A Spontaneous Weekend Road Trip in West Virginia You’ll Love

When you're craving a thrilling adventure road trip through West Virginia, you gas up the car, hop in, and go! But where? There are so very many options. If you're having trouble mapping a good itinerary for your next adventure road trip in West Virginia, we've got your back. This weekend road trip in West Virginia takes you to all of the top attractions in the state.

What To Know Before You Go

This scenic road trip in West Virginia begins at the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve and travels northeast, ending at Harpers Ferry. It’s about 325 miles from beginning to end, so it’s best to spread it out over a weekend. There are plenty of cabins in West Virginia to spend the night along the route, like this tiny home near Seneca Rocks. 

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

You can’t take a road trip in West Virginia and pass up the New River Gorge. We’re putting this one at the beginning so you can get there early to beat the crowds. You could spend the entire weekend exploring this National Park, but if you only spend a couple of hours here, you can hit the highlights and get a tiny taste of all this incredible natural area offers. 

For a short and sweet hike, check out the Sandstone Falls Boardwalk. It connects with the Island Loop Trail to make a nice one-mile loop with beautiful New River views and the beautiful Sandstone Falls. For a longer trek, the Endless Wall Trail is one of the most iconic hiking trails in the New River Gorge. The 5.5-mile trail weaves through the forest, taking you on a zig-zag path along the cliff’s edge. The views are spectacular to say the least. The overlook at Diamond Point is a good turnaround point. 

Consider this New River Gorge road trip, dedicated entirely to this incredible natural wonder.

Lewisburg

Our next stop brings us to Lewisburg, a charming town in the hills of Greenbrier Valley. Home to about 4,000 residents, Lewisburg is known for its artsy vibes, welcoming atmosphere, and vibrant downtown scene. Lost World Caverns is one of the town’s main attractions, should you want to go on an underground adventure! For my covered bridge fans, swing by the Historic Herns Mill Covered Bridge. It was built in 1884 and clocks in at 10.6 feet wide and 54 feet long, and is one of our favorite covered bridges in West Virginia.

There are plenty of restaurants in Lewisburg to fuel up before continuing on this West Virginia road trip. Hill & Holler has a great vibe with some of the best pizza in the state. Grab a coffee from The Wild Bean before hitting the highway, and you’re ready to rock.

Seneca Rocks

Nestled in the Monongahela National Forest, Seneca Rocks is one of the most iconic sights in West Virginia. I’m a big fan of landscapes that make you feel small, and Seneca Rocks does that easily. Hike the 1.3-mile Seneca Rocks Trail that leads to an observation deck to see those mesmerizing, panoramic valley views. 

Optional side quest: While you’re in the area, you may want to visit Spruce Knob. As the highest point in West Virginia, it certainly fits into this nature-inspired road trip perfectly! 

Blackwater Falls State Park

Our first stop of the day takes us into the Allegheny Mountains and over to Blackwater Falls State Park. As its name might suggest, the crown jewel of this state park is the 57-foot Blackwater Falls. Seeing these amber-colored falls is a bucket list item for many, and it’s accessible via the 0.25-mile Blackwater Falls Boardwalk Trail. There are about 200 steps to get down to the observation deck. For an easier trek, check out the 0.25-mile Gentle Trail (no steps required). 

If you’ve got the time, I recommend also checking out the Lindy Point Overlook at Blackwater Falls State Park. The short and scenic trail takes you to a stunning overlook where you’ve got a sensational view of the Blackwater Canyon from 3,000 feet above. 

Harpers Ferry

All good things must come to an end, and our final stop along this scenic road trip in West Virginia brings us to Harpers Ferry. This historic West Virginia town sits at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers and offers a little bit of everything. Take a stroll through Lower Town and see “The Point” where the two rivers meet, hike Maryland Heights and get a bird’s eye view, or take a historic approach and visit John Brown’s Fort and St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church. There’s truly no shortage of things to do in Harpers Ferry.

Thinking of tackling this scenic West Virginia road trip? Share this article with your fellow road trip warrior and start making plans today. For even more inspiration, check out our full list of the best road trips in West Virginia, where we feature 11 of the best road trip itineraries.