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There’s Fun Enough For A Whole Vacation At America’s Most Family Friendly Gorge, New River Gorge In West Virginia

West Virginia's New River Gorge National Park is ranked as a top family travel destination due to its variety of activities and relatively undiscovered status.

Published Jan 26, 2022

Written by 

Cristy

Did you hear that West Virginia has just earned yet another spot on a world travel list? Not only did we make it as a top world travel destination according to Lonely Planet, but now we're also one of the ten best places to visit with kids, according to Family Vacationist. And we couldn't agree more.

Numbering ahead of places like Orlando, Santa Monica, Boston, New Orleans, Denali, Boise, and San Juan (Puerto Rico), West Virginia slipped in third on the list, behind Playa Del Carmen (Mexico) and Aruba. Specifically, Family Vacationist is sending families with kids to the New River Gorge National Park.

Aerial view of a long bridge spanning a river, surrounded by lush green hills under a colorful sunset.
EntropyWorkshop / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images

What makes this area such a great destination for travelers? Well, according to Family Vacationist...

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... it's still an under-the-radar National Park. Since the New River Gorge hasn't been a national park for long, it's still relatively quiet and undiscovered, at least by comparison in the National Park System.

A scenic view from a wooden deck overlooking lush green mountains and a winding river under a partly cloudy sky.
Dee / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images

... there are a wide variety of activity options for all ages and interests, from fishing to bird and salamander watching to whitewater rafting to ziplining to bridge walking.

A child in yellow boots fishes by a river under a large bridge, surrounded by trees and a blue sky.
Harrison Shull / Getty Images

... there are several family-friendly accommodation options, including Tru by Hilton in nearby Beckley and the Adventures On The Gorge Resort right on the rim of the New River Gorge.

Aerial view of a snowy landscape with a river and rustic buildings nestled among trees on a mountain.
Adventures On The Gorge / Facebook

We'll add to that list a few family-friendly attractions of our own, including the New River Gorge National Park Visitors Centers, many of which include interesting mini-museums and beautiful overlooks.

Two people sit in rocking chairs, gazing out a large window at a scenic view of mountains and autumn foliage.
NPS

We'll add the many hiking trails that crisscross the New River Gorge's steep slopes, including to the ghost town of Nuttallburg.

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A rusted metal bridge stretches over lush green trees in a forested area.
Tim Pennington / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images

We'll add that all the trails in the New River Gorge National Park are pet-friendly.

A person and a dog sit on a rocky ledge overlooking a lush green valley and winding river below.
Harrison Shull / Getty Images

We'll add an incredibly scenic mountain waterfall or two into the mix, including Sandstone and Dunlop Falls.

A serene landscape featuring a waterfall cascading over rocks, surrounded by lush greenery and rolling hills.
John_Brueske / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images

We'll add an old, almost abandoned coal town named Thurmond.

A quiet railway scene featuring tracks, a signal bridge, and an old brick building surrounded by greenery.
SawyerImages / iStock / Getty Images Plus Collection via Getty Images

Here's our ultimate guide to the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve that you'll want to check out if you decide to visit. And here's the New River Gorge National Park website. Have you explored the New River Gorge with your family before? What other family-friendly attractions would you add to this list?

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Trip Ideas|Unique Trips

This Scenic 55-Mile Drive Just May Be The Most Underrated Adventure In West Virginia

Updated Jun 25, 2024

Written by 

Cristy

Webster County, West Virginia is home to the scenic Mountain Parkway Byway and Backway. This underrated West Virginia scenic drive takes travelers through the mountains, valleys, and small towns of Webster County, offering stunning views of the landscape and a fascinating glimpse into mountain life, both past and present. The byway is also home to a number of different attractions, including Holly River State Park. If you love scenic drives in West Virginia, the Mountain Parkway Byway and Backway should definitely be on your list!

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What is the Mountain Parkway Byway and Backway? The Mountain Parkway Byway and Backway is an underrated, 45-mile scenic loop through Northern Webster County, West Virginia, with several additional "spurs" that either shorten or lengthen the adventure along this scenic route.

Sign for "Backway Mountain Parkway" surrounded by lush green trees in a forested area.
Brian Powell/Flickr

The byway starts and ends in either Webster Springs, which is the county seat, (traveling north), or at the Randolph County line (traveling south). It winds its way through the scenic mountains and valleys of the region.

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Webster County Tourism

The byway (the easier drive) mostly follows WV Route 20, while the backway (a more difficult route) forms the drive's loop along County Road 3.

