WestEXPLORE THE POTOMAC Virginia HIGHLANDS EXPLORE COUNTRY ROADS Get off the beaten path + SCENIC MOUNTAIN VISTAS Views that go on forever + OUTDOOR LOVERS PARADISE Endless recreation all year long WVtourism.com #AlmostHeaven ® VISITHARDYWV.COM Our rivers, runs & lakes are waiting for you EXPERIENCE THE HARDY EFFECT Follow us on B WEST VIRGINIA PUBLISHED BY New South Media, Inc. 709 Beechurst Avenue, Suite 14A Morgantown, WV 26505 304.413.0104 • newsouthmedia.com PUBLISHER & EDITOR Nikki Bowman Mills, [email protected] PROJECT MANAGER Buddy Butler, [email protected] ART DIRECTOR Nikki Butler, [email protected] EDITORIAL TEAM Pam Kasey, [email protected] Nikki Bowman Mills, [email protected] Buddy Butler, [email protected] PHOTOS PROVIDED BY Chris Weisler, Brian Sarfino, Nikki Bowman, Carla Witt Ford, Snowshoe, Green Bank, WV Tourism Office, Hampshire County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Hardy County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Grant County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Tucker County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Elkins-Randolph County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Pendleton County Convention & Visitors Bureau, and Pocahontas County Convention & Visitors Bureau EXPLORE WEST VIRGINIA’S POTOMAC HIGHLANDS IS A PRODUCT OF EXPLORE West Virginia’s Potomac Highlands is published by New South Media, Inc. Copyright: New South Media, Inc. Reproduction in part or whole is strictly prohibited without the express written West Virginia’s Potomac Highlands permission of the publisher. © NEW SOUTH MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVE features Explore West Virginia’s Potomac Highlands is sponsored by the Hampshire 2 West Virginia Map 30 Get Tucker’d Explore country roads. Feels like worlds away, but easy to get to. County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Hardy County Convention & Visitors 4 Mountains of Adventure 36 Outdoor Adventure Paradise Bureau, Grant County Convention & Stunning views and outdoor Largest county in West Virginia. Visitors Bureau, Tucker County Convention recreation await you. & Visitors Bureau, Elkins-Randolph 42 Wet a Line County Convention & Visitors Bureau, 8 A Two-Lane Paradise Beautiful rivers, amazing trails and Pendleton County Convention & Visitors Gateway to the Potomac Highlands. awe-inspiring views. Bureau, Pocahontas County Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the West Virginia 16 The Hardy Effect 48 Nature’s Mountain Playground Tourism Office Best of yesteryear with modern Adventure to high elevations. conveniences. 54 Winter Activities on the cover 22 Endless Outdoor Beauty Can’t miss winter destinations. Elakala Falls in Majestic mountain landscape. Blackwater Falls State Park. Photo courtesy of WV Tourism Office. LEAD TO AMAZING COUNTRY Tomlinson Run WEST VIRGINIA Weirton ROADS ADVENTURES 22 The Mountain State is easily Take Interstate 70 and U.S. Route 2 through the Wheeling Northern Panhandle region to explore historic accessible by six major 40 Wheeling and Ohio River towns. Well known for 470 70 interstates: I-64, I-79, I-77, its steel and glass industry history, the region is I-70, I-68, and I-81. The state’s now rich in entertainment and the arts. only toll road is a southern portion of I-77. Welcome 79 Centers are located along 250 Morgantown 68 these points of entry. Coopers Rock 7 Berkeley Springs 119 9 Martinsburg 28 522 Fairmont Prickett’s 26 Cacapon Fort Keyser Aurora Harpers Ferry State Park with Lodge Parkersburg Clarksburg Valley 50 50 Falls 81 50 Cathedral 340 Blennerhassett Tygart Lake State Park Island Philippi 220 Watters Smith Oglebay Park Resort North Bend Fairfax Stone Town/City Memorial Parsons 77 47 20 Blackwater Falls 5 33 Buckhannon State Forest Canaan Valley Resort Stonewall Audra Resort Elkins 33 28 Lost River State Natural Area Point Ripley Spencer Burnsville Pleasant Seneca Rocks 220 33 Cedar Creek Tu-Endie-Wei Flatwoods 119 Holly 79 River 2 Kumbrabow 250 Huntington 64 Snowshoe 60 Interstate 64 takes you from Charleston Huntington to Charleston to 19 Cass Scenic Summersville 219 Railroad Lewisburg for urban culture Kanawha and small-town charm, from Beech Fork Carnifex Ferry 39 55 Seneca Battlefield the rural Appalachian history of 10 119 Marlinton Forks of Coal Heritage Farms in Huntington Watoga State Natural Area Droop Mountain to the opulent luxury of The Hawks Nest Fayetteville Battlefield Calvin Greenbrier Resort in White Price and everything Sulphur Springs Babcock Beartown in between. Cabwaylingo 60 219 Beckley Chief Logan 64 Lewisburg Twin Falls Williamson Resort 16 Little Beaver Greenbrier 52 Mullens 77 Bluestone 219 Moncove Lake Camp Creek Pipestem Princeton Resort 52 Pinnacle Rock Bluefield The Greenbrier Resort Tamarack 2 WEST VIRGINIA The I-79 corridor snakes through Morgantown and the Mountain Lakes region, ending at the state capital Tomlinson Run of Charleston. Known as the Weirton High-Tech Corridor, this part of the state is rich in higher 22 education, health care, and more than 300 technology companies. You will also