If you’re looking for hidden gems to visit in West Virginia, the entire state qualifies as one big best-kept secret! But if you need a few more specific suggestions, here are twelve magnificent hidden gems to discover in West Virginia, one for each month of the year.
- Bluestone Gorge
NPS photo/Mark Bollinger In January, take the opportunity to take in some views of Bluestone Gorge. Less famous than its nearby counterpart, the New River Gorge, Bluestone Gorge still offers some spectacular opportunities. There are many excellent access points to the gorge, including Bluestone State Park in Hinton. Bluestone State Park, 78, HC, Hinton, WV 25951, USA
- Canaan Valley Resort
Canaan Valley Resort / Facebook Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or an active day in the snow, Canaan Valley Resort is the perfect hidden gem to visit in February! Luxurious accommodations. Delicious food. Ice skating. Snow sports. And so much more! Canaan Valley Resort & Conference Center, 230 Main Lodge Rd, Davis, WV 26260, USA
- Pinnacle Rock
West Virginia State Parks Take a drive north past Bluefield to Pinnacle Rock State Park. This rock formation is especially stunning in early spring, when the trees are just beginning to leaf out and this massive boulder stands sharply against the sky. Pinnacle Rock State Park, 6470 Coal Heritage Rd, Bramwell, WV 24715, USA
- Cool Spring Nature Preserve
Kadija13 / TripAdvisor A nature center. A one-of-a-kind wetland marsh. George Washington. All these things (and more!) come together at Cool Spring Nature Preserve near Charles Town. Come for the spring flowers, stay for the beautiful views! Cool Spring Nature Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Rd, Charles Town, WV 25414, USA
- Palace of Gold
Visit Moundsville Did you even know that there was a palace tucked away in Moundsville? Now you do, and you need to visit! Add it to the list for May, when the gardens will be in bloom. Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold, 3759 McCreary’s Ridge Rd, Moundsville, WV 26041, USA
- Ritter Park Rose Garden
Huntington Area CVB June is an excellent time to catch the roses in bloom at Ritter Park Rose Garden in Huntington, West Virginia. And if you miss the roses, you’ll still enjoy the scenic gardens and historic stonework! Ritter Park Rose Garden, 1570 McCoy Rd, Huntington, WV 25701, USA
- Rudolph Falls and Swimming Hole
renaykeene / Tripadvisor Located along the Richwood end of the Highland Scenic Highway, Rudolph Falls is the perfect spot to cool off on a hot summer day! Stay at Four Seasons Lodge in order to take advantage of this swimming hole several days in a row. Rudolph Falls, 55 Highland Scenic Hwy, Richwood, WV 26261, USA
- Moncove Lake State Park
West Virginia State Parks In August, cool off in the shade of the pines at Moncove Lake, a beautiful mountain lake that stays quiet and peaceful year round. Fish, hike, boat, or take a dip in the lakeside swimming pool. Moncove Lake State Park, Co Rd 4/2, Gap Mills, WV 24941, USA
- The Highland Scenic Highway
Dreamhigh Photography by Christy Smith / Moment Open Collection via Getty Images Covering some of the prettiest, highest country in West Virginia, the fall colors on the Highland Scenic Highway start early. September (before too much risk of snow) is the perfect time to cruise this beautiful route. Highland Scenic Highway, Highland Scenic Hwy, West Virginia, USA
- Amtrak through the New River Gorge
Ali Majdfar / Moment Collection via Getty Images Leaf peepers love West Virginia, and for good reason. One surprisingly affordable and memorable way to enjoy the fall foliage in the New River Gorge region is by Amtrak! Prince, 5034 Stanaford Rd, Prince, WV 25907, USA
- Dunloup Falls
Carol M. Highsmith / Library of Congress Right along the road, yet hidden from the sight of most travelers, Dunloup Falls is a beautiful cascade conveniently located right along the route to Thurmond. Dunloup Creek Falls, 3508 Co Rte 25, Oak Hill, WV 25901, USA
- Heritage Farm Christmas Village
Heritage Farm / Facebook Heritage Farm, a historic farm park near Huntington, West Virginia, is a hidden gem no matter what time you visit. But if you catch it on certain dates in December when it’s been transformed into a Christmas Village, it’s an especially magical experience. Heritage Farm Museum & Village, 3300 Harvey Rd, Huntington, WV 25704, USA
How many of these hidden gems have you already discovered? Which one is your favorite? Once you’ve tackled these hidden gems across the state of West Virginia, try these twelve restaurants, one for each month of the year as well.
