If you spend most of your time in the city where you live, you haven’t really seen West Virginia – even if you have a mountain view from your back door. No, to really see West Virginia, you need to get out, away from the cities and roads, and immerse yourself in its ecology without the distraction of asphalt and concrete. And here are some of the most beautiful places to do that.
- Spruce Knob Summit
WikiMedia/www.ForestWander.com Spruce Knob is a must for scenic viewing in West Virginia. At 4,861 feet, not only is it the highest point in West Virginia, it is also the highest point in the Appalachian Plateaus and the Allegheny Mountains.
- Dolly Sods Wilderness, Monongahela National Forest
WikiMedia/www.ForestWander.com Dolly Sods has the most unusual ecology in all of West Virginia, including several ecological features commonly found in Canada. Nestled deep in Monongahela National Forest, the terrain of Dolly Sods is both varied and foreign. Upon the highest plateaus, reaching to elevations of 4,700 feet, huge boulders native to Canada dominate the landscape, a result of glacial forces from the Pleistocene Epoch, in which massive ice sheets also deposited both Canadian flora and fauna into the region. It is from these plateaus that you can see for miles in all directions.
- Lindy Point, Blackwater Falls State Park
WikiMedia/daveynin The waterfalls are not the only thing to see at Blackwater Falls State Park. Although you definitely don’t want to miss the park’s 62-foot cascade fall, you’ll want to miss Lindy Point even less. Located along the western edge of the park, a short hike will lead you to the gorgeous overlook that rises 3,000 feet above Blackwater Canyon. From there, you can see the mountains flanking the canyon trail off into the distance.
- Blackwater Falls State Park
Flickr/dpbirds Although Lindy Point receives special mention on this list, practically all of Blackwater Falls is beautiful, especially in the fall. If you plan a trip to this area, plan to spend at least one full day in this park. Trust me, you will not have a shortage of things to see and do.
- Seneca Rocks
WikiMedia/Aneta Kaluzna The Appalachian Mountains are known for the lush woods that carpet its peaks for miles in all directions, but it is in this respect that Seneca Rocks is unique. Its peak is comprised of rocky crags that rise above the woods like jagged teeth. It is also one of the few destinations that offer an impressive view from both above and below. A 3.4 mile trail through dense woods leads to its 900 foot peak. From there, hikers can see the hilly landscape of Pendleton County laid out before them.
- Seneca Caverns
WikiMedia/www.ForestWander.com Not all of the best views in West Virginia are necessarily above ground. While not nearly as vast as the other locations on this list, Seneca Caverns is still a sight to see. Located just a few miles from Seneca Rocks, this cavern was once a refuge and ceremonial chamber for the Seneca Indians in the 17th and 18th centuries. The cave itself, a limestone structure formed more than 450 million years ago, is 500 feet long with several amazing features, including stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone formations and an underground spring. Just remember to bring a jacket as the cave itself has a consistent temperature of about 55 degrees, regardless of the weather outside.
- Main Overlook, Grandview State Park
TripAdvisor/oakdalemom Located along the New River Gorge in Beckley, WV, Grandview offers a number of hiking trails and picnic spots, but its most prominent feature is Main Overlook, providing visitors with a panoramic view of the New River winding its way through the valley 1,400 feet below.
There is never any shortage of wild beauty in the mountain state, as long as you know where to look. What other places do you think should be on the list? Please leave a comment below and let us know.
WikiMedia/www.ForestWander.com
Spruce Knob is a must for scenic viewing in West Virginia. At 4,861 feet, not only is it the highest point in West Virginia, it is also the highest point in the Appalachian Plateaus and the Allegheny Mountains.
Dolly Sods has the most unusual ecology in all of West Virginia, including several ecological features commonly found in Canada. Nestled deep in Monongahela National Forest, the terrain of Dolly Sods is both varied and foreign. Upon the highest plateaus, reaching to elevations of 4,700 feet, huge boulders native to Canada dominate the landscape, a result of glacial forces from the Pleistocene Epoch, in which massive ice sheets also deposited both Canadian flora and fauna into the region. It is from these plateaus that you can see for miles in all directions.
WikiMedia/daveynin
The waterfalls are not the only thing to see at Blackwater Falls State Park. Although you definitely don’t want to miss the park’s 62-foot cascade fall, you’ll want to miss Lindy Point even less. Located along the western edge of the park, a short hike will lead you to the gorgeous overlook that rises 3,000 feet above Blackwater Canyon. From there, you can see the mountains flanking the canyon trail off into the distance.
Flickr/dpbirds
Although Lindy Point receives special mention on this list, practically all of Blackwater Falls is beautiful, especially in the fall. If you plan a trip to this area, plan to spend at least one full day in this park. Trust me, you will not have a shortage of things to see and do.
WikiMedia/Aneta Kaluzna
The Appalachian Mountains are known for the lush woods that carpet its peaks for miles in all directions, but it is in this respect that Seneca Rocks is unique. Its peak is comprised of rocky crags that rise above the woods like jagged teeth. It is also one of the few destinations that offer an impressive view from both above and below. A 3.4 mile trail through dense woods leads to its 900 foot peak. From there, hikers can see the hilly landscape of Pendleton County laid out before them.
Not all of the best views in West Virginia are necessarily above ground. While not nearly as vast as the other locations on this list, Seneca Caverns is still a sight to see. Located just a few miles from Seneca Rocks, this cavern was once a refuge and ceremonial chamber for the Seneca Indians in the 17th and 18th centuries. The cave itself, a limestone structure formed more than 450 million years ago, is 500 feet long with several amazing features, including stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone formations and an underground spring. Just remember to bring a jacket as the cave itself has a consistent temperature of about 55 degrees, regardless of the weather outside.
TripAdvisor/oakdalemom
Located along the New River Gorge in Beckley, WV, Grandview offers a number of hiking trails and picnic spots, but its most prominent feature is Main Overlook, providing visitors with a panoramic view of the New River winding its way through the valley 1,400 feet below.
To learn more about West Virginia, check out these 10 spots in WV where nature will relax you.
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