From rock climbing to skiing, this hidden gem is perfect for outdoor-loving families
FAYETTEVILLE, West Virginia ― If you had told me in January I'd be going to West Virginia twice this year, I don't think I would have believed you, but I'm so glad I can now say I have been.
West Virginia is an outdoor adventurer's paradise, and although even locals don't always take advantage of the resources right on their doorstep, the state is truly a hidden gem of the great outdoors.
'West Virginia is just often an underrated destination as a whole, and maybe not the first thought for a really high adventure destination,' Lindsey Funk, a public relations assistant at the West Virginia Department of Tourism, told me during my first visit, in May. For that, she said, even West Virginians often go elsewhere.
But the Mountain State is trying to remind residents and visitors alike that it's a great place for any pace of outdoor adventure.
Hiking and nature
Probably the lowest barrier to entry for the outdoor adventure novice is a hike or a nature walk in West Virginia. The state and national parks, almost all of which are free to access, have nearly endless trails and scenic lookouts.
West Virginia is a year-round destination, with breathtaking foliage in the fall and gorgeous vistas the rest of the year, according to Funk.
'In the state as a whole, hiking is probably one of our most family-friendly activities,' she said.
From the Endless Wall trail in the New River Gorge to the West Virginia Waterfall trail – an official guide to the state's most beautiful water features – there's something for everyone. Just remember to bring a sturdy pair of shoes.
On a recent personal trip to the New River Gorge and Charleston this spring, I saw firsthand how stunning the scenery along the Endless Wall trail can be. With scenic vistas throughout the gorge, including a unique perspective on the famous bridge, hiking there is relatively low-intensity and well worth the payoff.
The entire trail is just under 5.5 miles out and back, according to AllTrails, but can easily be shortened after taking in some of the views.
High adventure: Climbing and rafting
For those seeking more adrenaline, West Virginia is also a great destination for rock climbing and whitewater rafting, both of which can be found in the New River Gorge.
During the spring trip, I had a chance to raft on the lower New River, with rapids up to Class V, thanks to heavy rain in the days leading up to the excursion.
With swift-moving water, the entire trip took around an hour and a half to two hours to cover about 14 miles, and the rapids were characterized primarily by big, rolling waves.
The guide on the trip, from ACE Whitewater Rafting, said water levels can significantly change the dynamics of the river, which is why it's important to always travel with a guide. Whitewater rafting is an extreme sport, but guides make it much safer.
There are numerous outfits throughout the New River Gorge that provide guided whitewater rafting excursions.
Novice climbers may also want a guide or a more experienced buddy if they're checking out the crags.
For rock climbers of all skill levels, West Virginia and the New River Gorge are also almost heaven.
Crags around Fayetteville offer opportunities for outdoor bouldering, top roping, sport and trad climbing for all skill levels. There are also opportunities for deep water soloing at Summersville Lake State Park during the summer.
I took a trip in July to join Queerclimbtastic, an LGBTQ+ rock climbing retreat held every summer in the New River Gorge, and saw firsthand how great the climbing opportunities are in the state. It was my first time climbing outside after years of indoor-only climbing, and I'm already excited to go back next year and explore other crags closer to home in the meantime.
Bike City, USA
Charleston is West Virginia's urban gateway to the wilderness, about an hour from the New River Gorge. It's also home to a professional circuit bike race and is trying to grow its presence as a destination for road and mountain biking.
The state's capital is also a great place to use as a home base for a trip to West Virginia.
'Charleston's more of a cityscape for us, a smaller city, but this is a great place for downtown shops and events,' Funk said. 'But then, just an hour away, is so many acres of public land and those outdoor adventure options.'
Charleston has a budding food and brewery scene, an extensive farmer's market and is also home to Mountain Stage, a long-running NPR program that broadcasts two hours of performed-live country music nationwide.
Winter sports
Funk said West Virginia is a year-round state and also has a handful of small ski resorts, which are great for beginners interested in trying out the sport.
'We are a four-season destination,' she said.
Jim and Cara Hocking are full-time travel content creators and said they visited Winter Place, one of West Virginia's ski resorts, earlier this year with their four kids. Only Cara had skied before, and she said it was a great place for the rest of her family to learn.
'It was exactly what we needed, we had someone that was there that taught us the basics, taught our kids the basics,' Jim told me. 'It was a perfect place to have your first skiing experience in my mind.'
How to get there and where to stay
The closest airport will depend on exactly where you're going in the state, but for both of my trips to the New River Gorge, I flew into Charleston, the state capital of West Virginia. From there, it's about an hour to an hour and a half drive to Fayetteville, which is a significant gateway to the Gorge's outdoor recreation areas.
Lodging options in and around Fayetteville include campsites, cabin rentals, traditional hotels, B&Bs and more. Options are also available in Charleston for those looking for a more urban base camp for their travels.
Public transit options are limited, so visitors should plan to rent a car to get around.
The reporter on this story received access from West Virginia's Department of Tourism. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.
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Winter sports Funk said West Virginia is a year-round state and also has a handful of small ski resorts, which are great for beginners interested in trying out the sport. 'We are a four-season destination,' she said. Jim and Cara Hocking are full-time travel content creators and said they visited Winter Place, one of West Virginia's ski resorts, earlier this year with their four kids. Only Cara had skied before, and she said it was a great place for the rest of her family to learn. 'It was exactly what we needed, we had someone that was there that taught us the basics, taught our kids the basics,' Jim told me. 'It was a perfect place to have your first skiing experience in my mind.' How to get there and where to stay The closest airport will depend on exactly where you're going in the state, but for both of my trips to the New River Gorge, I flew into Charleston, the state capital of West Virginia. From there, it's about an hour to an hour and a half drive to Fayetteville, which is a significant gateway to the Gorge's outdoor recreation areas. Lodging options in and around Fayetteville include campsites, cabin rentals, traditional hotels, B&Bs and more. Options are also available in Charleston for those looking for a more urban base camp for their travels. Public transit options are limited, so visitors should plan to rent a car to get around. The reporter on this story received access from West Virginia's Department of Tourism. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.