NPS photo/Mark Bollinger
In January, take the opportunity to take in some views of Bluestone Gorge. Less famous than its nearby counterpart, the New River Gorge, Bluestone Gorge still offers some spectacular opportunities. There are many excellent access points to the gorge, including Bluestone State Park in Hinton.
Bluestone State Park, 78, HC, Hinton, WV 25951, USA
Canaan Valley Resort / Facebook
Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or an active day in the snow, Canaan Valley Resort is the perfect hidden gem to visit in February! Luxurious accommodations. Delicious food. Ice skating. Snow sports. And so much more!
Canaan Valley Resort & Conference Center, 230 Main Lodge Rd, Davis, WV 26260, USA
West Virginia State Parks
Take a drive north past Bluefield to Pinnacle Rock State Park. This rock formation is especially stunning in early spring, when the trees are just beginning to leaf out and this massive boulder stands sharply against the sky.
Pinnacle Rock State Park, 6470 Coal Heritage Rd, Bramwell, WV 24715, USA
Kadija13 / TripAdvisor
A nature center. A one-of-a-kind wetland marsh. George Washington. All these things (and more!) come together at Cool Spring Nature Preserve near Charles Town. Come for the spring flowers, stay for the beautiful views!
Cool Spring Nature Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Rd, Charles Town, WV 25414, USA
Visit Moundsville
Did you even know that there was a palace tucked away in Moundsville? Now you do, and you need to visit! Add it to the list for May, when the gardens will be in bloom.
Prabhupada’s Palace of Gold, 3759 McCreary’s Ridge Rd, Moundsville, WV 26041, USA
Huntington Area CVB
June is an excellent time to catch the roses in bloom at Ritter Park Rose Garden in Huntington, West Virginia. And if you miss the roses, you’ll still enjoy the scenic gardens and historic stonework!
Ritter Park Rose Garden, 1570 McCoy Rd, Huntington, WV 25701, USA
renaykeene / Tripadvisor
Located along the Richwood end of the Highland Scenic Highway, Rudolph Falls is the perfect spot to cool off on a hot summer day! Stay at Four Seasons Lodge in order to take advantage of this swimming hole several days in a row.
Rudolph Falls, 55 Highland Scenic Hwy, Richwood, WV 26261, USA
In August, cool off in the shade of the pines at Moncove Lake, a beautiful mountain lake that stays quiet and peaceful year round. Fish, hike, boat, or take a dip in the lakeside swimming pool.
Moncove Lake State Park, Co Rd 4/2, Gap Mills, WV 24941, USA
Dreamhigh Photography by Christy Smith / Moment Open Collection via Getty Images
Covering some of the prettiest, highest country in West Virginia, the fall colors on the Highland Scenic Highway start early. September (before too much risk of snow) is the perfect time to cruise this beautiful route.
Highland Scenic Highway, Highland Scenic Hwy, West Virginia, USA
Ali Majdfar / Moment Collection via Getty Images
Leaf peepers love West Virginia, and for good reason. One surprisingly affordable and memorable way to enjoy the fall foliage in the New River Gorge region is by Amtrak!
Prince, 5034 Stanaford Rd, Prince, WV 25907, USA
Carol M. Highsmith / Library of Congress
Right along the road, yet hidden from the sight of most travelers, Dunloup Falls is a beautiful cascade conveniently located right along the route to Thurmond.
Dunloup Creek Falls, 3508 Co Rte 25, Oak Hill, WV 25901, USA
Heritage Farm / Facebook
Heritage Farm, a historic farm park near Huntington, West Virginia, is a hidden gem no matter what time you visit. But if you catch it on certain dates in December when it’s been transformed into a Christmas Village, it’s an especially magical experience.
Heritage Farm Museum & Village, 3300 Harvey Rd, Huntington, WV 25704, USA
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