Harpers Ferry National Historical Park discover endless outdoor Wheeling recreation opportunities, wonderful dining venues, and 40 470 70 comfortable small towns. Travel West Virginia University 79 Responsibly 250 Morgantown 68 Coopers Rock West Virginia’s country 7 Berkeley Springs 119 9 Martinsburg roads are made for 28 522 Fairmont Prickett’s 26 Cacapon exploration, and our Fort Keyser Aurora Harpers Ferry mountains provide a wealth Parkersburg Clarksburg Valley 50 50 Falls 81 of socially-distant getaways 50 Cathedral 340 Blennerhassett Tygart Lake for you and your loved Island Philippi 220 ones as you gear up to hit Watters Smith North Bend Fairfax Stone Memorial Parsons the road. 77 47 20 Blackwater Falls Interstate 81 and 5 33 Buckhannon the scenic Route 55 Canaan Valley Resort Stonewall Audra connect the Eastern Throughout your time Resort Elkins 33 28 Lost River Panhandle to the in West Virginia, please Point Ripley Spencer Burnsville Potomac Highlands region of the state. Highlighted Pleasant Seneca Rocks 220 travel responsibly. Stay 33 Cedar Creek by the Harpers Ferry Historical National Park, the Tu-Endie-Wei panhandle abounds with history and culture. Iconic up-to-date on state health Flatwoods Seneca Rocks is just one of the endless outdoor guidelines. Wear a mask, 119 recreation opportunities in the Potomac Highlands. Holly if required. And maintain 79 River 2 Kumbrabow proper social distance to 250 Huntington keep you and your fellow 64 Snowshoe 60 travelers safe. Charleston 19 219 Cass Scenic Famous for the New River Gorge Summersville Railroad and world-class whitewater The health and safety of Kanawha Beech Fork Carnifex Ferry 39 55 Seneca rafting, U.S Route 19 in southern Battlefield our residents and visitors 10 119 Marlinton West Virginia leads to adventure. Forks of Coal is our top priority. As you Watoga Whether you’re an outdoor thrills State Natural Area Droop Mountain Hawks Nest enthusiast or looking for stops plan your trip, explore Fayetteville Battlefield Calvin Price at some of West Virginia’s scenic socially-distant vacation state parks, it is worthwhile to get Babcock Beartown ideas and the latest off the interstate and experience Cabwaylingo 60 219 the treasures of Route 19. statewide guidelines at Beckley Chief Logan 64 www.coronavirus.wv.gov Lewisburg Twin Falls or call the WV DHHR at Williamson Resort 16 Little Beaver Greenbrier 1-800-887-4304. 52 Mullens 77 219 Bluestone Moncove Lake Don’t forget to post Camp Creek Pipestem pictures from your Princeton Resort New River Gorge Bridge 52 responsible road trip with Pinnacle Rock From the Ohio River to the Virginia border, Interstate 77 travels #AlmostHeaven. Bluefield through some of West Virginia’s greatest cities and attractions. You’ll discover some of the state’s most vibrant arts and cultural Safe travels! destinations between Parkersburg and Bluefield, including Blennerhassett Historical State Park, Tamarack, and more. We hope to see you soon. Mountains of Adventure 4 WEST VIRGINIA Encompassing the Allegheny Mountains and the Monongahela National Forest in eastern West Virginia, the Potomac Highlands region is nature’s playground. Steep, forested hills and clear mountain streams provide ample opportunity for hiking, biking, and fishing. Winding roads and scenic railways offer enticing trips to view brilliant fall colors, while winter’s snows bring out the skis and snow boots. Charming mountain towns house art galleries, coffee shops, breweries, and restaurants, and venues along the Mountain Music Trail showcase the music and dance of Appalachia. Whether you’re looking for excitement or relaxation, it’s the perfect vacation getaway! There’s no better way to explore West Virginia’s Potomac Highlands than by driving along the “Mountain Skyway,” U.S. Route 48, through Grant, Hampshire, and Hardy counties. Be sure to stop by Lost River State Park for beautiful views. Just minutes from this scenic route, you can check into The Guesthouse at Lost River. This 18-room resort makes for a peaceful getaway, especially for folks coming from the Washington, D.C., or Baltimore area, just a short two-hour drive away. Once you’ve settled in, indulge in the on-site fine dining restaurant and lounge in the evening. Uncover West Virginia’s rich Civil War history on your way to Romney, where you’ll board the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad at Wappocomo Station. As you wind along the South Branch of the Potomac River, you’ll enter a visually striking gorge known as the Trough, where you’re more than likely to spot an American bald eagle along the way. End your day at a true old-fashioned resort at Capon Springs & Farms, where there’s beauty for miles. Lindy Point Overlook, Blackwater Falls State Park If you’re taking a trip in the winter months, you’ll find plenty of skiing and other snow sports at Canaan Valley as well as hiking and biking and other amenities. Just an hour’s drive east on U.S. Route 48, Blackwater Falls State Park is home to the longest sled run on the East Coast. Visit Snowshoe Mountain Resort, and experience all the fun winter can bring.