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Top Destinations in West Virginia, United States

Explore a destination located in West Virginia, United States

West Virginia

West Virginia is located in the northeastern corner of the United States and has a population of around 1.7 million people. The state capital is Charleston which is home to around 45,000 of the state’s residents.[5] The land of West Virginia was originally part of Virginia before it separated from its neighboring state in 1863.[9] West Virginia is the third most forested state in the nation, with several state forests and parks. The Appalachian Trail Region encompasses the state.[10] Greenbrier, a large resort in Charleston known as a resting stop for many United States presidents, attracts thousands of visitors a year.[2] Tourist activity in the state often revolves around outdoor activities such as hiking, snow sports, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, and cave exploring.[3] Summers in West Virginia are warm and sunny, while the winter season is cold and frigid. The state receives several inches of snow and rain annually.[6] West Virginia produces many natural resources from its large mining and timber industries.[1] The New River Gorge Bridge, the largest steel-arch bridge in the western hemisphere, is located in West Virginia.[4]

What West Virginia is known for

West Virginia is located in the northeastern corner of the United States. The state’s name was originally going to be “Kanawha,” a name to honor the Native American tribes who first inhabited the land; instead, the name West Virginia was chosen as the state was originally part of Virginia, of whom it shares its eastern borders[9]. The state also shares borders with Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Kentucky. Some refer to West Virginia as the “Mountain State” this is because West Virginia is the only state within the Appalachian Mountain Region. The average elevation in West Virginia is higher than any other state east of the Mississippi River.[10] The capital city of West Virginia is Charleston, with a population of 45,000 residents. Other large cities in the state include Huntington, Morgantown, and Parkersburg. The overall population of West Virginia is 1.7 million people. The overall age distribution throughout the state is uniform. However, there is an increased number of citizens over the age of 65.[5]

There are several highly trafficked attractions in West Virginia, most of which contain outdoor activities. Blackwater Fall State Park, the Monongahela National Forest, New River Gorge National River, and the Seneca Caverns are all outdoor recreation areas. Here visitors can hike, go whitewater rafting, cave exploring, camping, and mountain biking. The New River Gorge National River Bridge is located in West Virginia. This bridge was once the largest steel-arch bridge in the world but has since become the largest in the western hemisphere. The bridge was built in 1977. The Greenbrier is the most visited attraction in West Virginia. The resort was built shortly after the Civil War and has been visited by 26 of the United States Presidents. Greenbrier has over 700 rooms and a museum known for its underground bunker and large gardens. Tours are offered through the bunker and museum.[2]

Around 3.96 million individuals visit West Virginia every year. Around 10% of these visitors come for outdoor recreational activities, another 10% visit while passing through on road trips while hiking the Appalachian Trail, or for bus tours. The remaining percentage are typically in the area to visit family and friends. Most people who spend time in West Virginia come from the land’s neighboring states, such as Ohio or Virginia. West Virginia makes around 4.3 billion dollars from tourism annually. Over 45,000 tourism-related jobs are funded in West Virginia.[3]

Prominent businesses in West Virginia include the West Virginia United Health System, CAMC Health System, and the Brand Energy and Infrastructure Services.[4] Most revenue made in West Virginia comes from the state’s primary industries: mining and lumber work. Due to the state’s dense forestry and quantity of mountains, there are several large lumber yards where wood products are produced. In the mountains, many primary metals are mined, raising over 4.6 billion dollars annually. Coal mining is another large point of industry in West Virginia. The state produces 15% of the nation’s fossil fuel energy. Salts, oils, natural gases, and other chemicals are produced from within the state as well.[1]

Geography

The state of West Virginia has a shape some would say looks like a leaping frog. The state is bordered by Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Kentucky. Its unusual shape is created from its winding borders along the Appalachian Mountains and the Ohio River.[4] The state can be divided into two geographical regions. The first of these is the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region. This region includes the Appalachian and Blue Ridge Mountains, starting in the state's northeastern corner and running through to the southwest. The geography of this region is known for its parallel ridges cut by streams, steep canyons, forests, caves, and high peaks. The state's highest point, called the Spruce Knob, is located in the Appalachian Ridge and Valley Region. The second geographical region is the Allegheny Plateau. The region covers the remaining land of the state with flat-topped hills, round peaks, deep gorges, and the Allegheny Front, a wall of mountains dividing the state.[10]

