Summertime is a great time for a road trip, and you'll enjoy one of the best day trips in West Virginia along this drive. Get ready for some of the most beautiful locations you've ever experienced, incredible scenic views, and so much more. Let's get going!

A road trip really is an American pastime. There are many reasons to take a road trip, but few are better than to see the sights waiting for you on this one.

This trip begins in the city of Elkins. It is approximately 25 miles east of Buckhannon and just 10 miles from the border of Monongahela National Forest.

You will want to find somewhere to stay...

...so let's begin your journey with a good night's sleep at the Graceland Inn.

This beautiful Victorian-style inn was built in 1893.

And it sits on the beautiful hillside of the Davis & Elkins College campus.

From the inn, head east on Route 33 towards Seneca Rocks.

Seneca Rocks is West Virginia's only true peak, and from there, you can see the rocky crags rising from the hillside (see why we say this is one of the best day trips in West Virginia?).

A hiking trail leads to the top of the mountain, where an incredible view of Pendleton County awaits you.

Hills stretch out in all directions to a seemingly infinite horizon.

But an even better view awaits you at Spruce Knob.

Spruce Knob is at an elevation of 4,862 feet, this is the highest location in the state. When you arrive, climb the observation tower to see what it's like to be on top of the world.

Then look out at the stunning view. If you wait until autumn to take the trip, you will find the most amazing color palette laid out before you.

Make sure you have packed a sandwich so you can say you had lunch on top of the world. Spruce Knob is accessible by a trail at the end of Route 104, where the road becomes a loop that connects back to the direction you came.

Your next stop will lie beneath the world, rather than on top of it.

First, be sure to pay a visit to the Smoke Hole Caverns. Not only does Smoke Hole have the largest gift shop in West Virginia, but a tour of the cave underground will astonish and amaze you. You can even go gemstone mining after the tour, so you have some gems to take home with you.

While you are in the area, be sure to stop by Seneca Caverns, too, if you are in the mood for another tour.

The Seneca Caverns guided tour is about one hour and takes you to depths of 165 feet below the surface of the earth. It is definitely one of the most fun things to do in West Virginia!

Once you are done with the caves, it's time to move on to your next destination - Fort Mill Ridge in Romney.

The Fort Mill Ridge historical area features battle trenches originally dug by Confederate troops between 1861 and 1862. These are considered the best preserved trenches from the Civil War in America.

Now it's time to cap off the day with a stay at Cacapon Resort State Park. This beautiful park has an inn and several cabins. At this point, you might just want some dinner and a good night's sleep. But this one-day trip can actually be made into two if you want to stay at the park the next day.

Since there is so much to do there at Cacapon Resort State Park, you might want to consider it! You'll find seven hiking trails, a lake with a beach, a golf course, and a shooting range. While there, you can go swimming, fishing, horseback riding, and geocaching.

Have you been to some or all of these locations? Which ones in this region would you recommend? Would you agree that this journey is one of the best day trips in West Virginia? What other day trips have you taken or wish to take? Feel free to comment below and join the discussion.

There are plenty of road trips to take in this beautiful state. Do you want to discover another one? Check out this awesome weekend road trip that is unforgettable.

If you’re still in the mood for more West Virginia adventures, take a look at this video about the abandoned town of Thurmond: