Parsons, West Virginia
Top Spots in and near Parsons
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Maysville, West Virginia
Lions Head Loop
5.020.35 mi / 2195 ft gainWhat used to be an artillery testing site during WWII, Dolly Sods is a great place for backpackers of almost any expertise. Water is easily found throughout the wilderness area and while 21 miles might feel like a lot, it is very manageable over the course of 3 days. Attached (at the bottom) is...Read more -
Elkins, West Virginia
Hike to High Falls in Monongahela National Forest
5.08.2 mi / 1440 ft gainThough this beautiful hike is a serious workout, it's actually quite easy to follow. It's also listed on Google Maps - I'd highly recommend downloading the map offline just in case something happens. Starting at the trailhead (park at a pull-off along the gravel road just a few hundred feet befor...Read more -
Seneca Rocks, West Virginia
Seneca Rocks Trail
4.73.12 mi / 784 ft gainSeneca Rocks is probably one of the best known landmarks in West Virginia. This iconic formation sits 900 feet above the North Fork River. I highly recommend anyone interested in taking a trip to West Virginia take some time to visit Seneca Rocks. These rock formations are really an amazing site....Read more -
Seneca Rocks, West Virginia
Camp at Yokum's Vacationland
With warm weather, we couldn't wait to go camping so we drove a few miles south of us to Yokum's Vacationland to camp in a teepee. It was THE BEST! It was so cold and we forgot our air mattress pump so we ended up car camping but the whole adventure was so awesome. We were the only people camping...Read more -
Seneca Rocks, West Virginia
Climb Seneca Rocks
5.02.6 mi / 700 ft gainPark at the Seneca Rocks visitor parking spot located just off Mountaineer Drive. Take the trail directly across from the lot, cross the bridge over the stream, and follow the trail about one mile until you see a rock stair trail on your left side (Seneca Rocks side). Follow this rock stair trail...Read more -
Cabins, West Virginia
Backpack the North Fork Mountain Trail & Chimney Top
5.024.7 miOne of my favorite hikes in West Virginia, since the whole ridge is full of views. Backpacking the North Fork Mountain Trail is about 24.7 miles in total and a challenging hike but with relentless views. In my opinion, the best West Virginia has to offer. Summertime backpacking the whole the NFM...Read more -
Cabins, West Virginia
Hike to Chimney Rock in the Monongahela National Forest
4.74.85 mi / 1319 ft gainChimney Rock (also referred to as Chimney Top) is a hidden gem in the Monongahela National Forest that offers some of the best views in the state of West Virginia. There are several trail options that pass this overlook, including a 24 mile point-to-point backpack of the North Fork Mountain Trai...Read more -
Whitmer, West Virginia
Spruce Knob Lake Loop
4.00.96 mi / 13 ft gainSpruce Knob Lake is located just below the peak of Spruce Knob at 3,840’, making it the highest lake in West Virginia. If you are not camping in the campground, there is a parking lot/boat launch located near the dam. If you are camped in the campground, there is a trail that leads from the campg...Read more -
Oakland, Maryland
Hike the Herrington Manor/Swallow Falls Trail
5.011 mi / 25 ft gainI began my adventure at the trailhead in Herrington Manor State Park. The parking lot was empty and the trail was very easy to access. From start to finish this trail varies in the width of its path. For the first mile I had a lot of foot room, but as I went deeper into the forest, the trail turn...Read more -
Riverton, West Virginia
Spruce Knob Observation Tower
4.50.34 mi / 33 ft gainDriving to the top of Spruce Mountain is perhaps the most difficult part of the journey. Once at the top of Spruce Mountain, park and head south along a short, 0.2 mile long trail that leads to the official state highpoint of Spruce Knob. Be sure to find the USGS marker near the base of the obser...Read more -
Fairmont, West Virginia
Rhododendron Trail and Rocky Trail Loop
4.33.82 mi / 738 ft gainA former lumber and gristmill community, Valley Falls State Park offers one of the most accessible--and massive--waterfalls in WV. Just a few dozen yards from the parking lot, you'll find the park's namesake (and probably a lot of people, engagement photoshoots, and just general mayhem). But if y...Read more -
Fairmont, West Virginia
Valley Falls via Rocky and Rhododendron Trail
3.82 mi / 738 ft gainValley Falls via Rocky and Rhododendron Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Fairmont, West Virginia.Read more -
Oakland, Maryland
Hike the Swallow Falls Loop
4.71.1 mi / 125 ft gainThis park has plenty to do—forest hiking, swimming at Herrington Manor, and camping—but the main attraction, unsurprisingly, is Swallow Falls. The Swallow Falls Canyon Trail (1.1 miles) follows Muddy Creek and features a number of other falls, including Muddy Creek Falls (53 ft).Read more -
Masontown, West Virginia
Hike to Raven’s Rock Overlook
4.81.5 mi / 587 ft gainThe Raven’s Rock Trail leading to the Raven’s Rock Overlook is easily the second most photographed area of the Coopers Rock State Forest! There are two ways to access the trail which doubles as an access road. The first trail access can be found along the WV County Road 73/16 also known as Cooper...Read more -
Masontown, West Virginia
Take in the View at Coopers Rock Overlook
5.00 mi / 0 ft gainThe Coopers Rock Overlook is the crown jewel of Coopers Rock State Forest. The name is derived from a legend about a fugitive who hid near the overlook to elude capture. He was a cooper by trade and continued to make and sell barrels to the local communities to support himself while living in the...Read more -
Morgantown, West Virginia
Hike to the Henry Clay Furnace
3.01.8 mi / 70 ft gainAcross the road from the McCollum camping area entrance of Coopers Rock sits the entry point of the Clay Run Trail. With a hiking distance of 1.8 miles (1 hour and 10 minute walking time), this adventure will lead you to a jaw-dropping landmark, the Henry Clay Furnace.Built between 1834 and 1836,...Read more