Over 70 variations of mammals inhabit West Virginia, along with 300 species of birds. Some of the mammals in the state include northern flying squirrels, raccoons, skunks, and the state animal, the black bear. Common birds in the region include wild turkeys, ruffed grouse, barred owls, bald eagles, cerulean warblers, and the ruby-throated hummingbirds. Reptiles and amphibians in West Virginia consist of corn snakes, fence lizards, five-lined skinks, cricket frogs, and Allegheny Mountain dusky salamanders. West Virginia spring salamanders come from the state and live in both geographical regions.[7]

Plantlife in the region is ample as Virginia is the United State's third most-forested state. The most common trees within the state include hemlock, red spruce, cedar, ash, pitch pine, hickory, and cucumber tree. West Virginia is known for its timber and protected woodlands; consequently, the land produces a large amount of lumber and wood products. Many varieties of wildflowers cover the state, such as the Virginia bluebells, Virginia buttonweed, Virginia strawberry, and Virginia potatoes.[8] West Virginia's largest cash crops produce hay, corn, and tobacco.[1]

The weather in West Virginia changes dramatically based on the season, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. The summer season lasts from May to September and has an average daily temperature of 73 degrees Fahrenheit. The hottest month of the year in West Virginia is July. Winter is typically three months long, from December to March. The average daily temperature during the cold season is around 49 degrees Fahrenheit, its coldest month being January. It is partly cloudy year round in West Virginia. West Virginia gets an average of 45 inches of rain per year and 32 inches of snow. There is an average of 144 days with precipitation every year.[6]

History

The first signs of life in West Virginia can be dated back at least 10,500 years. Archaeologists discovered spear points used to hunt mastodons and mammoths, which gave proof of human life. Thousands of years after these pre-ice age people, Native American tribes such as the Cherokee, Iroquois, Manahoac, Meherrin, Monacan, Nottaway, Shawnee, and Saponi populated the land. In the 1600s, British and other European travelers and explorers arrived in the area.[4] For over 100 years, the land that now encompasses Kentucky, North Carolina, Delaware, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New York was called Virginia.

The British-controlled government in Virginia offered free acres to European settlers who came to the area in 1730. Because of this, a large portion of the Native American land was taken by these settlers. As a result, the natives joined the French in the land war against the British; this war lasted from 1756 to 1763. When the British won, the land of West Virginia remained part of Virginia during the Revolutionary War from 1775 to 1783. During this time, the area that would become the state of West Virginia started to create its own boundaries.[9]

Refusing to withdraw from the Union with the rest of Virginia during the Civil War, the separation of the state began. In 1859, John Brown led the Harpers Ferry Raid in an effort to fight against slavery.[4] West Virginia separated from the rest of Virginia in 1861 and was going to change the land’s name to Kanawha, a name to honor the Native American tribes in the land; however, because they separated from Virginia, officials decided to keep its name as part of theirs. West Virginia was officially declared a state in 1863, making it the 35th state in the Union. Some famous individuals born in West Virginia include Pearl S. Buck (an author), Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson (a Confederate general), and Chuck Yeager (the first person to break the sound barrier while flying).[9]

Top Campgrounds in West Virginia, United States

Explore a property in West Virginia

#1

GuestHouse Lost River

Lost River, West Virginia
5 (284 Reviews)

#2

North Fork Mountain Inn

4.9 (285 Reviews)

#3

Millesons Walnut Grove Campground

Springfield, West Virginia
4.9 (39 Reviews)

#4

Just Plane Adventures

4.9 (27 Reviews)

Just Plane Adventures is an RV park and campground that is located in Medley, West Virginia. The business offers several different types of units, including RV sites, a few cabins, and multiple houses. All of the RV sites come with full hookups that provide electricity, water, and sewage. During the winter, all units close down except for 14 RV sites. The establishment is pet-friendly, allowing patrons to bring their dogs to the property, but only if guests are staying in RV spaces or one of the pet-friendly cabins. One unique aspect of the campground is that guests can rent one of the three airplane hangars and store their aircraft there. Mitch, one of the owners, is a certified pilot and has three airplanes of his own, which he uses to give people tours, train visitors on piloting aircraft, and help photographers take pictures from the sky.

