Welcome to the little slice of Almost Heaven, West Virginia known as Pocahontas County. This beautiful mountain haven truly is wild and wonderful. It's home to the scenic little town of Marlinton and some of the Highland Scenic Highway. It's the location of the Greenbank Observatory and some of the National Radio Quiet Zone. Eight rivers have their headwaters here: the Cherry, Cranberry, Elk, Gauley, Greenbrier, Tygart Valley, Williams, and Shavers Fork of the Cheat Rivers. And, on top of all that, Pocahontas County is home to West Virginia's oldest, largest state forest, Seneca State Forest.
Featuring 12,884 acres of lush woodlands and remote mountains, Seneca State Forest is a wild paradise just waiting to be explored by adventurous travelers.
First acquired by the state in 1924 and fully opened to the public in 1938, Seneca State Forest holds the distinction of oldest, not to mention largest, state forest in West Virginia.
But despite its age and size, it's still a wild, remote paradise that provides world-weary travelers with a mountain-sized dose of nature's healing respite.
Or, if you can manage to snag a highly coveted spot, spend the night in one of the most unique lodging options in all of West Virginia: the Thorny Mountain Fire Tower.
For the best chance of reserving the tower for an overnight visit, plan your trip about a year in advance.
Have we convinced you to venture into the remote mountain paradise that is Seneca State Forest? Learn more about West Virginia's oldest, largest state forest at the West Virginia State Parks website. For food options while you're visiting this forest, try this popular little café in Marlinton.
We’re so lucky in West Virginia to have such wide swaths of lush forests all over the state, and when autumn arrives, seeing them burst into vivid colors is such a gorgeous sight. Fall in West Virginia brings harvest festivals, pumpkin patches, and so many fun family activities, and is such a special time of year. Here’s our ultimate guide to fall attractions and activities in West Virginia for 2024. Dive in and get ready for adventure!
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West Virginia Fall Foliage: Where To Go In West Virginia For Fall Foliage
The fall foliage in West Virginia is simply stunning. You can take a drive just about anywhere and see a lovely multicolored landscape. Whether you’re visiting or are a local, here are some of the best places to go to see those fall colors in full bloom during peak fall foliage season which is generally the second and third week of October.
Wow Factor: Much of the ground in this area is covered with a red "carpet" of foliage.
Need To Know: The roads can be rough in this area, so take extra precautions.
The Dolly Sods Wilderness is one of the most beautiful areas of the state and has several climatic zones, each with its own unique landscape. Heath barrens, bogs, and red spruce forests combine to form a wide and varied landscape that may feel like being on another planet. This is one of the most intriguing and beautiful areas in West Virginia. West Virginia in the fall doesn’t get much better than this.
Wow Factor: This is the oldest and largest state forest in West Virginia.
Need To Know: This is within the National Radio Quiet Zone so you may have limited radio reception.
Drive along the Highland Scenic Highway or take a hiking trail and walk among the tall trees in the Seneca State Forest to take in some of the brightest and best fall foliage in the state. There are 12,884 acres of forest to explore and you’ll surely want your camera on hand to catch some amazing shots. Make a weekend of it and, if you’re lucky, stay at the Thorny Mountain Fire Tower to really take in the scenery.
Wow Factor: This is the largest state forest in the state and is used as a living classroom for forestry and ecology by West Virginia University.
Need To Know: Repairs and construction are underway including around the scenic overlook. Take caution and expect traffic delays.
Cooper’s Rock has one of the most stunning scenic overlooks in West Virginia and the whole area becomes a stunning tapestry of fall colors interspersed with evergreens which creates some eye-catching contrasts. Due to repairs, if the overlook isn’t accessible, experience a wonderful short hike through the fall colors on the Rock City Trail
Wow Factor: Not only will you see amazing fall colors, but one of the tallest waterfalls in the state.
Need To Know: You can also play disc golf and get information, restrooms, and food at Blackwater Trading Co.
Blackwater Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in West Virginia, dropping 57 feet in an idyllic landscape that truly comes alive during the fall. The wide falls, the pool below, and the surrounding lush forest are such an amazing sight. You can access several viewpoints from the boardwalk leading from the Blackwater Trading Co. and the Gentle Trail on the other side of the river is an easy path.
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Best Pumpkin Patches In West Virginia
One of the most fun fall activities in West Virginia is to visit various pumpkin patches and enjoy the massive pumpkins, winding corn mazes, and sample so many treats like pumpkin pie and donuts. Some warm apple cider and some family time together at these places make every fall in West Virginia a comforting and fun treat. Let’s explore some of the best pumpkin patches in West Virginia.
