West Virginia might not be what comes to mind when you think of taking a “Fall road trip”. However, this highly underrated state is a sight to behold, especially come autumn. Known as the “Mountain State”, West Virginia is the only state completely within the Appalachian Mountain range and the third most forested state in the U.S., making it the perfect place to take the ultimate Fall road trip.
West Virginia is also home to America’s newest national park, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, plus 35 state parks, 9 forests, 5 rail trails, 1.5 million acres of parks and public land, and over 1,500 miles of hiking trails. Not only that, West Virginia is world-renowned for ATVing and off-roading and whitewater rafting (the Upper Gauley River boasts the second best rapids in the U.S.)!
Basically, West Virginia is an outdoor lover’s paradise spanning gorgeous mountains, rivers, forests and waterfalls. For this reason alone, we recommend coming here in the autumn when you can experience the beautiful Fall foliage and experience some of the best outdoor adventures West Virginia has to offer!!
If you’re looking for the ultimate Fall road trip in West Virginia, we’ve got you covered. *Please note that this itinerary focuses on the Southern part of West Virginia, however there are many amazing places to visit in the state in the Fall. Also, this itinerary is only 4 days, however, you could extend your stay and see more of the state. Thank you to the West Virginia Department of Tourism for inviting and hosting us on this paid partnership.
Day 1: Hike in New River Gorge National Park
After arriving in Charleston at the West Virginia International Yeager Airport and renting a car, head south towards Beaver, which is located right outside New River Gorge National Park. There are some great lodging options around here, but we recommend the Cabins at Pine Haven. They offer charming cabins of different sizes, complete with a kitchen and all the amenities you need for a cozy night stay.
Later in the day, head out for a hike in New River Gorge National Park to enjoy the scenic views and the Fall foliage along this incredible river gorge. Take the Grandview Rim trail to Turkey Spur Rock, which is the perfect, easy hike to soak in the views along this trail. Make sure to enjoy the sunset at Grandview Overlook.
Other notable trails located in the national park if you find you have the extra time, include the Endless Wall trail and the Long Point trail, both of which showcase some of West Virginia’s most spectacular mountain landscapes, especially in the Fall.
Day 2: Explore the Hatfield-McCoy trails by ATV
In the morning, head to Ashland Resort, located about an hour away from Beaver in Northfolk, West Virginia. This resort is also a campground and is situated near the award-winning Hatfield-McCoy Trail System. Featuring lodges, rustic cottages, and basic camping cabins plus a variety of RV and tent camping facilities, Ashland Resort offers convenience and comfort. It’s also the perfect location for ATV and dirt bike enthusiasts. For ATV/UTV rentals, you can go to the nearby Ashland Company Store.
Spend the majority of the day on an off-roading adventure riding the world-famous @hatfield.mccoy.trails trail system. The Hatfield-McCoy Trails cut and wind through the beautiful mountains of southern West Virginia to create one of the largest off-highway vehicle trail systems in the world! These trails are open to ATV’s, UTV’s and dirt bikes. The Hatfield-McCoy Trails have something for every skill level rider, from the scenic mountain views to the forested, windy trails, many of which connect to small ATV-friendly towns. These trails are stunning!
Later in the day explore the charming, historic town of Bramwell and stop at The Corner Shop (make sure to get one of their famous milkshakes!) and head to Pinnacle Rock State Park nearby for sunset. The Pinnacle Rock Overlook, located a short walk from the parking lot, provides a view of the surrounding mountains and forest, a sight to behold during the peak of Fall!
Day 3: Spend a day in Pipestem Resort State Park
Drive to Pipestem Resort State Park in the morning and get ready for an epic day of adventure. This park is absolutely gorgeous in the Fall! Pipestem Resort State Park is West Virginia’s premier family adventure resort. Sitting along the Bluestone River Gorge, Pipestem offers something for everyone including exhilarating zipline tours, guided fishing trips, mountain bike excursions, hiking trails, golfing and more. During the warmer months, you can even spend some time at the park’s lake and new adventure splash park. In addition, you can rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards, or go on a tubing or whitewater adventure on the Bluestone River.
One of our favorite family activities offered in Pipestem is mountain biking. You can rent regular mountain bikes or e-bikes from Pipestem Adventures and ride the many trails and/or roads in the park or even take a guided mountain bike tour. If you have the time in the afternoon, you can also go ziplining on 12 cables that take you over the gorge and through the trees–a total rush! Spend the night in the lodge or one of the cabins at Pipestem Resort. It’s the perfect location for all the action!
Day 4: Kayak on the New River
On the last day, drive to the quaint town of Hinton, a short drive from Pipestem Resort State Park. Hinton is known as the gateway to the New River Gorge National River, and is also in close proximity to Bluestone State Park. Situated right on the New River, this charming community is known for its yearly Railroad Days Festival, which happens in October.
Our recommendation is to rent some kayaks from Can Outdoors, a short drive up the river from Hinton. Paddle down the New River for a few hours and then get picked up at the end by the owner of the shop. Here you will enjoy the scenic views of the river and the surrounding landscapes in full Fall display. It’s truly spectacular! Once you’re finished kayaking, head back to Hinton to grab a bite to eat at The Market on Courthouse Square. The burgers are excellent!
Later in the day, head to Sandstone Falls, an amazing 1,500 ft long waterfall in the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve. The best time of day is sunset here, so get here a little early to explore some of the different trails and vantage points of these beautiful waterfalls. It will be the perfect way to end your day on the ultimate Fall road trip in West Virginia!
Ready for your own Fall West Virginia getaway? Head to WVTourism.com to learn more and start planning your next family road trip to the Mountain State!