WestVirginia
3
Day Itinerary •
USA
Three days in West Virginia gives you the essential Wild and Wonderful experience, from the extraordinary Seneca Rocks quartzite fin rising 900 feet from the Potomac Highlands to the magnificent New River Gorge National Park, the most extraordinary whitewater canyon in the eastern United States. This route covers the heart of West Virginia. The extraordinary Blackwater Falls and Canaan Valley, the remarkable Seneca Caverns and Spruce Knob, the highest point in the state, the extraordinary New River Gorge Bridge, the longest steel arch bridge in the western hemisphere, and the vibrant Fayetteville adventure sports scene.
Best Time To Visit
April to June or September to November
Getting There
Fly into Charleston Yeager (CRW) or Roanoke (ROA)
Getting Around
Rental car essential throughout West Virginia
Budget Per Day
Approx $100 to $170 per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, some Highlands hiking and canyon trails
DAY 1
POTOMAC HIGHLANDS
MORNING
SENECA ROCKS, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY ROCK FORMATION IN THE EAST
Seneca Rocks is the most extraordinary quartzite rock formation in the eastern United States, its extraordinary 900-foot near-vertical fin of Tuscarora quartzite rising from the confluence of the North Fork of the South Branch Potomac River giving the most dramatic mountain landscape in West Virginia. The Front Summit Trail at 2.7 miles round trip gives the finest elevated view of the Potomac Highlands. The Discovery Center at the base gives the finest geological introduction. Trail free. Drive: 2.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
BLACKWATER FALLS STATE PARK, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY WATERFALL IN WEST VIRGINIA
Blackwater Falls is the most extraordinary waterfall in West Virginia, its extraordinary 57-foot cascade of the Blackwater River stained amber by tannic acids from fallen spruce and hemlock needles plunging through a canyon of extraordinary red spruce forest. The Elakala Falls series along Shays Run below the main falls gives the most extraordinary waterfall sequence in the Highlands. The Canaan Valley below gives the highest elevated valley in the eastern United States. Entry free. Drive: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
SPRUCE KNOB, THE HIGHEST POINT IN WEST VIRGINIA
Spruce Knob at 4,863 feet is the highest point in West Virginia and the most extraordinary summit viewpoint in the Potomac Highlands, its extraordinary 360-degree panorama of the Allegheny Mountains from the observation tower giving the finest free view in the state. The extraordinary Spruce Knob Lake below the summit with its red spruce forest reflected in the water is the finest mountain lake in the Highlands. Both free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Dolly Sods Wilderness near Canaan Valley is the finest hidden wilderness in West Virginia, its extraordinary wind-sculpted heath barrens of blueberry, huckleberry and azalea on a high plateau giving a landscape unlike anywhere else in the Appalachians. Free. The most extraordinary hidden gem in the Potomac Highlands.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Front Porch Restaurant, Seneca Rocks The finest breakfast near Seneca Rocks. Extraordinary local West Virginia eggs and strong Highlands coffee. | Lunch: Blackwater Brewing Company, Davis The finest craft brewery near Blackwater Falls. Outstanding local WV ingredients and cold craft beer. | Dinner: Seneca Shadows Campground cookout The most extraordinary dinner in the Potomac Highlands. Local WV trout over an open fire under Seneca Rocks.
DAY 2
NEW RIVER GORGE
MORNING
NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL PARK BRIDGE WALK
The New River Gorge Bridge Walk is the most extraordinary bridge experience in the eastern United States, its extraordinary guided walk along the catwalk beneath the 876-foot-long steel arch bridge, the longest steel arch span in the western hemisphere, giving the most extraordinary aerial view of the New River Gorge 876 feet above the river. The Bridge Walk gives access to perspectives of the gorge impossible from any trail. Entry approx $25. Book at bridgewalk.com. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
LONG POINT TRAIL AND THE NEW RIVER GORGE OVERLOOK
The Long Point Trail in New River Gorge National Park is the most extraordinary short hike in the park, its extraordinary 3.2-mile round trip through oak and hickory forest to a sandstone outcrop giving the finest unobstructed view of the New River Gorge Bridge and the full sweep of the gorge below. The Grandview Rim Trail gives equally extraordinary views of the New River meanders from the canyon rim. Both free. Drive: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
NEW RIVER WHITEWATER RAFTING
The New River through the New River Gorge National Park gives the most extraordinary whitewater rafting in the eastern United States, its extraordinary Class III to V rapids through a 1,000-foot-deep sandstone canyon giving the finest gorge rafting experience on the East Coast. The Lower New River section gives Class IV and V rapids through the most dramatic section of the gorge. ACE Adventure Resort and Adventures on the Gorge both run excellent guided trips. Approx $60 to $80.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Grandview Rim overlook at sunset in New River Gorge National Park gives the most extraordinary light on the gorge, the late sun turning the sandstone canyon walls golden above the river bend in the most extraordinary free viewpoint in West Virginia. Free. Arrive 30 minutes before sunset.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cathedral Cafe, Fayetteville The most extraordinary breakfast in Fayetteville. Local WV eggs and strong coffee in a converted church. | Lunch: Pies and Pints, Fayetteville The finest pizza restaurant in West Virginia. Extraordinary local WV ingredients and craft beer. | Dinner: The Station, Fayetteville The finest restaurant in Fayetteville. Extraordinary local West Virginia produce and outstanding wine.
