Southern West Virginia
THINGS TO DO
Southern West Virginia was seemingly made for enjoying the outdoors and is perfect for ATV and skiing enthusiasts alike , with the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System and Snowshoe Mountain Resort . The iconic New River Gorge , America ’ s newest national park , is full of scenic beauty , overlooks and nature trails . The New River offers whitewater rafting and kayaking , and so does Bluestone Lake , part of Bluestone State Park .
Photo by Adventures on the Gorge .
Photo by The Greenbrier Resort .
Photo by Hatfeild McCoy Trails .
With a history of hard-working residents and an industry that built the Mountain State , Southern West Virginia is looking to the future . Offering perhaps some of the most iconic and well-known destinations of the state , including The Greenbrier Resort and the New River Gorge Bridge , Southern West Virginia now boasts a new industry : tourism .
With several higher education options , including Bluefield State College , Concord University , New River Community and Technical College , Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College , West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and WVU Tech , finding a career is easy , especially within the beauty and rich nature of the region . With six airports — two commercial and four general aviation — in the area , traveling and recreational flying are not out of reach .
Southern West Virginia is home to other notable attractions , too , such as Tamarack , Winterplace Ski Resort , Bluestone State Park and Snowshoe Mountain Resort . Three Rivers Avian Center and the Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory are perfect for birders and animal and nature lovers alike . The Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine and the Upper Big Branch Miners Memorial teach visitors about the state ’ s coal mining history . Visitors to Cranberry Glades , in Pocahontas County , can see bogs similar to those in the Arctic Tundra and view many of the birds , animals and plants of the area .
The Hatfield-McCoy Trail System is one of the area ’ s largest economic supporters , and it is only continuing to grow and enhance the region by bringing in tourists and attracting new residents . Also known as Trails Heaven , this system is made up or more than 800 miles of trails that are open year-round for ATVs . Opportunities for skiing , whitewater rafting and rappelling / rock climbing are also available in abundance .
CITIES :
Photo by Snowshoe Mountain Resort .
Beckley , Bluefield , Princeton , Snowshoe , Chapmanville , Logan & Madison
Charlotte , NC 3 HOURS
Blacksburg , VA 2.5 HOURS
Charlottesville , VA 3 HOURS
Roanoke , VA 2.5 HOURS
WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE