Almost Heaven Swings
West Virginia Outside Journal
Hidden finds, itineraries and best-of guides to the places worth the drive — written from agency data rather than from other people's listicles.
Best of
The Best Hikes in West Virginia
Thirty West Virginia hikes worth the drive, from 400-foot overlook walks to the Dolly Sods traverse, with distances as the managing agencies publish them.
11 min read
Destination · New River Gorge
Things to Do in New River Gorge National Park
A complete guide to New River Gorge National Park: the best hikes, whitewater, climbing and overlooks, plus where to base yourself and when to come.
12 min read
Best of · New River Gorge
The Best Hikes in New River Gorge National Park
Fifteen New River Gorge hikes ranked by what you get for the effort, with NPS distances, parking notes, and the one classic trail that is closed until 2027.
10 min readBrowse by topic
Best of
The Best Hikes in West Virginia
Thirty West Virginia hikes worth the drive, from 400-foot overlook walks to the Dolly Sods traverse, with distances as the managing agencies publish them.
11 min read
Destination · New River Gorge
Things to Do in New River Gorge National Park
A complete guide to New River Gorge National Park: the best hikes, whitewater, climbing and overlooks, plus where to base yourself and when to come.
12 min read
Best of · New River Gorge
The Best Hikes in New River Gorge National Park
Fifteen New River Gorge hikes ranked by what you get for the effort, with NPS distances, parking notes, and the one classic trail that is closed until 2027.
10 min read
Best of
West Virginia Overlooks, Sorted by How Far You Walk
Every notable West Virginia overlook sorted by effort: drive-up terraces, 400-foot walks and full-day climbs, with gate hours and current closures.
9 min read
Best of
River Tubing in West Virginia
Where to go river tubing in West Virginia: the Greenbrier, Cacapon, Shenandoah and Cheat, with float lengths, outfitters, season and reaches to avoid.
9 min read · July
Best of
The Best Waterfalls in West Virginia
West Virginia's best waterfalls, from Blackwater Falls and Sandstone Falls to the Falls of Hills Creek, with access notes and the right season for full flow.
8 min read · April
Destination · Potomac Highlands
Hiking Dolly Sods
A practical guide to hiking Dolly Sods Wilderness: the main trails, route options, why it is navigationally serious, and how to reach Bear Rocks.
9 min read
Guide · New River Gorge
Gauley Season: A Complete Guide
Everything to know about Gauley Season in West Virginia: how the dam releases work, Upper versus Lower Gauley, minimum ages, when to book and what to expect.
8 min read · September
Destination · New River Gorge
Things to Do in Fayetteville, West Virginia
A local guide to Fayetteville, West Virginia: the best hikes and overlooks nearby, rafting and climbing outfitters, and why it is the best gorge base.
8 min read
Destination · Potomac Highlands
Things to Do in Davis and Thomas, West Virginia
A guide to Davis and Thomas, West Virginia: Blackwater Falls, Dolly Sods access, Canaan Valley skiing and two of the best small towns in Appalachia.
8 min read
Destination · Potomac Highlands
Blackwater Falls State Park
A complete guide to Blackwater Falls State Park: every waterfall and overlook, Lindy Point at sunset, the trails, lodging and the best season to visit.
8 min read · October
Best of
The Best Fishing Spots in West Virginia
Where to fish in West Virginia: trophy trout tailwaters, native brook trout streams, smallmouth rivers, muskie water and how stocking works.
10 min read · April
Best of
The Best Trout Streams in West Virginia
West Virginia's best trout water: the Elk River tailwater, wild brook trout headwaters, catch-and-release stretches and the spring stocking calendar.
8 min read · April
Guide
West Virginia Fall Foliage Guide
Where and when to see fall foliage in West Virginia: how color moves down in elevation, the best overlooks and drives, and why peak dates shift.
9 min read · October
Best of · Eastern Panhandle
The Best Hikes at Harpers Ferry
Every Harpers Ferry hike with official NPS distances and elevation gain: Maryland Heights, Loudoun Heights, Jefferson Rock, plus current closures.
8 min read
Destination · Eastern Panhandle
Things to Do in Harpers Ferry
A guide to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia: the historic Lower Town, the best hikes and overlooks, tubing and rafting, the Appalachian Trail and where to start.
8 min read
Destination · New River Gorge
Summersville Lake
A guide to Summersville Lake: the clearest water in West Virginia, cliff jumping, scuba, deep-water soloing, boating and the Gauley connection.
7 min read · July
Best of · Potomac Highlands
Skiing and Snowboarding in West Virginia
West Virginia ski resorts compared: Snowshoe, Timberline, Canaan Valley and White Grass, plus Nordic skiing, snow tubing and the snowiest corner of the state.
8 min read · February
Best of
The Best Mountain Biking in West Virginia
Where to mountain bike in West Virginia: the Arrowhead trails, Canaan and Snowshoe, Hatfield-McCoy, plus rail-trails and gravel in the highlands.
8 min read · June
Hidden finds
Hidden Gems in West Virginia
Twenty West Virginia places worth the detour that almost nobody visits: quiet state parks, unpublicised overlooks and the strangest short walk in the state.
9 min read
Itinerary · New River Gorge
A Perfect Weekend in the New River Gorge
A two-day New River Gorge itinerary that works: which hikes, which rafting section, where to eat and where to be at sunset, with drive times.
7 min read
Itinerary · Potomac Highlands
Three Days in the Potomac Highlands
A three-day Potomac Highlands itinerary: Blackwater Falls, Dolly Sods, Seneca Rocks and Spruce Knob, with realistic driving and the forest roads to respect.
8 min read
Destination · Greenbrier Valley
The Greenbrier River Trail
A guide to the Greenbrier River Trail: trailheads, camping, bikepacking it end to end, tubing alongside it, and the best sections for a day out.
8 min read
Destination · Southern Coalfields
The Hatfield-McCoy Trails
A guide to the Hatfield-McCoy Trails: the individual trail systems, permits, difficulty, ATV-friendly towns and how the network actually works.
8 min read
Best of
The Best Swimming Holes in West Virginia
West Virginia swimming holes and lake beaches worth the drive, from Summersville Lake to CCC-built Blue Bend, with honest notes on cliff jumping.
7 min read · July