UPSHUR COUNTY, W.Va. – Pumpkin flavored goodies can be found in most stores and restaurants. The crisp morning breeze fills the air as hunters make their way into the woods. Pops of color paint the treelines across the Mountain State. It’s that time of year again…fall.
Oftentimes during the autumn months, my loved ones and I would hop in the car on a weekend with one task in mind, exploration. There are so many breathtaking views across West Virginia I have yet to witness. With 36 state parks, nine state forests, one national forest and two national recreation areas, there is much to the state – whom I love and call home – I have left untapped.
John Denver’s 1998 GRAMMY Hall of Fame song “Take Me Home, Country Roads” paints a beautiful image of life as a West Virginian. As this song is played across the globe – whether those listeners have been to Almost Heaven – the lyrics are sung with great passion and pride.
Join me in driving on West Virginia’s famous country roads in search of an experience like no other. Keep your eyes open, you don’t want to miss a thing!
Before you get on the road, know that West Virginia Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby offers a warm welcome to West Virginia residents and visitors throughout the season.
“Fall in Almost Heaven is a sight to behold,” said West Virginia Tourism Secretary, Chelsea Ruby. “When our hills come alive with vibrant hues of red, yellow and orange, there’s no better time to travel our famous country roads, explore our 1.5 million acres of parks and public lands, hike to a waterfall along the West Virginia Waterfall Trail, or attend a fair or festival. There’s so much to see and do in West Virginia in all four seasons, but fall is truly special.”
Check out this list of five must-see destinations I hold dear to my heart: Audra State Park, Blackwater Falls State Park, Coopers Rock State Forest, Monongahela National Forests’ Dolly Sods Wilderness Area and Seneca Rocks.
Audra State Park is a wooded area intersected by the Middle Fork River. The park stretches into parts of both Upshur and Barbour Counties. The Middle Fork River offers visitors an opportunity for fishing, swimming, and kayaking. Lace up your favorite hiking boots for a trek through the 2.7 mile Alum Creek and Cave Trail. Beautiful rhododendron thickets and varieties of trees line the trail, transforming the hike into a fall escape from the hussle and bussle of everyday life.
Visitors of the park are encouraged to stop for a picnic, go for a hike on the boardwalks or simply listen to the Middle Fork River flow over rocks, creating a picturesque waterfall.
The fall foliage is projected to be vibrant in this area from the end of September to the beginning of October.
Can’t get enough of what you see at this park? Book a tranquil campsite at Audra State Park. Learn more about Audra State Park on the WV State Parks website.
Tucked into the Allegheny Mountains of Davis, West Virginia, visitors can lay their eyes on the magnificent Blackwater Falls State Park. Visitors can take the steps down to the falls for a closer look or enjoy the view from various scenic overlooks throughout the park. Visitors are often left speechless at the first sight of the 57-foot waterfall. With 20 miles of beautiful hiking trails, there is much to see.
The drive down to Davis is a unique experience, all on its own, as the leaves change color. Load the car with your friends, favorite playlist, road trip snacks and your hiking boots for an experience you all will never forget.
The fall foliage is projected to be vibrant in this area from the beginning to the middle of October.
Can’t get enough of what you see at this park? Visitors of the park are sure encouraged to book a cabin, campsite, a room in the Blackwater Falls State Park Lodge or a unique Tentrr Campsite. Learn more about Blackwater Falls State Park on the WV State Parks website.
Located just off of I-68 in Bruceton Mills, West Virginia, Coopers Rock State Forest is home to scenic overlooks, sandstone cliffs for rock climbing, 50 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking, picnic areas and more.
As my personal favorite lookout spot over the Cheat River, check out the Ravens Rock Trail. As a moderate level, 1.5 mile hike, the view is well worth the trek.
The fall foliage is projected to be vibrant in this area from the end of September to the beginning of October.
Can’t get enough of what you see at this forest? Visitors are sure encouraged to book one of 50 traditional campsites or a unique Tentrr Campsite. Learn more about Coopers Rock State Forest on the WV State Parks website.
The Monongahela National Forest’s own Dolly Sods Wilderness area stretches across Grant, Randolph and Tucker Counties. Did you know that elevations of this wilderness area range from 2,500 to 4,700 feet above sea level? Me neither! Thus, this high elevation creates an abundance of overlook vantage points to take in the view below.
The Dolly Sods Picnic Area allows families to rest, recharge and take photos. Visitors are encouraged to fill a backpack with hiking essentials, call your friends and make the trip to this serene wilderness area for 47 miles of hiking trails. But first, get familiar with the trail map!
The fall foliage is projected to be vibrant in this area from early- to mid-October.
Can’t get enough of what you see at this wilderness area? Campsites are available at the Red Creek Campground. Learn more about Dolly Sods Wilderness Area on the USDA website.
This interesting rock formation – named Seneca Rocks – stands 900 feet tall, above the North Fork River at the intersection of Route 33 and Route 55. The 1.3 mile Seneca Rocks Hiking Trail can be steep at some points, but is well worth the trek. Hikers can breathe in the crisp mountain breeze at 700 feet elevation at the Seneca Rocks Observation Platform.
Also, visit the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center to learn more about the rock formation. Across the street from the Discovery Center, my family and I always stop at Harper’s Old Country Store to shop for Seneca Rocks souvenirs!
The fall foliage is projected to be vibrant in this area from the early to the middle of October.
Can’t get enough of what you see at this forest? Visitors of Seneca Rocks are sure encouraged to book a campsite at Seneca Shadows Campground. Many sites have a view of the 900 foot rock formation. Learn more about Monongahela State Forest – Seneca Rocks on the USDA website.
Book a cabin or campsite. Visit a fair or festival. Hunt, shop or explore. There’s so much to see and do in West Virginia this fall! See for yourself in Almost Heaven, West Virginia.
Visit the West Virginia Tourism website to learn more about fall among the hills of the Mountain State. Follow WV Tourism on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for frequent fall foliage updates. Share your fall leaf color photos by using #AlmostHeaven on all social media platforms.
Visit the WV State Parks website to learn more about the 36 state parks in our state. Follow WV State Parks on Facebook and Instagram for updates on your favorite state park destinations all year long!