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#5

Five River Campgrounds

Parsons, West Virginia
4.8 (215 Reviews)

#6

Route 60 RV

White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
4.8 (25 Reviews)

#7

Twin Hollow Campground & Cabins

4.7 (334 Reviews)

#8

Mountain Creek Cabins

Bruceton Mills, West Virginia
4.7 (216 Reviews)

#9

Pocahontas ATV Resort

Bramwell, West Virginia
4.7 (108 Reviews)

#10

New River Campground Inc.

Gauley Bridge, West Virginia
4.6 (91 Reviews)

#11

Krodel Park Campground

Point Pleasant, West Virginia
4.5 (328 Reviews)

#12

Rifrafters Campground

Fayetteville, West Virginia
4.5 (310 Reviews)

The Rifrafters Campground has been owned and operated by the Kreger family since 2017. Currently, the campground has twenty-six RV sites, eight cabins, and nine tent sites available for guest reservations. Wi-Fi, a picnic table, and a fire pit are all supplied for every RV, cabin, and tent site, and some reservable spots are shaded. One of the most unique aspects of the property is that the campground is home to two cats named Peaches and Avery. Throughout the area that encompasses the property, a wide range of outdoor recreation such as hiking, ziplining, and biking are all available for visitors to engage in. The New River Gorge National Park is one such outdoor attraction that offers several activities for tourists.

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#13

Broken Wheel Campground

4.5 (126 Reviews)

#14

Pegasus Farm Campground

4.5 (87 Reviews)

#15

Pine Hill Campground

Bruceton Mills, West Virginia
4.5 (35 Reviews)

#16

State Line Campground

Blacksville, West Virginia
4.5 (26 Reviews)

#17

Pipestem RV Park & Campground

Pipestem, West Virginia
4.4 (134 Reviews)

#18

Riverside Cabins & RV Park

4.4 (74 Reviews)

#19

Little Coal River Camp Ground

4.4 (63 Reviews)

#20

Mountain Lake Campground and Cabins

Summersville, West Virginia
4.2 (440 Reviews)

#21

Robert Newlon Airpark

Huntington, West Virginia
4.2 (73 Reviews)

#22

Shady Rest RV Park

Shady Spring, West Virginia
3.8 (26 Reviews)

#23

Statts Mills RV Park

3.5 (49 Reviews)

#24

Kudlak Inc. Campground

Moundsville, West Virginia
3.5 (39 Reviews)

#25

Bear Mountain

Fayetteville, West Virginia
4.1 (8 Reviews)

#26

Paradise Island of Christian

0 (0 Reviews)

#27

Lazy K's Campground

Elkview, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

Ted and Shirley Keiffer have been the camp hosts of Lazy K's Campground since 2008. A range of units is offered at the property as 31 RV sites, 10 primitive tent sites, and 3 cabins are available for reservation. The owner, Ted, emphasizes the outdoor recreational aspect of the campground's location as they suggest several attractions in close proximity to the establishment, such as Elk River, where visitors can go swimming, paddleboarding, canoeing, kayaking, or fishing; New River Gorge Bridge, a state park; and Summerville Dam, "when constructed, it was the second largest dirt dam in the world," as reported by Ted. Moreover, a few nearby trails can allow visitors to ride their ATVs, go horseback riding, or simply to walk.

