It’s time to celebrate fall in Almost Heaven, West Virginia, and we are excited to share our 2024 Bucket List! From exhilarating adventures in the great outdoors to relaxing stays at some of the most unique places there are, this bucket list perfectly tells the story of West Virginia in autumn: adventure, relaxation & views.
This fall is the perfect time to get outside, make memories and explore what the Mountain State has to offer on our 2024 Almost Heaven Fall Bucket List.
Leaf Peeping
Coopers Rock State Forest
Bruceton Mills, WV
Just about a 15-minute drive away from Morgantown, Coopers Rock State Forest is a leaf peeper’s dream. Mountaineer Country shines even brighter when the entire forest is painted with endless shades of yellows, oranges and reds. Hike to your heart’s content, as there are 50 miles of trails throughout the region. Stick around a while and pitch a tent at one of two scenic campgrounds.
Explorer tip: Take your #AlmostHeaven selfie on the Almost Heaven Swing, which is perched along the stone walkway leading up to the overlook.
Explorer tip: Take your #AlmostHeaven selfie on the Almost Heaven Swing, which is perched along the stone walkway leading up to the overlook.
Babcock State Park
Clifftop, West Virginia
Visit Southern West Virginia this fall and explore the beautiful Babcock State Park, which makes you feel like you’re stepping inside a postcard. The park’s Glade Creek Grist Mill, while a replica of the original, is fully operational and produces cornmeal. Its renowned beauty serves as the perfect backdrop for a fall family photo. This also puts you within a 20-minute drive from the stunning New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
ACE Ziplining
Oak Hill, West Virginia
Want to soar through the skies with a few falling leaves in your path? ACE Adventure Resort offers scenic ziplining tours with gorge-ous views. Whether you want to go for the short and sweet 2-hour night tour, the 3 to 4-hour Gorgeside tour or the half-day package, you’ll enjoy blazing past the fall trees.
Here, you will see many stunning views of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve that you don’t typically see from the main overlooks and trails.
Here, you will see many stunning views of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve that you don’t typically see from the main overlooks and trails.
Fall Stays
Tygart Hotel
Elkins, West Virginia
Tygart Hotel is where history meets luxury in the heart of Elkins. This beautifully restored hotel boasts 56 uniquely designed guest rooms, offering an array of sleeping accommodations from the plush comfort of king and queen rooms. While you stay here, stroll the lively downtown district, where shopping, dining and entertainment are plentiful.
Four Fillies
Peterstown, West Virginia
Four Fillies is the perfect place to enjoy a one-of-a-kind getaway in West Virginia. Lodging options are spread across 81 acres and include rustic cabins, glass cabins, a safari lodge, a safari treehouse, gypsy wagons, glamping pods and much more. Modern conveniences include Wi-Fi, AC/heat, outdoor fire pits, grills and picnic tables, private hot tubs, kitchenettes and so much more.
Appalachian Outpost
Lyburn, West Virginia
Appalachian Outpost offers a choice of 25 cabins located in the small town of Lyburn. Surrounded by majestic mountains and overlooking the Guyandotte River, this is ideal territory to ride, relax and enjoy the fall weather. Lyburn is even located is conveniently located within a quarter-of-a-mile from the Hatfield-McCoy Trail’s Rockhouse Trail System if you’re adventuring off-road.
Natural Wonders
Natural Springs
Berkeley Springs, West Virginia
Berkeley Springs State Park has several historic, natural features worth exploring. This park offers an outdoor pool for warmer weather, a public tap for free spring water, open spring pools for cooling off, a historic Roman Bath House and a mineral spa. George Washington was a regular visitor and even purchased property here; you can take a dip in his recreated bathtub!
Berkeley Springs earned national recognition from major travel publications, including Southern Living for being one of the best natural hot springs in the south.
Berkeley Springs earned national recognition from major travel publications, including Southern Living for being one of the best natural hot springs in the south.
