If you want to see all the beauty of West Virginia, but have a limited budget, these spots are for you. Some of the best places in the Mountain State are absolutely free! This is the perfect time of year to get outdoors, so start making plans now. Here are some of the free outdoor activities in West Virginia you can do.
- Enjoy the views at Cooper’s Rock State Forest.
Kevin Frick Photography Take in the view from the scenic overlook, or hike around the forest to discover the abandoned iron furnace. Read more about the forest here.
- Visit the waterfalls at Blackwater Falls State Park.
http://www.forestwander.com The park has several majestic waterfalls that are some of the most photographed in West Virginia. Read more about the park here.
- Walk through the historical district of Harpers Ferry.
Flickr/Noel Benadom You can see the site of John Brown’s famous raid, and many other buildings that were strategic during the Civil War. Read more about the town here.
- Hike the West Virginia portion of the Appalachian Trail.
Appalachian Trail Conservancy West Virginia’s part of the trail is just 4 miles, and passes through Harpers Ferry. Read more here.
- Drive or ride on the Highland Scenic Highway.
Flickr/RonEskins This road provides perfect views of the wilderness in Pocahontas County. Read more about this scenic drive here.
- Hike or bike the North Bend Rail Trail.
North Bend Rails to Trails Foundation, Inc./Facebook This trail on an abandoned stretch of railroad goes through 72 miles of West Virginia. If you only have time to hike part of the trail, check out these suggested few miles here.
- Walk through the award-winning gardens at Oglebay Park.
Oglebay Resort & Conference Center/Facebook This resort and public park in Wheeling was created from the estate of Earl W. Oglebay, who wanted to donate some of his property to create a beautiful place for recreation. Read more about the park and things to do here.
- Hike around the islands at Sandstone Falls.
Flickr/laserbub One of West Virginia’s widest waterfalls stretches between two islands. Find out more about the area here.
- Visit the New River Gorge.
New River Gorge National River/Facebook You can get impressive views of the gorge and the bridge from the visitor’s center in Fayetteville. See what else is around town.
- Walk around the ghost town of Thurmond.
Flickr/Mike Tewkesbury This former mining town has just five residents now, but it’s well-preserved by the National Park Service. Read more about the town here.
- See the beautiful rhododendrons at Grandview.
New River Gorge National River/Facebook Besides the epic view of the gorge here, you’ll also get a special treat in the springtime as the rhododendrons are blooming. Read more here.
Looking for more free fun? Here are 10 more free outdoor activities in West Virginia you can do without spending a dime.
Kevin Frick Photography
Take in the view from the scenic overlook, or hike around the forest to discover the abandoned iron furnace. Read more about the forest here.
The park has several majestic waterfalls that are some of the most photographed in West Virginia. Read more about the park here.
Flickr/Noel Benadom
You can see the site of John Brown’s famous raid, and many other buildings that were strategic during the Civil War. Read more about the town here.
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
West Virginia’s part of the trail is just 4 miles, and passes through Harpers Ferry. Read more here.
Flickr/RonEskins
This road provides perfect views of the wilderness in Pocahontas County. Read more about this scenic drive here.
North Bend Rails to Trails Foundation, Inc./Facebook
This trail on an abandoned stretch of railroad goes through 72 miles of West Virginia. If you only have time to hike part of the trail, check out these suggested few miles here.
Oglebay Resort & Conference Center/Facebook
This resort and public park in Wheeling was created from the estate of Earl W. Oglebay, who wanted to donate some of his property to create a beautiful place for recreation. Read more about the park and things to do here.
Flickr/laserbub
One of West Virginia’s widest waterfalls stretches between two islands. Find out more about the area here.
New River Gorge National River/Facebook
You can get impressive views of the gorge and the bridge from the visitor’s center in Fayetteville. See what else is around town.
Flickr/Mike Tewkesbury
This former mining town has just five residents now, but it’s well-preserved by the National Park Service. Read more about the town here.
