If you are looking for beautiful foliage, breathtaking waterfalls, and the opportunity to check off a US National Park at the best time of year, we would highly recommend considering a West Virginia road trip in the Fall. In this guide, we will go over how you can make the most of 2-3 days in West Virginia. We went on this trip in mid-October, but just keep in mind that fall leaves will peak in different parts of the state at different times in the month of October. We encountered some areas where the leaves were at their peak and other areas where the leaves were just beginning to change. Autumn in West Virginia is stunning but unpredictable.

Day 1: Northern West Virginia

Seneca Rocks Trail

Seneca Rocks Trail is a very popular 3.6-mile moderate hike in the Northeastern quarter of West Virginia. It is extremely popular during the fall, so we recommend starting as early in the day as you are able. What is so fun about this trail is the rock scrambling at the top with incredible views of the valley below.

Spruce Knob

At 4,863 feet above sea level, Spruce Knob is West Virginia’s highest peak. There is an observation tower here providing visitors with a vantage point to enjoy the views. Unfortunately, there was no visibility when we went as it started off as a foggy & misty day. We did enjoy the drive up to the top though as we drove along windy roads with falling leaves in the breeze. There is an easy ½ mile Whispering Spruce Trail that circles the observation tower and has interpretive signs about the vegetation, geology, and animal life in the area.

Blackwater Falls State Park

Blackwater Falls State Park in Davis, West Virginia is not to be missed. There is so much to explore including multiple waterfalls and various overlooks. We recommend checking out Blackwater Falls and the lesser known Elakala Falls. Then drive along Blackwater Falls Road stopping at various overlooks along the way. This state park has outstanding views with overall minimal effort required.

Other Options in the Region: Canaan Valley Ski Resort Chair Lift, Bickle Knob Observation Tower, longer hike options in Dolly Sods Wilderness.

Day 2:

Sunrise at Bear Rocks Preserve

Sunrise might not have been what we hoped for, but Bear Rocks Preserve in Dolly Sods Wilderness feels like another world. There is an ecological diversity to the region caused by its unique geologic conditions as a high plateau in a generally cooler climate. The sandstone rocks along the cliffs have been sculpted by the wind and rain over the years. The area overlooks the east making sunrise a prime experience. If you are lucky that is! There are also hiking and backpacking options in Dolly Sods Wilderness to explore including Blackbird Knob. KEEP IN MIND: you do have to navigate a winding gravel road in order to reach Bear Rocks Preserve, so plan accordingly!

Drive to New River Gorge National Park (about 3 hours)

Canyon Rim Boardwalk

Even though New River Gorge National Park is the newest US National Park, the New River in the park is one of the oldest rivers in the world. Start your time here with a stop at Canyon Rim Visitor Center, where you will find a ½ mile boardwalk with close up views of the New River Gorge Bridge.

Endless Wall Trail

Endless Wall Trail is an easy 3-mile hike that gives you breathtaking views of rugged cliffs overlooking the whitewater rapids of the New River. We knew this trail would be nice, but we were blown away by the abundance of views along the different cliffs. Caution is recommended when approaching the cliff edges.

Grandview Overlook

End your day with a stop at Grandview Overlook. From this viewpoint, you can get a grasp of how windy the New River is as it cuts through the Appalachian Plateau.

Day 3

New River Gorge Bridge Walk

This is a MUST DO if you are in New River Gorge National Park. The Bridge Walk tour gives you stunning views of the New River from 851 feet above. The bridge is currently the longest single-span steel arch bridge in the United States and the third highest bridge in the country. Walking underneath the bridge gives you such unique vantage points of the gorge below. Make sure you plan in advance if you do want to take this tour as spots are limited and will sell out in advance, particularly for weekends in the fall.

Drive Fayette Station Road

This one-hundred-year-old road of hairpin turns winds down to the bottom of the gorge, across a narrow bridge, and up the other side. It is a one-way road that gives you more views of the New River Gorge Bridge from different unique angles.

Long Point Trail

This easy 3-mile trail gives you the best views of the entire span of the New River Gorge Bridge. The hike traverses through a relaxed forest trail leading to an impressive descent through rhododendron and mountain laurel. The final viewpoint is epic and a must-see if you visit New River Gorge National Park.

Babcock State Park

No fall trip to this region is complete without a stop at Babcock State Park. In fact, it is one of the most photographed spots in West Virginia. The fall foliage in combination with the aesthetic grist mill on the water is utter perfection.

If you have more time in & around New River Gorge National Park, you may want to consider viewing Sandstone Falls, visiting Hawks Nest State Park, or experiencing a jet boat/whitewater rafting tour. Additionally, every third Saturday in October, thousands of people gather on the New River Gorge Bridge for Bridge Day. It’s the largest single-day festival in West Virginia in which daredevils BASE jump into the gorge below. We did not choose to visit this weekend because we were looking to get away from crowds, but it does look like a fun event.

So there you have it! We were blown away by our time in West Virginia and we honestly wouldn’t mind going back in the future. In comparison to other Fall destinations in the same region such as Shenandoah National Park and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, we felt like West Virginia was a little more peaceful. Despite weather complications at times, we were able to make the most of our time here. Honestly, we were not expecting to see so many breathtaking views in such a short amount of time in the state of West Virginia.

The Ultimate Fall Bucket List Destination: West Virginia and New River Gorge National Park