Celebrate National Park Week in Almost Heaven
Leave the screens behind and celebrate National Park Week in West Virginia! Set aside some extra time from April 19 – 27, 2025 to slow down and appreciate the jaw-dropping natural beauty all around us. Itching for more of a fast-paced adventure? No worries, we have that too!
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
West Virginia is home to one of America’s newest national parks, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Spanning more than 70,000 acres, this park is overflowing with stunning views, unique lodging options and one-of-a-kind outdoor recreation opportunities. Famously known for its award-winning whitewater rafting, the New River Gorge boasts both heart-pounding Class IV rapids and family-friendly floats. Other adventure options include hiking, mountain biking, fishing, kayaking, rock climbing, chasing waterfalls, zip lining, horseback riding, and more.
Don’t miss strolling along the structural beams of the New River Gorge Bridge – 851 feet above the New River with a Bridge Walk tour. A unique belay system keeps you harnessed at all times while your guide educates you on the history of the New River Gorge. Enjoy this West Virginia-exclusive adventure. Stay overnight at one of the area’s adventure resorts for easier access to guided activities. Discover cozy cabins for two or vacation homes large enough for the entire family and all your friends at ACE Adventure Resort and Adventures on the Gorge. Come back in the fall for gorgeous fall foliage and West Virginia’s largest single-day festival – Bridge Day!
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Situated at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park showcases some of the best views the Mountain State has to offer. best views the Mountain State has to offer. Explore the streets of this town while making your way through some key moments of early American history. Experience exquisite dining, locally owned shops, extraordinary museums, scenic hiking trails and the list goes on.
Visit the John Brown Wax Museum for a walk through John Brown’s life and learn more about his raid on Harpers Ferry in a building that was present at that very time. Take in the natural beauty of West Virginia by visiting “The Point” where you can gaze upon the two rivers and three states below. Another jaw-dropping vista view can be seen from the steps of the historic St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church atop Harpers Ferry. Take a guided rafting trip or go zip lining at River Riders Family Adventure Resort. Return this summer to experience the only bungee jumping venue on the Eastern Seaboard. Thrill-seekers can experience a state-of-the-art cantilevered jump tower that offers breathtaking views of a historic Civil War battlefield, with The Great Bungee Company.
More National Areas
Bluestone National Scenic River
Flowing into West Virginia via Virginia, the lower 10.5-mile section of the Bluestone has been designated a National River, as well as a Wild & Scenic River by the National Parks Service. This free-flowing wonder is a sight to behold, carving through the Appalachian Mountains through southern West Virginia. The Bluestone National Scenic River and its surrounding gorge are diverse in both wildlife and adventure opportunities. This remote gorge has limited road access and is best accessed through nearby Bluestone and Pipestem Resort State Parks.
Gauley River National Recreation Area
Located in the southern part of West Virginia, the Gauley River National Recreation Area includes 25 miles of the mighty Gauley River and five miles of the Meadow River. Known for its scenic gorges, valleys and most importantly, its class V+ rapids, the Gauley River is one of the premier whitewater runs in the world. Also, an incredible place for anglers to catch trout, smallmouth bass, walleye and muskellunge, this national recreation area is the perfect place to connect with nature.
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Stretching from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mount Katahdin, Maine, the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail passes through 14 states, rewarding hikers with astounding scenery over miles and miles of rugged terrain. Since the completion of this National Scenic Trail in 1937, more than 20,000 people have hiked the full length of the trail. This “thru-hiking” is a daunting task that takes an average of 4 to 6 months to complete.
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal
Originally used as transport between Georgetown, Washington D.C. and Cumberland, Maryland, the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal can be accessed in two of the most charming West Virginia towns: Harpers Ferry and Shepherdstown. Along its 184.5-mile stretch, visitors can explore the canal via several connecting bridges and a towpath suitable for biking and hiking.
Share your national park photos using #AlmostHeaven
This post was last updated on April 14, 2025