4 West Virginia Resorts to Stay at this Summer

Stonewall Resort | Roanoke 

Situated on 1,900 acres of land in the rolling hills of north-central West Virginia, Stonewall Resort in Lewis County provides a variety of offerings for those looking to enjoy some summer fun either on or off the water.

With activities ranging from an Arnold Palmer-designed golf course to on-site hiking and mountain biking trails to the 2,600-acre Stonewall Jackson Lake, the resort caters to budding outdoor enthusiasts, seasoned weekend adventurers and those simply looking to make a getaway in a wonderfully secluded part of West Virginia.

“The way I like to describe it is we are nestled in the mountains of West Virginia, and for the most part we are pretty untouched,” says Joseph Thomas, Stonewall Resort’s marketing manager.

Visitors hoping to do some on-the-water exploring can rent canoes, kayaks or stand-up paddleboards at Stonewall Resort’s on-site marina, while those seeking a little more horsepower can take a CraigCat Mini Powerboat for a run out on the lake.

“It is a mini speed boat, so to speak,” Thomas says, “just a little two-seater.”

Travelers looking for an afternoon adventure on dry land can explore more than 20 miles of hiking and biking trails, from the easy-rated 2-mile, out-and-back Chipmunk Point Hike to the more moderate 6.8-mile, out-and-back Hevener’s Orchard Trail.

Stonewall Resort’s overnight accommodations range from rooms in the lakefront Adirondack-style lodge to cottages and campground sites, all surrounded by the wild natural scenery for which the Mountain State is known.

“When you are looking out from the [lodge] windows, you are seeing untouched wilderness that is just truly natural to West Virginia,” Thomas says. 940 Resort Dr., Roanoke, West Virginia 26447, 304/269-7400, stonewallresort.com


Ace Adventure Resort | Oak Hill

Located in the heart of West Virginia’s storied rafting country near New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Ace Adventure Resort is best known for its guided whitewater adventures. But that’s just the beginning of what this southern West Virginia adventure park promises.

“We do a little bit of everything,” says operations manager Chris Carnefix, as he rattles off a list of what’s available. “Guided hiking, guided mountain biking tours, overnight camping trips, rock climbing adventures. We have zip line tours here on our property.”

A big draw, understandably, is the rafting, and although it may seem an outing most suited for seasoned rafters, Carnefix is quick to point out that Ace Adventure Resort can accommodate paddlers of all skills levels — from a first timer all the way up to the most experienced river riders.

“The big thing is realizing rafting is as wild or as mild as you want it to be,” he says.

Guides take rafters on five different sections of river that offer everything from Class I (easy) and Class II (moderate) rapids on the upper stretches of the New River to Class V rapids (extremely difficult) on the Upper Gauley River.

Travelers looking for a combination of land and water can book one of the resort’s multisport adventures. With over 35 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a day of tackling the terrain before spending the night at the resort’s riverside campground and then rafting the following day. Cabins can accommodate larger groups, and the on-site Lost Paddle American Bar and Grill is there when it’s time to grab a bite to eat. 1 Concho Rd., Oak Hill, West Virginia 25901, 800/787-3982, aceraft.com


Adventures on the Gorge Resort | Lansing

Perched above West Virginia’s New River and adjacent to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Adventures on the Gorge Resort has stayed true to its name since opening in 2007 by offering outdoor experiences against one of the state’s most incredible backdrops.

The resort’s director of reservations, guest services and group sales Chris Hayes says visitors have their choice of outdoor adventures, from cave tours and guided hikes to mountain biking and rock climbing to flatwater kayaking and whitewater rafting. Multiple whitewater rafting trips are available, but the most popular is the lower New River excursion, which is available in the spring, summer and fall.

“Just about anything that you can do in the outdoors, we have it here,” Hayes says. “The most popular adventure is whitewater rafting. I would say our second-most popular adventure is our two different zip-line courses.”

The TreeTops Zipline Canopy Tour is available to those as young as 10 years old who want to experience the thrill of soaring above the forest floor. 

“You are really in the canopy of the trees,” adds Hayes. “That one has 10 zip lines, five sky bridges and there is a short hike at the end to get back to base.”

The second zip line on the property is known as Gravity Ziplines and is open to ages 12 and older. That course has just six zip lines, but they are longer and faster including the nation’s longest and fastest zip line, the Adrena-line. Stretching 3,150 feet, it delivers speeds of up to 65 miles per hour.

With all that adventure, it only makes sense to make a weekend of it. On-site accommodations range from primitive tent camping all the way to deluxe cabins featuring hot tubs and heated towel racks for those who want to rough it in style. 219 County Route 60/5, Lansing, West Virginia 25862, 855/750-9185, adventuresonthegorge.com


Snowshoe Mountain Resort • Snowshoe

While Snowshoe Mountain Resort is one of the most popular skiing and snowboarding destinations in West Virginia, the past few years have seen the 11,000-acre resort increasing its offerings during the summer season.

While golf, hiking, canoeing and off-roading are all excellent options for summertime adventurers, mountain biking is one of the most popular summer activities at the park, which has a peak elevation of 4,848 feet.

“We have worked really hard during the past few years to kind of complete that progression curve so that [a] beginner rider is able to gain skills and then feel confident on those green level trails and then gradually move forward at their own pace,” says Evan Cole, bike park manager at Snowshoe Mountain Resort.

Accommodations here range from secluded cabins to the bustling Seneca Lodge, located in the heart of the resort’s dining and shopping offerings. Those looking for a more relaxed stay can enjoy shopping at the Snowshoe Village stores, yoga classes or a scenic lift ride for incredible views of the Allegheny Mountains.

Cole adds that although Snowshoe Mountain Resort’s trails have had a reputation in the past for being more on the extreme end of mountain biking, that is simply no longer the case. Bike rentals are available on-site, and it is not unusual to see beginning riders as young as five years old learning the ropes.

“That is kind of the big picture that we try to achieve here in the bike park,” he says. “Not just giving that experience to your advanced riders or even your intermediate riders, but making it a fun and achievable sport for all ages.” 10 Snowshoe Dr., Snowshoe, West Virginia 26209, 877/441-4386, snowshoemtn.com