7 Summer Destinations to Explore in West Virginia

Brush Creek Holl’r Mountain Coaster 
This attraction in Princeton promises thrills for adventure seekers or a pleasant glide through the trees for those who want to sit back and take in the scenery.  

West Virginia’s first mountain coaster opened in summer 2025, bringing with it opportunities for riders to speed through the Appalachian forest on a gravity-powered ride encompassing over 3,200 feet of track. The coalmine-themed Brush Creek Holl’r Mountain Coaster offers a journey through verdant nature during the summer months, winding down the metal track and curving around trees in a blur of wind and leaves.

The experience begins at the coaster station house where riders buckle into their carts. Each cart can hold up to two people. Then, they ascend the hillside. By using individual carts rather than trains, every visitor gets to experience the thrill of being at the front of a roller coaster.

“When you’re at the top, there are some really nice views where you can see probably 10 to 15 miles out into the mountains,” says Geoff Nordloh, owner of the Brush Creek Holl’r Mountain Coaster.

The carts are released individually down the track, and riders can control the speed of their descent by using the hand brakes. While some visitors glide along for the scenic views, others take the track as a challenge to reach high speeds and whip around the curves.

“Going full speed down the hill feels a lot faster than 27 miles an hour,” Nordloh says. “The turns are tight and the trees and foliage are pretty close to the track — not so close that you can touch them, of course — but that makes the ride feel pretty fast.”

At the gift shop back in the station house, riders can buy commemorative gear, snacks and a video of their experience taken by the recording system built into each cart. 116 Fuller Lane, Princeton, West Virginia 24739, 304/712-7055, brushcreekhollr.com

Stargazing Cabins at Coopers Rock State Forest
Some of the best night skies in the nation are found in West Virginia. Coopers Rock State Forest’s new cabins offer a front-row seat for stargazers. 

West Virginia boasts some of the clearest night skies in the nation, and travelers can experience the cosmos in sharp clarity with a stay in the new stargazing cabins at Coopers Rock State Forest. These modern cabins provide a year-round option for travelers to experience a stay in the forest from the comfort of a king-sized bed.

The A-frame cabins have received two Honor Awards from the American Institute of Architects for design excellence, and their sleek exterior exemplifies their modern craftsmanship. Inside, wooden walls under sloped roofs house a full kitchen, a living room and two bedrooms. The living space is contained to one side with expansive windows that frame the forest. With a back patio and lawn, each cabin provides ample privacy for guests to take in the mountain scenery. Additionally, a skylight lets in the sun during the day and views of the stars at night. Five of the 12 cabins are finished and open for booking, with king, queen and twin bed options available.

During the day, travelers can use the cabins as a home base for mountain biking, rock climbing or a hike along the Raven Rock Trail to catch the sunset at Coopers Rock Overlook, which is located just a short walk away from the cabins. As night falls over the forest, the sky shimmers to life in an array of constellations and draws those staying in the forest back to their accommodations to enjoy the view.

“Something that I think really sets these cabins apart is the high-powered telescopes that are available inside of each of them,” says Lauren Bodnar, public relations director for the West Virginia Department of Tourism. “You can connect them to your phone and take amazing dark-sky nighttime photography.” 61 County Line Dr., Bruceton Mills, West Virginia 26525, 304/594-1561, wvstateparks.com

Valley View Cabin Resort
This cabins-and-spa retreat is tucked high up in the Canaan Valley, offering those who stay a place to unplug, recharge and explore the beauty of West Virginia.  

Nestled in the highest mountain valley of its size east of the Mississippi River, Valley View Cabin Resort promises travelers a haven of rest and healing. Guests can stay in one- or two-bedroom, solar-powered luxury cabins complete with full kitchens and gas fireplaces. Each embodies one of five themes, from the emerald accents and stained wood of the Green With Envy cabins to the earthy tones of the Terracotta Pot cabins.

Nearly 1 million acres of public land surround the resort, and visitors have their pick of some of West Virginia’s most iconic parks and hundreds of miles of hiking trails. The Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge and State Park sits less than 3 miles west of the resort, with the Monongahela National Forest’s Dolly Sods Wilderness to the east and Blackwater Falls State Park to the north.

“We’re surrounded by opportunities for people to get outdoors,” says managing partner Chris Waters.

After a day of exploring the mountains, an evening spa experience rejuvenates and recharges even the most travel-weary hiker. The 9,000-square-foot, full-service Canaan
Valley Spa is located just a short walk away from the cabins.

“When you step into the spa, you have this feeling of rustic charm,” Waters says.

Visitors can get pedicures and manicures while taking in a view of the surrounding forest through large, paneled windows before heading to the mineral soaking tubs, halotherapy salt cave or massage rooms. With the addition of a fitness center and yoga studio, the spa balances wellness and relaxation. Back on the front porch of the cabin or in a private Jacuzzi hot tub, visitors can enjoy a view of the mountains, which rise 1,000 feet above the valley. 

“The topography of the mountains in this area is truly unique,” Waters says, “and draws people from all over.” 76 Aster Lane, Davis, West Virginia 26260, 304/403-2425, valleyviewcabinresort.com

Summersville Lake State Park
This lake is known for its sandstone cliffs, making it a picturesque place for adventure, whether on the water or along the shore.  

