15 Incredible Natural Wonders In West Virginia That Defy Explanation
Lisa Battles
Author
As the only state that lies completely within the Appalachian Mountains, you can say all of West Virginia is a natural wonder. It also stands to reason that the Mountain State has a long list of natural wonders within its borders, as well. John Denver sang it’s “Almost Heaven,” and the state has embraced that description. We think you’ll agree. The best part? Most of them are free!
Best Gorges & Canyons In West Virginia
There is beauty to be found in the highs, lows, and everything in between throughout our mountain home. That said, few sights are more dramatic than the elevation drop of a canyon. Here are just two of the most notable among West Virginia’s spectacular canyons.
1. New River Gorge
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve comprises over 70,000 acres along 53 miles of the New River, which is one of the oldest on Earth. The canyon’s maximum depth is 1,600 feet. Many creatures and plants make their home in the park’s diverse habitats, including several endangered species. It also attracts visitors for its many recreational opportunities, from hiking, rock climbing, and biking on land to canoeing, fishing, and whitewater rafting on water. You’ll find challenging Class III to Class V rapids on the lower part of the river and somewhat less difficult Class I to III rapids along the upper section.
2. The Trough
The South Branch Potomac River created this gorge that runs six miles through the Allegheny Mountains. George Washington named it The Trough during a 1748 surveying expedition. Seven years after it made its impression on Washington, The Trough was the site of a violent conflict between Anglo-American settlers and Native American Shawnee warriors. Today, people can take in the natural beauty and see bald eagles soar as they ride through The Trough on the Potomac Eagle train. Others opt to take directly to the water, canoeing or kayaking. People can choose among several paddle or float trips through Calleva Trough Outfitters, which offers gear, guidance, and shuttle service.
Best Caves In West Virginia
Given the stellar sights of the Mountain State’s above-ground terrain, you won’t be disappointed to see the natural wonders that extend beneath it. For example, Pendleton County’s Germany Valley has some of the oldest limestone on the East Coast. Time, water, and porous rock have resulted in many caves within this area alone. If you like what you see in these examples, be sure to check out our list of even more incredible caves and rock formations.
3. Lost World Caverns
Take a 45-minute, half-mile walking tour of this commercial cave that was discovered in 1942. The formations are the show-stoppers and include a 30-ton stalactite called The Snowy Chandelier, which some say is one of the largest in America. Another, the War Club, is the 28-foot stalagmite that then-cave manager Bob Addis stayed on for 15 days, 23 hours, and 22 minutes. Why? To make the Guinness Book of World Records for "stalagmite-sitting" in 1971. Twenty years later, the supermarket tabloid Weekly World News claimed a creature named Bat Boy's origin story began here. You can go see for yourself. The caverns have over 6,000 feet of passages, only about 10 percent of which you'll see on the regular tour. And still, what meets the eye is astounding, especially in the great room that is over 300 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 50 feet tall.
4. Seneca Caverns
The limestone of Seneca Caverns dates back to around 450 million years ago, with the cave having formed about 4.5 million years ago. Its earliest known inhabitants were Seneca Indians who used the cave in the early 1400s. In 1742, a man named Laven Teter came across the cave when seeking water for his livestock. The property stayed in his family until 1928, when it was purchased and opened to the public as a show cave. On tours, guests descend 165 feet underground to see the cave's many stunning rock formations – or speleothems – such as draperies, cave bacon, rimstone pools, and ribbon stalactites. It also has the largest flowstone formation in West Virginia.
5. Organ Cave
Best Waterfalls In West Virginia
The cascade of a waterfall captivates, mesmerizes, and soothes all at the same time. You can delight your senses and rejuvenate your spirit with a journey to one of the many in West Virginia with this ultimate waterfall road trip. In the meantime, here are a couple of our best.
6. Blackwater Falls
Blackwater Falls State Park has been named the best in West Virginia for its good looks and sparkling personality. Blackwater Falls gets much of the credit for that. As the 57-footer rushes into the gorge, you'll see the dark streaks of amber for which the river, falls, and park are named. The color comes from the tannins produced when the surrounding trees' needles decompose. Other must-see nature spots here include Lindy Point, Elakala Falls, and Pendleton Point Overlook. The park, which is located in the Allegheny Mountains of Tucker County, has a restaurant, a disc golf course, a sled run (the longest on the East Coast), and more than 20 popular trails. It also offers several options for overnight stays, from traditional camping and cabins to luxury Tentrr tent sites or a lodge with hotel amenities.
7. Sandstone Falls
It takes a brief, quarter-mile walk to reach Sandstone Falls within the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The path to the falls is a fun little journey of its own, and it's totally worth it to see one of the state's most-visited natural wonders. Also known as the Great Falls of the New River, the waterfall spans 1,500 feet across and drops from 10 to 15 feet. The boardwalk path is handicapped accessible and passes through an area of rare plants, over bridges, and to various viewing areas for the falls.