A winding road surrounded by lush green trees under a bright sky.
Doug Kerr/Flickr

As you cruise this scenic route, you'll see along the way many hidden historical sites and attractions, including but definitely not limited to Hacker Valley, McCray Rocks, Mount Zion Church, and Mollohan Mill.

A brick house in Hacker Valley, with a historical marker and a welcome sign in front, surrounded by trees.
jamiev_03/Flickr

The Mountain Parkway Byway and Backway is a great way to explore the beauty of Webster County and get a taste of West Virginia's history.

Historic stone building with a clock tower, American flag, and green lawn under a blue sky with clouds.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr

This WV byway offers drivers stunning views of the rolling green hills of West Virginia, as well as connecting several area attractions, including overlooks, historical sites, parks, and trails that offer drivers the chance to explore the area.

A scenic landscape featuring rolling hills, green fields, and a blue sky with fluffy clouds.
Apartment Showcase/Flickr

For the best experience on the Mountain Parkway, plan ahead, take your time, and expect to make multiple stops to explore the attractions found along the way.

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With its beautiful views and historic attractions, this underrated scenic drive through Webster County, West Virginia is not one to miss!

A serene stream flows through a lush green forest, with rocks scattered along the water's edge.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr

And you might discover an unexpected surprise or two along the way.

A serene waterfall cascading over rocks, surrounded by lush green trees in a tranquil forest setting.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr

Along the Mountain Parkway route, you will encounter many scenic and historic attractions, including the enchanting Holly River State Park and the uniquely historic Mollohan Mill. What are your other favorite pretty drives? Please let us know in the comments section! We would love to hear your recommendations. While preparing for your road trip, be sure to take a look at The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List by OnlyInYourState so you will have everything you need! Get ready for a fun and one-of-a-kind vacation.

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The Scenic Train Ride In West Virginia That Runs Year-Round

Amtrak's Cardinal train offers a scenic year-round journey through West Virginia, showcasing the state's beauty across all seasons.

Updated Apr 29, 2024

Written by 

Cristy

Our state is a train lover's paradise. We've got scenic train rides in West Virginia galore, from the Greenbrier and Durbin trains to the Potomac Eagle to the Ridge Runner and more. And while several of these trains operate almost all year round, they seem to shut down for at least a few months in late winter. All, that is, except for the Amtrak Cardinal Amtrak, the only truly year-round Amtrak train in West Virginia.

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Amtrak's Cardinal train runs all the way from Chicago to New York City three days per week.

Map showing train stations along a route from Delaware to Virginia, with marked locations and a sidebar menu.
Amtrak

The West Virginia portion of the route is considered one of the most scenic areas along the entire 26.5-hour trip.

A view of a railway track curving through greenery, with signal lights and a building in the background under a cloudy sky.
Steve5863 / Tripadvisor

You will definitely need to fit in some sleep, so we recommend packing this tiny, portable white noise machine to make getting some z's much easier.

The train's first stop in West Virginia from the east is White Sulphur Springs, with additional stops at historic depots in Alderson, Hinton, Prince, Thurmond, Montgomery, Charleston, and Huntington before exiting West Virginia bound toward Chicago.

A train approaches the White Sulphur Springs station, surrounded by greenery and a quaint building in the background.
Amtrak / Facebook

If you're at all familiar with West Virginia's geography, you've already realized that this train ride passes right through the New River Gorge National Park. It goes through West Virginia's capital city. It follows the curves of the Ohio River over the Big Sandy into Kentucky.

Amtrak train traveling along a scenic route with lush greenery and a bridge in the background.
Amtrak / Facebook

What a way to explore the Mountain State!

An Amtrak train approaches the Orange station, with a blue sky and clouds in the background.
Wikipedia/Coyote Reyne

It's a trip worth taking more than once, as each season brings its own take on the beauty and grandeur of the age-old Appalachian Mountains.

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A scenic view of a river surrounded by lush green hills, with a large bridge arching over the landscape under a blue sky.
Amtrak / Facebook

A winter trip highlights the rugged spine of these mountains, quiet and slumbering. A spring or summer trip sees them awake and full of life and vigor. A fall trip finds them robed in a splendor of vibrant hues.

A panoramic view of a snowy landscape featuring a bridge over a river, surrounded by steep, snow-covered hills.
AdamIsovitsch / iStock Collection via Getty Images Plus

To learn more about this scenic train ride in West Virginia, check prices, and scheduling, and book a trip, visit the Amtrak Cardinal Train website. Have you ever ridden the Amtrak train in West Virginia? What time of year did you make the trip?

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