Take A 2-Hour Drive Through West Virginia To See This Year’s Beautiful Fall Colors

Any time of the year is a great time to visit West Virginia, where scenic beauty abounds. But in the autumn, that beauty really comes alive! While the higher mountain regions are prettiest in late September through early October, some of the more southern areas don't peak until mid-to-late October. But you're going to want to experience it all. So we've created this fun, 2-hour fall foliage drive in West Virginia that takes you through some beautiful, historic countryside along Highway 3 that is especially spectacular at this time of the year.

The first place on this adventure to enjoy fall in West Virginia is located not far outside of Beckley.

It is here that we want you to stop for a stroll around the grounds of The Resort at Glade Springs, which lights up with flames of color on every tree each fall.

Next, we're going to head on toward the town of Hinton.

We suggest that you stop at Kirk's Restaurant for a hotdog and a view once you reach the New River.

Cross the New River and follow the Greenbrier River upstream to the John Henry Historical Park, which is also the site of the Big Bend Tunnel.

It is named after legendary African American folker hero John Henry. There's also a John Henry Museum and Gift Shop just a short drive beyond the park at the Talcott Public Access Site to the Greenbrier River.

The Graham House Museum is another fun stop along West Virginia Highway 3.

Built in 1770, it was the first established house, and now a historic home, in what is now Summers County.

Highway 3 will then take you across the Greenbrier River on the Alderson Memorial Bridge in Alderson, a beautiful, historic mountain town worth exploring if you have the time.

It is located in the town of Alderson, which is a beautiful, historic mountain community worth exploring if you have the time.

From Alderson, it's on to Union. Note that Highway 3 will merge briefly with U.S. Route 219/Seneca Trail South as it passes through Union.

If it's beautiful scenery you're after, try the view from the Confederate Soldiers Memorial just before you reach Union. Highway 3 will split off of Route 219 again in Union and take you west through Gap Mills.

End your drive at the historic Sweet Springs Resort & Spa, located close to the West Virginia/Virginia border.

At that time that this article was updated, the Sweet Swings Resort was undergoing renovations, with the hope of making it comparable to the one Thomas Jefferson envisioned and guests like George Washington, James Madison, Franklin Pierce, Martin Van Buren, Millard Fillmore, Marquis de Lafayette, and Robert E. Lee all enjoyed.

To get you on your way, we've created a Google map of this route. Happy leaf peeping!

Have you driven West Virginia Highway 3 from Beckley to Sweet Springs before? Isn't it a beautiful trip? Where do you like to go to experience the fall colors in West Virginia? We'd love to read about your experiences in the comments section below!

If you're still hungry after your stop at Kirk's Restaurant, be sure to stop for dessert at the Kitchen Creek Bakery in Gap Mills! If you like to pack your own food on road trips, check out these sturdy food containers. You can also use them with our ultimate list of 50 on-the-go food ideas.

If you’re still in the mood for more West Virginia adventures, take a look at this video: