Summers in West Virginia bring many opportunities for you to check off more boxes on your summer bucket list. If you are looking to beat the heat in the process, there are plenty of spots in Almost Heaven with higher elevations that make that possible. From mountaintop villages to cool waterfalls, West Virginia has a way to cool you off.
This summer, take a “coolcation” at these five destinations in the Potomac Highlands.
Snowshoe Mountain
Snowshoe, West Virginia
The second-highest point of elevation in West Virginia at 4,848 feet, Snowshoe Mountain in Pocahontas County boasts unique mountaintop views and a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. Home of the 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 and soon 2024 UCI World Cup, Snowshoe is an established, world-class mountain biking destination for riders of all skill levels. Enjoy blazing through nearly 40 mountain biking trails and experience 1,500 feet of elevation change. Also, head to Shavers Lake beach, where you can take out a stand-up paddleboard or canoe, lounge in a hammock and make some moves on the water jungle gym.
For dinner, sink your teeth into a few slices of pizza at Cheat Mountain Pizza or grab a sandwich at the Junction Ale House. To extend your mountaintop cooldown, choose from a wide array of overnight options, including the Mountain Lodge, log townhome rentals at Loggers Run, Village Central and many others that include beautiful views of the surrounding area.
Tucker County
Tucker County is full of hidden gems for you to find a cool spot. Tag your friends along for the 0.7-mile out-and-back hike to Lindy Point Overlook near Davis. You’ll be greeted by a stunning view of the Blackwater River and the rolling hills that brush the sky. This is also a popular destination for birding, so be sure to bring a pair of binoculars!
Elakala Falls is another charming spot to cool off. This is a series of four waterfalls found within Blackwater Falls State Park, with “black” waters just like the water found at the nearby 57-foot-tall Blackwater Falls since it’s also stained from fallen hemlock and red spruce needles. Follow Elakala Trail to enjoy these gorgeous falls – and be sure to look down as this path will take you directly above the first falls along a wooden bridge.
Want to get a round of swings in? Enjoy the scenic 18-hole golf course at Canaan Valley Resort State Park. Easily extend your stay with 160 rooms at the lodge or choose from 23 cabins and 34 campsites to let the adventures continue the next day.
Cass
Cass is a small train town that brings many opportunities to embrace the past. Cass Scenic Railroad State Park features an authentic train town featuring old-school train excursions. Turn the clock back to an era when steam-driven locomotives were the norm for transportation and enjoy a slower-paced experience. Train rides departing from the Cass Depot will reveal unparalleled views of a vast wilderness and close-up encounters with the sights and sounds of original steam-driven locomotives.
While you’re here, be sure to climb to the top of the fire tower to see a stunning view of the surrounding pine trees, mountains and soaring birds!
Dolly Sods Wilderness
Elkins, West Virginia
Dolly Sods Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. All 17,371 scenic acres spread across Grant, Randolph and Tucker counties. This is the perfect choice for hikers of all skill levels – with breathtaking views no matter where you are in the wilderness. Perfect for hikers in a hurry, Beaver Dam Trail is just 1.4 miles out-and-back and only takes 40 minutes to complete. The Dolly Sods Wilderness contains much of the Red Creek drainage and contains bog and heath eco-types. Elevations range from 2,500 to over 4,700 feet, so if you decide to set up camp here, so you can count on comfortable temperatures for resting your head.
Beartown State Park
Marlinton, West Virginia
If you want to explore one of the more unique state parks in West Virginia, then Beartown State Park is a must-visit. This 110-acre natural area is located on the eastern summit of Droop Mountain in northern Greenbrier County and a small section of Pocahontas County. Beartown is known for its majestic rocky formations, enormous boulders, overhanging cliffs and deep crevices. Explore it all while walking on the half-mile boardwalk that cuts through the formations and thick forest.
While Beartown State Park is for day-use only, Seneca State Forest and Watoga State Park, are both about an hour’s drive away if you wish to camp under the stars.
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