Smoke Hole Caverns
Cabins, West Virginia
A walk through Smoke Hole Caverns in Grant County is an extraordinary experience if you love exploring underground. These formations are the result of millions of years of intricate processes and trillions of drops of mineral-laden water. Imagine traversing a completely different world without having to leave your backyard!
Blackwater Falls
Tucker County, West Virginia
Blackwater Falls is a natural charmer when the autumn hues settle into the trees. This 57-foot waterfall is one of the tallest in the state and is on the West Virginia Waterfall Trail. Make the short trip on the Gentle Trail of Blackwater Falls State Park to the ADA-accessible lookout platform. You get a stunning view of the distinct amber-colored waters, which is stained from fallen hemlock needles.
Wanderer Tip: Before heading to the falls, get your #AlmostHeaven Swing photo at the Almost Heaven Swing, which is perched near the walkway.
Wanderer Tip: Before heading to the falls, get your #AlmostHeaven Swing photo at the Almost Heaven Swing, which is perched near the walkway.
Trail Adventures
Meeks Mountain Biking
Hurricane, West Virginia
Meeks Mountain Trails in Putnam County is calling all avid mountain bikers, hikers and runners to explore their scenic trails. Explore a trail system that appeals to adventurers of all experience levels, from beginner to advanced. Here, trails are abundant, so you are never short on routes to take. The trailhead is located at Hurricane City Park behind the C&O Railroad Depot.
Hatfield-McCoy Trails
Mercer County, West Virginia
What better way to experience the thrills of fall than strapping on your helmet and taking a joy ride through nature’s amusement park? You’ll love going off the beaten path on the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System. Take the Pocahontas Trail in Mercer County to explore the town of Bramwell, an ATV-friendly town that’s known for its numerous millionaire homes from the early 20th century.
Greenbrier River Trail
Greenbrier County, West Virginia
How does 78 miles of exploration sound? The Greenbrier River Trail is a former railroad now used for hiking, biking and horseback riding. This is the longest trail of its kind in West Virginia – boasting many breathtaking views as it passes through several small towns, crosses 35 bridges, goes through two tunnels and slices through some of Almost Heaven’s most remote areas, including the fan-favorite Greenbrier County area.
Educational Entertainment
Eastern Panhandle
The Eastern Panhandle is full of much of America’s history. Explore Harpers Ferry, where Thomas Jefferson once wrote that the view from Harpers Ferry was “one of the most stupendous scenes in nature.” Also, learn the incredible story of John Brown and his raid on Harpers Ferry at John Brown’s Fort.
You can also head to nearby Shepherdstown to uncover even more history. Be sure to book a tour on the spectacular Shepherdstown Mysteries Walk if you’re into spooky history.
You can also head to nearby Shepherdstown to uncover even more history. Be sure to book a tour on the spectacular Shepherdstown Mysteries Walk if you’re into spooky history.
Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine
Beckley, West Virginia
Southern West Virginia tells the story of West Virginia’s heritage. Learn about the state’s footprint in the coal mining industry at Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine. Here you will take a trip through what once was an operating coal mine. Let Veteran Miners guide you through the past and into the future of mining in West Virginia.
Guests ride through the mine in a ‘man car’ that holds 35 people. Tours last about 35 minutes and can be chilly, so be sure to wear a jacket!
Guests ride through the mine in a ‘man car’ that holds 35 people. Tours last about 35 minutes and can be chilly, so be sure to wear a jacket!
The Clay Center
Charleston, West Virginia
Looking for somewhere fun and educational? The Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences is a 240,000-square-foot structure that houses performing arts, visual arts and sciences under one roof. This Charleston facility is home to the Clay Center’s Avampato Discovery Museum, the Juliet Art Museum and the Maier Foundation Performance Hall, home of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Catch a flight into town with convenient direct access via the West Virginia International Yeager Airport.
Fall in Love with #AlmostHeaven
Your fall adventures are just getting started. You can find more fall adventures across the state with ideas from our free West Virginia Vacation Guide to extend your getaway.
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