Wow Factor: In addition to the pumpkin patch, there's a massive field of sunflowers that you can frolic in and pick a few.
Need To Know: Fall events run from September 14 to November 3, 2024.
Gritt’s Farm brings people from all over West Virginia to its annual Fun Farm in the fall. It’s been running since 1927 and it’s still going strong. You’ll see huge pumpkins, enjoy rides, play games, wander the corn maze, languish on hay rides, and so much more. You’re sure to have a blast! Don’t forget to pick up some of the fresh produce to take home.
Wow Factor:Good Housekeeping called this the best pumpkin patch in West Virginia.
Need To Know: Old McDonald's is open seasonally and will post its event dates as the fall season nears.
Old McDonald’s has been family-run for seven generations! This 175-acre farm has been used as an orchard, a dairy and beef farm, and is now exclusively used for hay, corn, and pumpkins. The five-acre corn maze is a huge attraction and there’s cornhole, giant slides, and an antique tractor display. You can pet farm animals and enjoy so many activities. Don’t miss it this year.
Best Fall Festivals In West Virginia
Nothing brings people together like fall festivals and harvest festivals. They’re among the best West Virginia fall activities. Music, food, laughter, and local traditions combine to build a sense of community and bring people together from all over the state. If you’re thinking, “Where are all the best fall activities near me?” then take a look at some of the best fall festivals in West Virginia:
Wow Factor: Some of the best folk and bluegrass bands in the state will be performing.
Need To Know: Harvest in the Wood will take place September 26-29, 2024.
How would you like four days of live folk and bluegrass music, scrumptious food, carnival rides, and more? The Harvest in the Wood Festival has all that and more. You can enjoy face painting, a bounce house, interactive games, and train rides, as well as treats and crafts from a ton of local vendors. Country music star Cooper Alan will be performing this year! Come have a ton of fun!
Wow Factor: This is one of the state's largest festivals and has been running since 1986.
Need To Know: The West Virginia Pumpkin Festival will take place from October 3 to October 6, 2024.
This four-day festival packs in so much entertainment and so many activities that you won’t know where to start. Every year at the West Virginia Pumpkin Festival, several live bands hit the stage, comedians and entertainers roam the crowds, and there are several stages that will bring magic, laughter, and wonder to you. There’s delicious food everywhere and you’ll see the most gigantic pumpkins ever at the pumpkin contest. Come take part in this festival’s 38th year.
The West Virginia Roadkill Cook-off and Autumn Harvest Festival
Wow Factor: This festival draws about 10,000 visitors every year.
Need To Know: You can attend The West Virginia Roadkill Cook-off and Autumn Harvest Festival on September 28, 2024.
If you want some rip-roarin’ fun and a lot of strangeness, make sure to attend The West Virginia Roadkill Cook-off and Autumn Harvest Festival. Don’t worry, no actual roadkill is used, but the cooks who apply to the festival must use as a main ingredient an animal that is commonly found dead on the side of the road. Opossums, squirrels, deer, groundhogs, crows, turkeys, snakes, bears, etc. There’s an irreverent vibe and it’s about as hillbilly as it gets. It’s a culinary adventure and there’s live music, games, and tons of activities to enjoy.
Wow Factor: The live music lineup features some of the best up-and-coming country music stars like Alana Springsteen and Tyler Braden.
Need To Know: The Preston County Buckwheat Festival will run from September 26 to September 29, 2024.
Preston County is known for growing buckwheat and one of the best uses of it is to make buckwheat pancakes. You can get your fill of these scrumptious treats at the Preston County Buckwheat Festival. It has one of the most stupendous music lineups including Tyler Braden. There’s an entire carnival full of rides and food booths. It’s a complete blowout that started from humble beginnings in 1938.
Free & Cheap West Virginia Fall Activities
We’ve wandered through fall foliage, frolicked in pumpkin patches, and had a total blast at magnificent fall festivals. Now, let’s explore some of the other West Virginia fall activities where you’ll spend little to no money and still have a wonderful time. These include some of the best places to visit in West Virginia in the fall. Let’s go exploring!
Wow Factor: Some corn mazes are as huge as 10 acres.
Need To Know: Always keep a close eye on the little ones to ensure they don't run off and get lost in the maze.
Corn mazes have become a long-time fall tradition in West Virginia. With all our farmland, it’s no surprise that vast fields of corn which are already quite a task to navigate would be turned into crafty labyrinths. Several farms host these every year and they often carve out an image that can be seen from the air. Admission to these are either free or quite inexpensive. These mazes are a great way to enjoy an affordable day of fun with the kids.
Wow Factor: The Kenova Pumpkin House displays over 3,000 pumpkins.
