LOOKING FOR PLACES TO GO ON YOUR WEEKLONG WEST VIRGINIA ROAD TRIP?
West Virginia is one of the most beautiful and mountainous states to explore by car! If you enjoy breathtaking scenery, outdoor recreation, and history, West Virginia is the state to visit. You won’t run out of things to do and places to see on your weeklong road trip.
7-Day West Virginia Road Trip Itinerary: An Overview
Choosing between all the fantastic destinations in a place can make planning a road trip stressful. After looking into (and experiencing) some of the most popular and most loved places in West Virginia, we’ve come up with a list of seven destinations for you to see on your trip.
This itinerary can be used as a starting point, but feel free to remove or add any other destinations that catch your eye!
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The Ultimate 7-Day West Virginia Road Trip Itinerary
This 7-day West Virginia road trip itinerary features seven fantastic destinations throughout 404 miles of pure scenery. Take the trip in either direction or make it a loop to end up where you started. This itinerary covers some of the best outdoor attractions with many historical towns to sleep in or visit.
If you plan on beginning your road trip from Harpers Ferry, the closest airports are the Dulles International Airport or the Eastern West Virginia Regional Airport.
If you plan on starting your road trip from White Sulfur Springs, you can fly into the Greenbrier Valley airport or the Raleigh County airport. Additionally, if you make this route a loop, it only adds about three and a half hours to your drive, and you can choose any of these destinations as your starting point.
Day 1: Harpers Ferry National Historic Park
Harpers Ferry National Historic Park is an absolute must-see during your weeklong road trip throughout West Virginia. This historic park is known for its 19th-century architecture, Civil War history, and convergence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers called The Point.
You can say you saw three states on this road trip if you visit Harpers Ferry because, from The Point, you get fantastic panoramic views of Virginia and Maryland.
Things To Do
For history lovers, stroll downtown to see the Civil War Museum and John Brown’s Fort, an abolitionist raid site. There are also fantastic hiking trails and recreation opportunities, but the most popular trail by far is the Maryland Heights trailhead that overlooks this historic town. We recommend checking out the trail and downtown because there is so much to learn!
Places To Stay
If you don’t want to wander too far from Harpers Ferry, there are some great bed-and-breakfast and camping options. However, they can get booked quickly due to the limited options, so another great option is staying in Shepherdstown.
It’s a 20-minute drive to the historic town that overlooks the Potomac River and features a quaint downtown area great for shopping.
The Drive
After exploring Harpers Ferry, your next stop will be Seneca Rocks. The drive is approximately 127 miles, taking about 2 hours and 30 minutes. The quickest route is via US-48W.
If you’re intimidated by the length of the drive, don’t worry because your next three stops are all close to each other and require minimal driving!
Day 2: Seneca Rocks
Next up on the list is Seneca Rocks! Seneca Rocks is one of the most famous and well-known landmarks in all of West Virginia, so if you’re making the trip, you might as well add it to your list of things to see!
The community of Seneca Rocks is at the convergence of Seneca Creek and North Fork River, and the rocks rise almost 900 feet into the air.
Things To Do
Seneca Rocks is a great place to appreciate the natural rock formation and explore the surrounding scenery. It’s well-liked for its rock climbing and nearby hiking trails that circle and lead up to the formation.
Seneca Rocks would be a great place to stop for lunch because there is a picnic area and Discovery Center to learn more about this famous attraction!
Places to Stay
After the long morning drive and day of exploring, there are a few options for where you can choose to settle in for the night. If you’ve brought your camping gear, the Dolly Sods Wilderness is nearby and is well-liked by outdoor enthusiasts.
If you’re looking for a comfortable bed to crash in, we recommend driving up to Canaan Valley (in the direction of your next adventure)!
The Drive
After exploring Seneca Rocks, the next place to visit is Canaan Valley. From Seneca Rocks, it is 35 miles away, taking a little less than an hour. However, if you decide to spend the night in Canaan Valley or Dolly Sods, your drive will be much shorter!
Check out day three for more ideas for places to stay in Canaan Valley.