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#28

Roseland Resort & Campground

Proctor, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#29

Echo Valley Campground LLC

Glen Dale, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#30

Big Bear Lake

Bruceton Mills, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#31

Berry's Campground & Tiger's

0 (0 Reviews)

#32

Lake Manor

Morgantown, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#33

Ashland Scenic Campground

Northfork, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#34

White Pines Manufactured Housing Community

Beckley, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#35

Hidden Hollow Park llc

Moundsville, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#36

RFAC LLC- Bell

Buckhannon, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#37

RFAC LLC- Snow

Buckhannon, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#38

Seneca Rocks RV Resort

Seneca Rocks, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#39

A-1 RV Campground

Wheeling, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#40

Abram’s Creek Retreat & Campground

Augusta, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#41

Arrowhead Bike Farm and Campground

Fayetteville, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#42

Berry's Campground

Beckley, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#43

Big Ridge Campground

Mathias, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#44

Bandywine Lake Campground

Franklin, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#45

Big Bend Campground

Franklin, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#46

Big Rock Campground

Slaty Fork, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#47

Bishop Knob Campground

Slaty Fork, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#48

Birnham Wood Mobile Home and RV Park

Washington, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#49

Cacaponhideaway Campground

Great Cacapon, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#50

Campground United Methodist Church

Kingwood, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#51

Campground Dr

0 (0 Reviews)

#52

Chestnut Creek Campground

Beckley, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#53

Cheat River Campground & Cbns

0 (0 Reviews)

#54

City Campground

Grafton, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#55

Champion Recreational Storage / Campground

Clarksburg, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#56

Castle Care Campground

Washington, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#57

Cooper's Campground

0 (0 Reviews)

#58

Corral Campgrounds

Washington, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#59

Day Run Campground

0 (0 Reviews)

#60

Country Squire Mobile Home & RV Park

Morgantown, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#61

Coyote Ridge RV Park

Clarksburg, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#62

Curtisville Lake and Campground

Clarksburg, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#63

Eagle's Nest Campground

Augusta, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#64

Eagle Rock Campground

0 (0 Reviews)

#65

Echo Valley Campground

Wheeling, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#66

Happy Hills Campground

Berkeley Springs, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#67

Grafton City Campground

Bridgeport, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#68

Glade Farms Campground

Bruceton Mills, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#69

Grafton City Campground

Grafton, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#70

Greenbrier River Campground

Greenbrier River, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#71

Hampton Summer Wind Overnight RV Park

Lewisburg, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#72

Gerald Freeman Campground

Slaty Fork, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#73

Gauley River Wild & Woolly Primitive Campground

Summersville, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#74

Harpers Ferry Campground

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#75

Harman Mountain Farm Campground

0 (0 Reviews)

#76

Hefners RV Park & Campground

0 (0 Reviews)

#77

Almost Heaven Auto Repair

Charleston, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#78

Cranesville Country Rentals

Bridgeport, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#79

Jess Judy Group Campground

0 (0 Reviews)

#80

Judy Springs Campground

0 (0 Reviews)

#81

Kanawha State Forest Campground

Charleston, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#82

Jordan's RV Park

Cheat Lake, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#83

Judy's Rentals

0 (0 Reviews)

#84

Sunset Mountain Farm

Berkeley Springs, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#85

Village At White Hall

Fairmont, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#86

Wapocoma Campground

0 (0 Reviews)

#87

Middle Ridge Campground

0 (0 Reviews)

#88

Lazy A Campground

Hedgesville, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#89

Tymber Creek Campground

Clarksburg, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#90

Triple L Campground

Bridgeport, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#91

Swishers hill Campground

Fairmont, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#92

Shavers Fork Campground

0 (0 Reviews)

#93

Lazy K's Campground and Canoe Livery

Charleston, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#94

Morgantown Campground

Morgantown, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#95

Teter's Campground

Cheat Lake, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#96

NPS Burnwood Campground

Fayetteville, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#97

New River Gorge Campground

Fayetteville, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#99

Wilderness RV Sites Campground

0 (0 Reviews)

#100

Miller's RV Campground

Wheeling, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#101

Maplewood RV Park

Lewisburg, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#102

Smokey Bottom Campground

Philippi, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#103

Pinnacle Creek ATV Campground

Princeton, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#104

Wagon Wheel ATV Resort and Campground

Princeton, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#105

Trademark Terrace Campground

0 (0 Reviews)

#106

Mohawk Campground

Summersville Lake, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#107

Travel Trailer Center RV Park

Washington, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#108

Leigh Mason Campgrounds

Washington, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#109

The PORT Campground & Docks

Washington, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#110

Marietta RV Park

Washington, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#111

Lakeview Campground

Washington, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#112

Riverfront Park RV Campground

Wheeling, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#113

Quiet Rest Campground

Wheeling, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#114

Trails End Campground

Wheeling, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#115

Rock Creek Camp & Resort

Charleston, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#116

Parchment Valley Conference Center

0 (0 Reviews)