Need To Know: If you come during the evening you can see all the pumpkins come alight as jack-o-lanterns.
Take a drive to Kenova to see the astounding Kenova Pumpkin House. Since 1978, the Griffith family has set up this breathtaking display of 3,000 carved pumpkins and it’s absolutely free to come to view them. While they’re quite a sight during the day, at night seeing them all lit up is awe-inspiring. West Virginians travel from all over the state to see this.
Wow Factor: This is one of the most photographed locations in the world.
Need To Know: Thankfully, access to this place is quite easy and you won't need to hike a trail.
You’ve likely seen the Glade Creek Grist Mill on calendars, posters, postcards, and many other things. While the pictures are gorgeous, there’s nothing like seeing this mill right in front of you, especially in the fall. It’s free to visit and it’s in Babcock State Park which has no fee to enter. Come see one of the most stunning sights on earth and only pay for the gas to get there!
Wow Factor: Harper's Ferry is the most historically important location in West Virginia.
Need To Know: The entrance pass is $20 for an entire car full of people.
You’ve certainly heard of Harper’s Ferry during history classes in school. It was an essential location during the Civil War and the War of 1812. It’s also one of the most breathtaking places to visit during the fall. The historic buildings surrounded by some of the most vivid fall foliage around is a sight you won’t forget. It evokes a sense of wonder as you think about how much intense history happened in such a beautiful place.
Wow Factor: This is West Virginia's biggest event with over 100,000 people in attendance each year.
Need To Know: You may not drive on the bridge during this event. Shuttles from nearby parking locations are $5. It takes place on October 19, 2024.
Bridge Day is absolutely massive in West Virginia. It’s the one day of the year when people can BASE jump, zipline, and rappel off of this 876-foot-tall bridge. There’s no admission to watch, however, participants must apply beforehand and pay a fee. Hundreds of vendors will be on hand so you won’t go hungry. Come attend the 45th anniversary of this amazing event.
After reading this ultimate guide to fall attractions and activities in West Virginia, are you primed and ready to get out there and explore and have tons of fun? Let us know about your favorite events in the comments and tell us about any we’ve missed. If you’d like to take a road trip to see some of the most beautiful fall foliage, we’ve got one all prepared for you:
The best time to visit Cranberry Glades in Hillsboro, West Virginia is quite possibly any time as it is beautiful in every season. But if you want to see the unusual plants blooming, the warmer months are ideal. Also, guided tours are offered through the summer months on which you'll quickly find it is unlike any other place. Located in the Monongahela National Forest, with a magic all its own, the red landscape and exotic plant life feel a bit like you're walking on another planet. Let's take a look at the unique Cranberry Glades in West Virginia.
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The Cranberry Glades Botanical Area consists of four bogs, also called "muskegs," reminiscent of the bogs up north.
The 750-acre area has a boardwalk running through two of the bogs in an effort to leave the fragile ecology undisturbed. The National Park Service staff asks that you do not venture off the boardwalk areas, so as to preserve this precious flora for others to enjoy for years to come.
The transformed landscape, visible along the Cranberry Bog Boardwalk, is a sight to behold, and the 0.6-mile easy loop trail is one of the best ways to explore this unique property.
Walking through the woods in this wild environment creates a feeling of otherworldliness. Read more about this hike and others on the AllTrails website.
It eventually leads into a lush forest, replete with unique forms of plant life you have probably never seen before in this country.
These include many strange and exotic species of plant some of which are even carnivorous.
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You'll find cranberries - of course - moss, skunk cabbage, and the two carnivorous plants: the purple pitcher plant (pictured) and the interesting sundew.
No worry of getting lost here, as this road promptly dead-ends at a parking lot adjacent to the falls.
In peak times, near the end of autumn, visitors can see where the Cranberry Glades gets its name as they become vibrant red, and walking through this area becomes a surreal, almost magical experience.
You will find a moment where you can easily imagine yourself on another planet - perhaps Mars - if its red surface was comprised of grasses and bogs instead of dust.
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This area is so unusual to American hikers because of a great ecological migration that took place during the Pleistocene Epoch when massive continental ice sheets deposited Canadian flora and fauna into the region.
The Glades are the southernmost part of this migration. As we wrote before, any time is a good time to visit the Cranberry Glades in WV - even decorated with snow.
For the best time to visit Cranberry Glades and other information, visit the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area web page. Have you ever been to Cranberry Glades? Feel free to comment below and tell us all about your experience.
To learn more about West Virginia's unusual places, check out this little portion of Canada right here in the Mountain State. And shop for some hiking gear on The North Face website.