Glittering lake views and sandstone cliffs abound at Summersville Lake State Park, which runs parallel to the lakeshore and extends across 177 acres of hilly forest. Hikers and mountain bikers can explore West Virginia’s newest state park on the multi-use Pirates Cove Trail, which traverses a moderate 0.7-mile path into the forest and curves south to reach its namesake Pirates Cove, where a waterfall overlooks the lake. 

The lake transforms throughout the year, offering new views upon each visit. During the summer, West Virginia’s largest lake is filled with stunningly clear water that is held back by the Summersville Dam before it’s emptied into the Gauley River each September, creating six weeks of unparalleled whitewater rafting. The park also serves as a hub for rock climbers.  

“People have moved to West Virginia to be able to take advantage of the rock climbing opportunities at Summersville Lake,” says Lauren Bodnar, public relations director for the West Virginia Department of  Tourism.

Climbers Trail deviates from Pirates Cove Trail to take hikers farther into the park before descending to the lakeshore. From there, climbers can try their hand at scaling the cliffs and scrambling over scattered boulders, more of which become visible as the lake drains in the fall. Back at the park entrance, the newly opened Hughes Ferry Picnic Area is a perfect spot to take a break. 

Those not wanting to leave so soon can rent a tent- or RV-friendly campsite at the Deer Run Overlook or Joe Branch Campground to further immerse themselves in the natural beauty of Summersville. The park is conveniently located near New River Gorge National Park & Preserve to the south and the West Virginia state capital of Charleston to the west. 36 Park Rd., Summersville, West Virginia 26651, 681/355-0328, wvstateparks.com

Charleston Sternwheel Regatta
A tradition dating back to the early 1970s, this riverfront event that culminates in a boat race disappeared for over a decade until it was revived in 2022.  

A tradition in West Virginia’s state capital since 1971, the locally beloved Charleston Sternwheel Regatta runs July 2 through 5 in 2026, with wiener dog races, riverside professional wrestling, live music, shrimp gumbo and more than 30 classic stern-wheel boats.

“It’s a carnival, a concert and the river all in one,” says Jane Bostic, special project coordinator for the City of Charleston. “It was something that kept you on the river all day long. And then when the evening hours flowed, you had the music to carry you.”

The Sternwheel Regatta ended in 2009, but after a push from Charleston residents who wanted to see it return, Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin reinstated the event in 2022. It now has 240,000 people attending annually. For 2026, regatta organizers plan to host the largest fireworks show in the state’s history on the Fourth of  July. 

The children’s barbecue challenge sees young chefs compete using locally sourced ingredients, and the youth entrepreneurs’ market has a selection of homemade soaps, toys and jewelry to browse. For the funeral parade, bright and macabre costumed marchers fill the streets in a boisterous celebration of life and death. Free activities at the family fun zone include an acrobatics act, face painting and waterslides.

For those wanting to get out on the river, The Valley Gem, a stern-wheeler out of Ohio, hosts tours up and down the river during all four days of the festival. On the event’s final day, the stern-wheelers head up the Kanawha River and race back to downtown Charleston, cheered on by the crowds lining the riverbank.

“It’s a tremendous part of our history and a huge part of our future,” says Charleston chief of staff Matthew Sutton. As the locals say, “You gotta regatta!” Haddad Riverfront Park, 600 Kanawha Blvd., Charleston, West Virginia 25301, charlestonregatta.com  

Animal Encounters at the Oglebay Good Zoo
Explore the Oglebay Good Zoo along an immersive, three-quarter-mile loop that features 60 animal species. Whether riding the train, taking a golf cart tour of the zoo or striking out on foot, visitors can see rooting red river hogs, elegant white-naped cranes and energetic lemurs explore their habitats. In the kangaroo and wallaby walk-through, travelers can see over 20 marsupials within their habitat. Visitors can also book close-up encounters with a variety of animals, from ferrets to red pandas to kangaroos and even cheetahs (the latter are fed from behind protective barriers). For a slower-paced encounter, guests can hand-feed the Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth while learning about rainforest conservation. 465 Lodge Dr., Wheeling, West Virginia 26003, 304/243-4100, oglebay.com

Summer at Snowshoe Mountain Resort
Snowshoe Mountain Resort transforms into a paradise of mountain biking, hiking, mountainside golfing and music festivals starting Memorial Day and going well into October. From high-adrenaline downhill bike jumps to restful hammocks by the lake, the resort offers 11,000 acres of nature to visitors seeking both thrills and relaxation. Adventurers can bring their own mountain bikes or rent them, choosing from over 40 downhill and cross-country trails with difficulty levels ranging from beginner to expert. To explore the area in a less physically exerting manner, e-bike tours offer a change of pace along single-track mountain trails. Those booking a stay through the resort receive access to scenic lift rides, rock climbing and waterslides at the village and Shaver’s Lake. 10 Snowshoe Dr., Snowshoe, West Virginia 26209, 877/441-4386, snowshoemtn.com

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