DAY 3
THE GREENBRIER AND CHARLESTON
MORNING
THE GREENBRIER RESORT, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY HISTORIC RESORT IN AMERICA
The Greenbrier at White Sulphur Springs is the most extraordinary historic resort in America, its extraordinary 1778 history as a presidential retreat, the remarkable Cold War bunker built secretly beneath the resort in 1958 to shelter Congress in a nuclear attack and the extraordinary 710-room National Historic Landmark hotel giving the finest luxury heritage experience in the Appalachians. The bunker tour is the most extraordinary Cold War experience in America. Tour approx $40. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
MIDDAY
CHARLESTON, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY STATE CAPITAL ON THE KANAWHA
Charleston is the most extraordinary state capital in the central Appalachians, its extraordinary gold-domed State Capitol building designed by Cass Gilbert in 1932 giving the finest state capitol in the mountain South. The extraordinary Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences, the Kanawha River waterfront and the remarkable cultural district of downtown Charleston give the finest urban experience in West Virginia. State Capitol free. Drive: 1.5 hr drive
AFTERNOON
KANAWHA STATE FOREST AND THE CAPITOL MARKET
Kanawha State Forest just south of Charleston is the most extraordinary urban forest in West Virginia, its extraordinary 9,300 acres of hardwood forest with 25 miles of hiking trails giving the finest free outdoor experience within a state capital. The Capitol Market in the historic B and O Railroad freight house is the finest farmers market in Charleston, its extraordinary local WV produce, craft vendors and food stalls giving the finest Saturday morning market in the state. Forest free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Mystery Hole near Ansted on US-60 is the finest hidden roadside oddity in West Virginia, its extraordinary gravity-defying building where water runs uphill and balls roll against gravity in the most extraordinary optical illusion attraction in the Appalachians. Entry approx $6. The most extraordinary hidden gem near New River Gorge.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: The Greenbrier Main Dining Room The most extraordinary breakfast in West Virginia. Extraordinary local Appalachian produce. | Lunch: Sam Sneads Tavern, The Greenbrier Outstanding Greenbrier lunch. Extraordinary local WV cuisine in the finest resort in the Appalachians. | Dinner: 1010 Bridge Road, Charleston The finest restaurant in Charleston. Extraordinary local West Virginia produce and craft cocktails.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Seneca Rocks, Night 1 Seneca Shadows Campground or Yokum's Vacationland. Approx $60 to $130 per night. Fayetteville, Night 2 Aventures on the Gorge or Cathedral Cafe B and B. Approx $90 to $180 per night. White Sulphur Springs, Night 3 The Greenbrier Resort or Old White Inn. Approx $150 to $500 per night.
Top Tips
1. New River Gorge Bridge Walk gives the most extraordinary view of the gorge. Book at bridgewalk.com ahead.
2. Seneca Rocks sunrise hike starts at 6am and gives the most extraordinary Potomac Highlands view in WV.
3. Blackwater Falls best viewed after heavy rain when the tannic water runs at its most extraordinary amber.
4. The Greenbrier bunker tour is the finest Cold War hidden history experience in the eastern United States.
5. New River Gorge whitewater: Class V Upper Gauley in autumn is the finest whitewater in the East.
6. Spruce Knob at 4,863 feet gives the finest 360-degree view of the Alleghenies. Free and extraordinary.
Total Budget
$100 to $170/day