Sometimes it's nice to escape the crowds and find some quiet enjoyment at a little-known oasis. Thankfully, there are lots of hidden gems in West Virginia, so no matter where in the state you find yourself, you're likely to find a diamond in the rough hiding nearby. The only thing better than a trip to a quiet, beautiful, little-known spot? Visiting six of them!
1. Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park (Summersville)
Located surprisingly close to the popular Summersville Lake, Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park is a hidden West Virginia gem filled with beautiful views and fascinating historical sites. Featuring panoramic vistas of the Gauley River as well as a small historic museum and several significant Civil War sites, this state park is well worth a visit!
2. Prince Depot (Prince)
Forsaken except for a few weekly Amtrak stops, the Prince Depot is a fascinating train station in the art deco style tucked away at the base of the steeply wooded slopes of the rugged New River Gorge.
3. Little Beaver State Park (Beckley)
Another state park that often flies under the radar, Little Beaver State Park is anchored by the beautiful Little Beaver Lake and crisscrossed by many quiet, pleasant hiking trails. The dam forms a small, picturesque waterfall at its spillway and the lake boasts boating and picnicking facilities for a fun day spent in some of West Virginia's prettiest mountain country!
4. Cook's Old Mill (Greenville)
Tucked away in Monroe County roughly between Peterstown and Hinton, Cook's Old Mill in Greenville is a quiet, peaceful getaway with a beautifully restored gristmill, blacksmith shop, and pioneer cabin. If you want to be instantly transported to an older, simpler time, this is the spot for you!
5. Kumbrabow State Forest (Huttonsville)
This quiet state forest perched in the West Virginia high country is the perfect place to escape from it all! Complete with cabins, hiking, fishing, and more, this state forest offers plenty of quiet privacy and wild beauty. This is one stunning state forest in West Virginia you can't miss!
6. Pringle Tree (Buckhannon)
This fascinatingly unique tree was once the home of the Pringle brothers, two of the earliest white settlers of West Virginia. They lived in its hollow trunk. Yes, really! This offbeat attraction in West Virginia is wonderfully weird in the best of ways,
Have you ever visited any of these hidden West Virginia gems? Which one was your favorite? To set out on this hidden gem road trip yourself, see the route on Google Maps here.
If you get hungry along the route, consider a stop for a hotdog at Skyline Drive-In not far from the Prince Depot and Little Beaver State Park - this is another hidden gem that became famous as Hank Williams's last stop!
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