Day 3: Canaan Valley
Canaan Valley is an upland valley that is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. It’s home to Canaan Valley Resort State Park, Canaan Valley Ski Resort, and the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. No matter what time you visit, there is always something to do in this area of West Virginia!
Things To Do
Canaan Valley is one of West Virginia’s largest state parks and is worth a visit for its aerial views from the ski lift any time of the year! The Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge has various trail options for visitors to explore 22 miles of mountain biking and 29 miles of hiking trails.
Additional recreation opportunities include fishing, golfing, boating, and camping, depending on the time of the year you decide to visit.
Places to Stay
There are plenty of great places to stay within Canaan Valley. The most popular are Canaan Valley State Park cabin rentals, Best of Canaan, and Black Bear Resort. The top three hotels and inns include The Alpine Lodge, The Inn at Canaan, and Black Bear Resort in Davis, West Virginia.
The Drive
Driving on Route 32 is said to be one of the most scenic drives in West Virginia as you make your way toward the town of Davis.
To arrive at your next destination, Blackwater Falls State Park, you’ll follow Route 32 for 12 miles, taking less than 20 minutes. Make sure to have your camera out for some great shots!
Day 4: Blackwater Falls State Park
Blackwater Falls is one of my all-time favorite places to explore in West Virginia. Located near Davis, Blackwater Falls State Park is known for its 62-foot cascading waterfall, amber waters, and lush forest. It’s also one of the most photographed spots in the state! During your road trip, you’ll soon understand why!
Things To Do
One of the benefits of Blackwater Falls is that it’s enjoyable to visit year-round. Visiting during the summer months provides plenty of opportunities to go hiking, camping, fishing, swimming, geocaching, or boating. That doesn’t mean there is less to do in the winter because you can go snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or down the famous sled run!
Places to Stay
We highly recommend staying within Blackwater Falls to make the most of this destination! The park offers camping (limited during the wintertime), a lodge, or cabin rentals!
If you don’t want to stay within the park, check out the accommodation options listed for Canaan Valley in the neighboring town of Davis!
The Drive
For the past two days, you’ve had a break from the longer car rides to experience the scenery near Davis, West Virginia. However, your next destination is Hawks Nest State Park, about a 3-hour drive, 165 miles away!
Buckle up because you’ve got a drive ahead of you on Route 19, which offers plenty of cool towns to stop to stretch your legs.
Day 5: Hawks Nest State Park
Hawks Nest is a beautiful state park in West Virginia for its panoramic views overlooking the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. It’s a 270-acre park jam-packed with things to see and do and places to explore year-round!
Visitors can hike, swim, fish, and boat at their leisure, but that’s just getting into some of the fun things that Hawks Nest offers!
Things To Do
If you’re a fan of water sports, you’ve stumbled into the right place because Hawks Nest offers jet boat rides and one of the most challenging whitewater boating waters in the United States!
The recreation area includes an aerial tramway, a nature museum, and hiking trails. There are guided bridge walks, airplane rides, and rock climbing within proximity of the park as well.
If you want to explore just north of the park, Cathedral Falls in Gauley Bridge is a popular destination! Kanawha Falls is another breathtaking but farther waterfall near Hawks Nest!
Places to Stay
After checking out Hawks Nest and nearby waterfalls, a fantastic place to crash is the town of Fayetteville, West Virginia. It’s located less than twenty minutes away with an 11-mile drive south. It’s between Hawks Nest and your next destination, New River Gorge, and is known as one of America’s coolest small towns.
Plus, if you need a pick-me-up, they have a great brewery spot called Pies and Pints and a great coffee shop called Kool Beanz.
The Drive
You can enter the New River Gorge National Park in various places, but the Canyon Rim Visitor Center is the closest entrance point from Fayetteville. It’s about two miles away from the town and a five-minute drive.
Canyon Rim is also one of the best visitor centers because you can park and take the boardwalk to view the New River Gorge bridge!
Day 6: New River Gorge National Park
One of the best destinations on this 7-day West Virginia road trip itinerary is the New River Gorge National Park. As the state’s only national park, this is one of the most visited locations in West Virginia.