Best Overlooks & Scenic Vistas In West Virginia
When you set out to find the must-see nature in West Virginia, of course, you want to know the best vantage points. We’ve gathered a few that allow you to take in the bigger pictures amid the mountainous, rugged terrain. Sometimes a bird’s-eye view is just the perspective a person needs.
8. Birthplace of Rivers
While many know Pocahontas County for its popular ski resort, Snowshoe Mountain, fewer know this county is the headwaters for eight rivers: Cherry, Cranberry, Elk, Gauley, Greenbrier, Tygart Valley, Williams, and Shavers Fork of the Cheat. For stunning views over this lush landscape, head to the Highland Scenic Highway in the Cranberry Wilderness area of the Monongahela National Forest. The Williams River Overlook is just one example of the scenery you'll see.
9. Spruce Knob
At 4,863 feet, Spruce Knob is the highest point in the state. It's part of the 100,000-acre Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area of the Monongahela National Forest. You can drive up to the knob and enjoy the views from an observation tower atop the knob and a half-mile, easy trail that encircles it. Two campgrounds are close by, and there are more primitive camping opportunities for those who want to explore the over 60 miles of trails in the backcountry surrounding the peak.
10. Harpers Ferry
This 18th-century town has been called the most beautiful historic town in America. While its manmade architecture certainly contributes to that honor, it's truly the juxtaposition against the unique natural environment that seals the deal. As far back as 1783, Thomas Jefferson observed its unique beauty and later wrote about the convergence of the two rivers as "perhaps one of the most stupendous scenes in nature." And that's why it's one of West Virginia's natural wonders; you will not see another place like it. Part of the area is designated Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, so guests may tour the town and learn about its many historic events, some of which shaped the nation. The town has remained a significant site in African American history for it being the site of early abolitionist John Brown's raid of a US Armory, Arsenal and Rifle Factory in 1859.
Best Rock Formations In West Virginia
With mountains all around, West Virginia is home to incredible geology. These examples stand out in different ways. One you can’t miss by sight, and the other you’ll feel when you get close to it! For more nature spots that rock, be sure to read our round-up of the state’s best rock formations and caves.
11. Seneca Rocks
Seneca Rocks, a striking formation in Monongahela National Forest, rises almost 900 feet above the confluence of Seneca Creek and the North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac River. Popular among rock climbers, it's a standout example of Eastern West Virginia's Tuscarora quartzite formations. A 2.6-mile, round-trip hike from the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center allows visitors to reach the summit – and the splendid views.
12. Ice Mountain
This one is more of an ice formation than a rock formation, or rather, ice and rock working together. Ice Mountain earns its name from what happens at its base, where cold air sinks and forms ice masses during cooler months. When warmer weather arrives, the mountain releases the cooler air through rocky vents at the icy base. Because of this, you'll find a range of plants you'd usually expect in much cooler climates in Canada. People can take guided visits allowing access to the 149-acre habitat. The Nature Conservancy oversees the property and asks that people book at least three weeks to a month in advance and limit groups to 15 or fewer participants.
Unique Natural Wonders In West Virginia
While several of West Virginia’s best nature spots are tough to classify, they’re delightful in their unusual ways. The common trait is they’re unexpected – from ecosystems that mirror parts of far northern climates to George Washington’s fave for hot springs healing.
13. Dolly Sods Wilderness
Dolly Sods Wilderness, part of the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia, spans over 17,300 acres with almost 50 miles of hiking trails. The wilderness, featuring Red Creek drainage, showcases unique bog and heath ecosystems like those of southern Canada. Elevations from 2,600 to 4,000 feet offer breathtaking views. A unique feature of Dolly Sods is its location on the Allegheny Plateau along a ridge that forms part of the Eastern Continental Divide.
14. Berkeley Springs
Berkeley Springs, a premier hot spring in the US, dates back hundreds of years as a site for healing soaks in mineral waters. Lord Fairfax owned the property in the mid 1700s and ultimately granted it to the state in 1776. The springs have ties to important figures in the nation's history, including George Washington, who was a frequent visitor. The site today is a state park and welcomes visitors year-round to enjoy the waters, which remain at a constant temperature of 74.3 degrees.
15. Cranberry Glades Botanical Area
Cranberry Glades, a national natural landmark in the Allegheny Mountains, spans 750 acres at an elevation of 3,400 feet. It comprises five boreal bogs that give rise to a delightful mix of unusual plants, such as cranberries (of course!), sphagnum moss, carnivorous plants, and skunk cabbage. The Cranberry Glades Boardwalk trail allows visitors to see these landscapes up close. The glades are adjacent to the 47,815-acre Cranberry Wilderness.
Are you ready to go explore all of these West Virginia natural wonders? Are there others you’d add? Be sure to check out our ultimate road trip essentials to help you prepare for the adventure.
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