Outdoor Lover's Getaway

West Virginia is the perfect getaway state for the adventure-lover. There are so many great outdoor adventure opportunities that you could stay forever. Below you will find an example itinerary for 2 very full days and 3 nights.

Arrive in southern West Virginia for an adventure of a lifetime. Choose a lodging facility from our list of hotels, cabins, bed and breakfasts and lodges and then get rested for your West Virginia adventure.

Day 1:

Breakfast at your lodging facility or on your own.

Head to the River with one of our professional river companies. Whether you are a young family or an adventure seeking group, the New River has full day trips on the Upper/Middle section for ages 6 and up and Lower section for ages 12 and up. One day trips normally last 6 hours and include lunch, equipment and shuttle to and from outfitters base camp.

Dine at one of the great dining facilities in the Fayette County area: Pies & Pints, Dirty Ernies, Smokey’s on the Gorge, Sedona Grille or Gumbos Cajun restaurant.

Back to your lodging facility for a good nights sleep . . . you’re going to need it!

Day 2:

Breakfast at your lodging facility or on your own.

Depart on a morning half day adventure:

Now it’s time to see the New River area from a different angle. Go horseback riding (min age around 8) or rock climbing (min age 6). These trips can also be arranged in different formats from 2 hour to full day trips. These are guided adventures and include all equipment. Half day trips are approx 4 hours.

For a great lunch in the Fayetteville area try Cathedral Café, Sedona Grille or Gumbos in the uptown area.

After lunch head to the Canyon Rim Visitors Center. The National Park Service Rangers are on hand to answer any questions about the area and you can walk through the museum of historical artifacts of the New River Gorge. Learn about the railroad and coal history and watch a short film on the construction of the New River Gorge Bridge.

Then it’s off on a hike! Two of the most popular hikes are listed below. The Rangers also have trail maps and a lot of great suggestions.

Long Point Trail a 1.6 mile moderate hiking trail. Best view of the Bridge. Rt. 19 to Rt. 16 S in Fayetteville to Gatewood Road for 1.9 miles, turn left on Newton Rd. Parking within 50 yards on left to trail head.

Thurmond Minden Trail (Mary Ingles Trail) 3.2 miles, easy hiking/biking trail. Great trail, scenic views Rt. 19 Glen Jean Exit take an immediate left go .05 miles turn right and follow signs to Thurmond Rt. 25. Trailhead is on left 5.1 miles

Dinner in the area. Treat yourself at Dominic’s in Summersville or The Char or Pasquale’s in the Beckley area.

Return to your lodging facility for you last night in the West Virginia Mountains.

Adventure itineraries like these can be booked as packages through one of our whitewater outfitters. They can arrange lodging, meals and the outdoor activities of your choice with one phone call and can arrange for it all to be in one convenient invoice.

These itineraries have been submitted by Southern West Virginia Convention & Visitor’s Bureau and local marketing organizations in West Virginia to serve as suggestions on how you can begin to plan your next great vacation in Southern West Virginia. We encourage you to contact the individual attractions, lodging facilities and restaurants for further information and additional sites to see and services in their areas.