It’s known for the New River Gorge bridge, whitewater rafting, great camping options, and phenomenal recreation opportunities.
Things To Do
You won’t run out of things to do during your visit to New River Gorge because the park encompasses 70,000 acres along the New River! Some of the best hikes if you’re short on time include Endless Wall Trail, Long Point, and Grandview Rim Trail.
Consider driving Fayetteville Station Road for some fantastic views, or visit the historic railroad town of Thurmond!
The longer you stay, the more options you have to schedule a white water rafting trip, walk to Sandstone Falls, or see the coal town ruins at Nuttallburg. However long you choose to stay, you won’t be disappointed.
Places to Stay
There are many fantastic places to stay near New River Gorge, from budget-friendly camping to luxury resorts. There are also cabin rentals, VRBOs, and lodges for big parties.
Whatever kind of venue you need, there are accommodations for you in the area! For an exciting stay, we recommend Adventures on the Gorge!
The Drive
Your weeklong West Virginia road trip is coming to an end! The last stop on the list is White Sulfur Springs, which is about 60 miles away from Fayetteville. It’ll take less than an hour and a half to drive when you take the I-64E and US-60E.
Day 7: White Sulfur Springs
White Sulfur Springs is a quaint town in southeastern West Virginia with great dining, shopping, and recreation areas. White Sulfur Springs is a great place to end your road trip because after exploring the outdoors, this town is a great way to experience West Virginia culture.
Whether you’re looking to decompress, get your shopping on, or continue with your outdoor fun, White Sulfur Springs is the place to be.
Things To Do
The dining experience is immaculate in White Sulfur Springs for those looking for a sports bar and grill, breweries, classic American, or fine dining. Main Street is known for its unique small-town specialty shops, from clothing to gift shops to cutlery!
Additionally, the Greenbrier River Trail is a 78-mile prior railroad now paved and used for biking, walking, and hiking!
Places to Stay
There is no way to mention White Sulfur Springs without recommending staying at the Greenbrier. This resort is on 11,000 acres and has 240 dining options, an on-site casino, a secret Cold War bunker, and horse-drawn carriage rides.
If you’re going to White Sulfur Springs, this is hands down the place that you should stay.
The Drive
Well, that is the end of your weeklong road trip throughout West Virginia! To make this road trip a loop, you can head back towards Harpers Ferry. Doing so would take around three and a half hours to drive for the 214 miles in distance.
Otherwise, feel free to fly out of one of the closer airports nearby (the Greenbrier Valley Airport or the Raleigh County Airport).
FAQs: West Virginia Road Trip Itinerary
Now that we’ve covered the seven best destinations on a weeklong West Virginia road trip, we can discuss some of the most frequently asked questions!
Is there any reason to visit West Virginia?
Some reasons to visit West Virginia are the beautiful scenery, abundance of outdoor recreation opportunities, and historic towns.
Where to stop in West Virginia?
There are many great destinations to visit in West Virginia! This 7-day West Virginia road trip itinerary covers Harpers Ferry, Seneca Rocks, Canaan Valley, Blackwater Falls State Park, Hawks Nest State Park, New River Gorge National Park, and White Sulfur Springs.
What is there to do on Route 19 in West Virginia?
There are plenty of interesting places and towns to visit on Route 19. This road runs south to north through Central Virginia, and some of the popular places to stop include Princeton, Beckley, Oak Hill, Fayetteville, Summersville, and Morgantown.
Do you drive through mountains in West Virginia?
West Virginia features the Appalachian Mountains and some of the best mountainous drives. The roads often wind through lush forests, mountainous hills, and next to great overlooks.
Wrapping Up: 7-Day West Virginia Road Trip Itinerary
There you have it! A seven-destination itinerary for your weeklong road trip through West Virginia! Hopefully, this blog post has inspired you to check out some of these fantastic attractions, towns, and parks within West Virginia! Feel free to adjust it as you see fit, whether you add a stop, remove one, or extend your stay!
Safe travels!
Author Bio: Samantha Kaiser is the author and owner of www.thelifestyletravelers.com – a travel blog highlighting an on-the-road, outdoor lifestyle.
