Mikinga

Any suggestions what to see and where to go in West Virginia, Virginia. I love hiking in the mountains. I will be going there next summer. What campgrounds are nice to stay in?
Sincerely,
Inga

Ackislander

This isn't a camping/hiking crowd for the most part, but I'll try to start. Try googling these places:

The New River Gorge is rugged to very rugged and a regular area for hiking, climbing, kayaking, and bungee jumping.

The Shenadoah National Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway have camping and trailheads for trails of many levels of difficulty.

The Appalachian Trail goes from one end of Virginia to the other if you are looking for something a bit more challenging.

longhorn55

We often hike and camp in Shenandoah National Park, so I would recommend a few days there.

Here's a link to their website and the website for the Blue Ridge Parkway so you can read about the various hiking trails and campgrounds.

www.nps.gov/shen
www.nps.gov/blri

Christina

Are you interested in anything other than camping/hiking? In Virginia, obviously you have Monticello, but also some good places for bluegrass music. Here is a "music trail" agenda http://www.virginia.org/thecrookedroad/

Mikinga

Thank you very much.

PaulRabe

> I love hiking in the mountains

Then your choices are either Shenandoah National Park or Mount Rogers National Recreation Area.

janisj

Mikinga: I have nothing to add (all my camping experience is on the other side of the country) - just wanted to let you know the fodorite who said you were rude on your other thread was totally out of line. Don't worry about it. (I think he didn't realize you were the OP)

db6040

I am late to post here but if you are still planning a trip for next summer, I would like to suggest the towns of Davis and Thomas in Tucker County West Virginia. There are two fantastic state parks: Blackwater Falls and Canaan Valley (Dolly Sods pretty close too), nice lodging or campgrounds, beautiful scenery, and great restaurants and breweries. There is even a spot for live music called the Purple Fiddle which is always fun. This is small town, rural West Virginia but it cannot be beat for mountain scenery and just an all around fun time. We take 2 or 3 long weekend trips here a year.

Mikinga

Thank you for your reply.

Clousie

There are many wonderful state parks in WV. We haven't camped, but really like the idea of having campgrounds, cabins and lodges all in the same park. We've been to Canaan Valley several times and there is a lot of hiking in the area, especially Dolly Sods.

Last year we went to the southern part of the state and stayed at Pipestem. Again lots of hiking fairly close by and lots of other things to do.

A little further north (we stayed in a B&B in Slatyfork) there are many trails in the Monogohela NF. We did two easy ones at Cranberry Glade and Falls of Hill Creek, but quite enjoyable. A simple hike, but quite interesting, is at Beartown SP. A boardwalk goes through an area of huge boulders.

If you want to give up camping for a night in a caboose, you can take the Cass Railroad to an old railroad town. The train will drop you there and the caboose and area are entirely yours until you get picked up by the train the next morning. Would've to do that myself.

WV does a great job of promoting tourism and its state parks. Forget their exact motto, but it certainly is an outdoor state with lots to do. Have fun planning and ask any other questions you may have.