Besides the epic view of the gorge here, you’ll also get a special treat in the springtime as the rhododendrons are blooming. Read more here.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Coopers Rock State Forest, 61 County Line Dr, Bruceton Mills, WV 26525, USAAddress: Blackwater Falls State Park, 1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd, Davis, WV 26260, USAAddress: Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, USAAddress: Appalachian Trail Conservancy, 799 Washington St, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, USAAddress: Highland Scenic Highway, Highland Scenic Hwy, West Virginia, USAAddress: North Bend Rail-Trail, Salem, WV, USAAddress: Unnamed Road, Wheeling, WV 26003, USAAddress: Sandstone Falls, West Virginia 25918, USAAddress: US-19, Victor, WV 25938, USAAddress: Thurmond, WV 25901, USAAddress: Grandview, WV 25813, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Free Outdoor Activities In West Virginia May 07, 2021 Leah What are some other things to do outdoors in West Virginia? West Virginia is full of beautiful views, and there are fun ways to take advantage of the scenery. You can do things like go horseback riding through the picturesque Canaan Valley State Park or walk through the mesmerizing rock formations in Beartown State Park. If you enjoy seeing waterfalls, head to Sandstone Falls, scenically located in between two islands. In the summertime, a trip to the lake is perfect. A place like Summersville Lake is perfect - it’s in the name, after all! You can swim, boat, even scuba dive. You can even take sailing lessons on the lake. Which attractions in West Virginia should I visit? Explore more of West Virginia’s coolest attractions by checking out this list. All of these places should be on your state bucket list. From impressively huge and beautiful structures like the Palace of Gold in Moundsville, West Virginia to important historic sites like the Blair Mountain Battlefield, there’s a bit of everything. Whether you enjoy majestic nature spots, interesting tidbits of West Virginia history, or just fun things to do, that list has you covered and then some. What are the best day trips in West Virginia? There are day trips for every month of the year in West Virginia. In the winter, you can vacation at Snowshoe Village in Pocahontas County. This resort has heated outdoor pools - yes, outdoor - that you can comfortably swim in no matter the temperature. In the spring, take a covered bridge tour through the state’s picturesque and historic bridges. During warmer months like June or July, float down the Shenandoah River on a tubing trip. You’ll find all of these day trip ideas and more on this list of West Virginia day trips for every month of the year we put together.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Free Outdoor Activities In West Virginia
May 07, 2021
Leah
What are some other things to do outdoors in West Virginia? West Virginia is full of beautiful views, and there are fun ways to take advantage of the scenery. You can do things like go horseback riding through the picturesque Canaan Valley State Park or walk through the mesmerizing rock formations in Beartown State Park. If you enjoy seeing waterfalls, head to Sandstone Falls, scenically located in between two islands. In the summertime, a trip to the lake is perfect. A place like Summersville Lake is perfect - it’s in the name, after all! You can swim, boat, even scuba dive. You can even take sailing lessons on the lake. Which attractions in West Virginia should I visit? Explore more of West Virginia’s coolest attractions by checking out this list. All of these places should be on your state bucket list. From impressively huge and beautiful structures like the Palace of Gold in Moundsville, West Virginia to important historic sites like the Blair Mountain Battlefield, there’s a bit of everything. Whether you enjoy majestic nature spots, interesting tidbits of West Virginia history, or just fun things to do, that list has you covered and then some. What are the best day trips in West Virginia? There are day trips for every month of the year in West Virginia. In the winter, you can vacation at Snowshoe Village in Pocahontas County. This resort has heated outdoor pools - yes, outdoor - that you can comfortably swim in no matter the temperature. In the spring, take a covered bridge tour through the state’s picturesque and historic bridges. During warmer months like June or July, float down the Shenandoah River on a tubing trip. You’ll find all of these day trip ideas and more on this list of West Virginia day trips for every month of the year we put together.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
West Virginia is full of beautiful views, and there are fun ways to take advantage of the scenery. You can do things like go horseback riding through the picturesque Canaan Valley State Park or walk through the mesmerizing rock formations in Beartown State Park. If you enjoy seeing waterfalls, head to Sandstone Falls, scenically located in between two islands. In the summertime, a trip to the lake is perfect. A place like Summersville Lake is perfect - it’s in the name, after all! You can swim, boat, even scuba dive. You can even take sailing lessons on the lake.
Which attractions in West Virginia should I visit?
Explore more of West Virginia’s coolest attractions by checking out this list. All of these places should be on your state bucket list. From impressively huge and beautiful structures like the Palace of Gold in Moundsville, West Virginia to important historic sites like the Blair Mountain Battlefield, there’s a bit of everything. Whether you enjoy majestic nature spots, interesting tidbits of West Virginia history, or just fun things to do, that list has you covered and then some.
What are the best day trips in West Virginia?
There are day trips for every month of the year in West Virginia. In the winter, you can vacation at Snowshoe Village in Pocahontas County. This resort has heated outdoor pools - yes, outdoor - that you can comfortably swim in no matter the temperature. In the spring, take a covered bridge tour through the state’s picturesque and historic bridges. During warmer months like June or July, float down the Shenandoah River on a tubing trip. You’ll find all of these day trip ideas and more on this list of West Virginia day trips for every month of the year we put together.