#117

Elk RIver Camp and RV

Gassaway, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#118

Black Dog Ranch OffRoad Resort

Princeton, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#119

K & N Campground and Cabin Rental

Slaty Fork, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#120

Riverchase Campgrounds

Beckley, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#121

Big Earls Campground

Charleston, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#122

Lightner Campground

Cheat Lake, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#123

Dallas Pike Campground

Cheat Lake, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#124

Whisper Mountain RV Park

Clarksburg, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#125

Dad's Campground

Fayetteville, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#126

ASM campground llc

New Martinsville, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#127

The Dock Campground

New Martinsville, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#128

The Backwoods ATV Campground & General Store

Princeton, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#129

Blue Heron Landing RV Campground

0 (0 Reviews)

#130

Youngs Campground and RV Park

0 (0 Reviews)

#131

Alderwood Event Campground, LLC

0 (0 Reviews)

#132

Mohr's roadside rv park

0 (0 Reviews)

#133

All Seasons Rising Sun Campground

0 (0 Reviews)

#134

Cox Camping

Great Cacapon, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#135

SULLIVANS CAMP CACAPON

Great Cacapon, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#136

Nahkeeta Campsite LLC

Martinsburg, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#137

Little Beaver State Park

Beckley, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#138

Visit Southern West Virginia

Beckley, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#139

Family Fishing N' Camping

Grafton, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#140

Fairfax Stone Historical Monument State Park

0 (0 Reviews)

#141

Revelle's River Resort

0 (0 Reviews)

#142

Camping at the Grove

0 (0 Reviews)

#143

Coal Country Miniature Golf

Fairmont, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#144

Coal Heritage Camping

Princeton, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#145

Camp Twin Creeks

Marlinton, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#146

Lost River Campground

Lost City, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#147

Twin Springs ATV Resort & Campground

Princeton, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#148

Riverfront ATV Resort

Princeton, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#149

Appalachian RV Resort

Princeton, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#150

Robert W Craig Campground

Augusta, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#151

Beaver lakes Campground

Beckley, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#152

Sunny Glen Farms LLC RV Park

Clarksburg, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#153

River's Edge RV Park

Greenbrier River, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

#154

Cranberry Forest Farm Campground

Marlinton, West Virginia
0 (0 Reviews)

Top 10 Campgrounds in West Virginia, United States
#1

GuestHouse Lost River

Lost River, West Virginia
5 (284 Reviews)

#2

North Fork Mountain Inn

4.9 (285 Reviews)

#3

Millesons Walnut Grove Campground

Springfield, West Virginia
4.9 (39 Reviews)

#4

Just Plane Adventures

4.9 (27 Reviews)

Just Plane Adventures is an RV park and campground that is located in Medley, West Virginia. The business offers several different types of units, including RV sites, a few cabins, and multiple houses. All of the RV sites come with full hookups that provide electricity, water, and sewage. During the winter, all units close down except for 14 RV sites. The establishment is pet-friendly, allowing patrons to bring their dogs to the property, but only if guests are staying in RV spaces or one of the pet-friendly cabins. One unique aspect of the campground is that guests can rent one of the three airplane hangars and store their aircraft there. Mitch, one of the owners, is a certified pilot and has three airplanes of his own, which he uses to give people tours, train visitors on piloting aircraft, and help photographers take pictures from the sky.

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#5

Five River Campgrounds

Parsons, West Virginia
4.8 (215 Reviews)

#6

Route 60 RV

White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
4.8 (25 Reviews)

#7

Twin Hollow Campground & Cabins

4.7 (334 Reviews)

#8

Mountain Creek Cabins

Bruceton Mills, West Virginia
4.7 (216 Reviews)

#9

Pocahontas ATV Resort

Bramwell, West Virginia
4.7 (108 Reviews)

#10

New River Campground Inc.

Gauley Bridge, West Virginia
4.6 (91 Reviews)