There’s good reason Blackwater Falls State Park is the most visited park in West Virginia. Accessible overlooks offer panoramic views of the 62-foot majestic falls where water tumbles over rocky outcrops to the tannic pools below. The falls borrow their name from the stained water that leaches acid from the abundant hemlock and red spruce needles.

Drive ten miles north of Canaan Valley Ski Resort, and you’ll happen upon Davis, WV, a pint-sized town with a ten-gallon personality. With a population of only 660 residents, you might even call Davis a tiny town. In recent years it has become a haven of outdoor enthusiasts hailing from cities like D.C., Pittsburgh, and Baltimore.

The Monongahela National Forest Since 1920, some of West Virginia’s most diverse and pristine forest land has been protected within the boundaries of the Monongahela

Dolly Sods Wilderness, spanning 17,371 acres across Grant, Randolph and Tucker counties, is the highest plateau east of the Mississippi River and one of the most unique areas of West Virginia. Indeed, the ecosystem that exists at Dolly Sods is so rare the area is designated as a federally managed National Wilderness Preservation System.

It may be a little-known fact outside the state, but West Virginia’s state park system is among the best in the nation. Far beyond scenic overlooks and picnic shelters, our state parks know how to show off the best parts of the Mountain State. Canaan Valley State Park and Resort is a case in point. 

The town of Thomas is a tiny town perched along the hillside rising from the north fork of the Blackwater River. Here rich, diverse history intersects a lively present-day infused with arts of all sorts. Just 2.5 hours from D.C., this little hideaway is a popular weekend destination for folks who want to escape the bustle of city life. Loved for its art galleries, live music, and culinary scene—you won’t find a chain restaurant here—Thomas strikes the perfect balance between remote and charming.