall. Hinton is also the southern gateway to the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, which is home to one of the most scenic and enthralling gorges in the state, where whitewater rafting, fishing, and base jumping at the New River Gorge Bridge can be done. More exploration of the park via driving reveals the magnificent Sandstone Falls, and a camera will be needed to capture its beauty. In addition, the town is home to the charming Bluestone State Lake, which is large enough for fishing and boating.
West Virginia flaunts the slogan "Almost Heaven" and truly lives up to that name. It's one destination to savor the beauty of nature via so many outdoor recreational pursuits. From hikes to water-based activities and just strolling around picturesque landscapes, this midwest state offers an ideal backdrop for it. While the cities boast of their charms, they are nothing compared to the hospitality, tranquil aura, and unspoiled natural endowments in the small towns. These towns are lovely outdoor havens where memories are created and cherished.
