15 Incredible Natural Wonders In West Virginia That Defy Explanation

Location: Glen Jean, WV

Wow Factor: The deepest and longest gorge in the Appalachian Mountains

Cost: Free

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve comprises over 70,000 acres along 53 miles of the New River, which is one of the oldest on Earth. The canyon’s maximum depth is 1,600 feet. Many creatures and plants make their home in the park’s diverse habitats, including several endangered species. It also attracts visitors for its many recreational opportunities, from hiking, rock climbing, and biking on land to canoeing, fishing, and whitewater rafting on water. You’ll find challenging Class III to Class V rapids on the lower part of the river and somewhat less difficult Class I to III rapids along the upper section.

Location: Romney, WV

Wow Factor: Dazzling scenery that's home to many bald eagles

Cost: Train standard coach rates start at $40 for ages 2 through 16 and $70 for ages 17-59. Outfitter fees for water trips start at $55 for a kayak and $90 for a canoe. Check websites for full details.

The South Branch Potomac River created this gorge that runs six miles through the Allegheny Mountains. George Washington named it The Trough during a 1748 surveying expedition. Seven years after it made its impression on Washington, The Trough was the site of a violent conflict between Anglo-American settlers and Native American Shawnee warriors. Today, people can take in the natural beauty and see bald eagles soar as they ride through The Trough on the Potomac Eagle train. Others opt to take directly to the water, canoeing or kayaking. People can choose among several paddle or float trips through Calleva Trough Outfitters, which offers gear, guidance, and shuttle service.

Location: Lewisburg, WV

Wow Factor: Stalagmites up to 80 feet tall and the supposed home of Bat Boy

Cost: $12 for adults; $6 for children; free for small children

Take a 45-minute, half-mile walking tour of this commercial cave that was discovered in 1942. The formations are the show-stoppers and include a 30-ton stalactite called The Snowy Chandelier, which some say is one of the largest in America. Another, the War Club, is the 28-foot stalagmite that then-cave manager Bob Addis stayed on for 15 days, 23 hours, and 22 minutes. Why? To make the Guinness Book of World Records for "stalagmite-sitting" in 1971. Twenty years later, the supermarket tabloid Weekly World News claimed a creature named Bat Boy's origin story began here. You can go see for yourself. The caverns have over 6,000 feet of passages, only about 10 percent of which you'll see on the regular tour. And still, what meets the eye is astounding, especially in the great room that is over 300 feet long, 50 feet wide, and 50 feet tall.

Location: Riverton, WV

Wow Factor: The largest flowstone formation in the state

Cost: Standard cave tour rates are $15 for ages 13 and older, $10 for ages 5 to 12, and free for ages 4 and younger.

The limestone of Seneca Caverns dates back to around 450 million years ago, with the cave having formed about 4.5 million years ago. Its earliest known inhabitants were Seneca Indians who used the cave in the early 1400s. In 1742, a man named Laven Teter came across the cave when seeking water for his livestock. The property stayed in his family until 1928, when it was purchased and opened to the public as a show cave. On tours, guests descend 165 feet underground to see the cave's many stunning rock formations – or speleothems – such as draperies, cave bacon, rimstone pools, and ribbon stalactites. It also has the largest flowstone formation in West Virginia.

Location: Ronceverte, WV

Wow Factor: The second longest commercial cave on the East Coast and source of the official state fossil

Cost: Closed for renovations as of late 2023

Ever wonder where the first prehistoric, giant ground sloth fossil was found? In Greenbrier County's Organ Cave. And since Thomas Jefferson officially identified it, the fossil is named for him. It's called the "Megalonyx jeffersonii" and is the state's official fossil. During the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War, the cave was mined for saltpeter to be used in gunpowder. Early settler and surveyor Col. John Stuart found the fossil bones and corresponded with Jefferson about them, and the rest is history. The cave is a National Natural Landmark and is a site on the West Virginia Civil War Trails.

Location: Davis, WV

Wow Factor: Waterfall and gorge views

Cost: Free

Blackwater Falls State Park has been named the best in West Virginia for its good looks and sparkling personality. Blackwater Falls gets much of the credit for that. As the 57-footer rushes into the gorge, you'll see the dark streaks of amber for which the river, falls, and park are named. The color comes from the tannins produced when the surrounding trees' needles decompose. Other must-see nature spots here include Lindy Point, Elakala Falls, and Pendleton Point Overlook. The park, which is located in the Allegheny Mountains of Tucker County, has a restaurant, a disc golf course, a sled run (the longest on the East Coast), and more than 20 popular trails. It also offers several options for overnight stays, from traditional camping and cabins to luxury Tentrr tent sites or a lodge with hotel amenities.

Location: Sandstone, WV

Wow Factor: Largest waterfall on the New River

Cost: Free

It takes a brief, quarter-mile walk to reach Sandstone Falls within the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The path to the falls is a fun little journey of its own, and it's totally worth it to see one of the state's most-visited natural wonders. Also known as the Great Falls of the New River, the waterfall spans 1,500 feet across and drops from 10 to 15 feet. The boardwalk path is handicapped accessible and passes through an area of rare plants, over bridges, and to various viewing areas for the falls.

Location: Pocahontas County

Wow Factor: Awe-inspiring overlooks

Cost: Free

While many know Pocahontas County for its popular ski resort, Snowshoe Mountain, fewer know this county is the headwaters for eight rivers: Cherry, Cranberry, Elk, Gauley, Greenbrier, Tygart Valley, Williams, and Shavers Fork of the Cheat. For stunning views over this lush landscape, head to the Highland Scenic Highway in the Cranberry Wilderness area of the Monongahela National Forest. The Williams River Overlook is just one example of the scenery you'll see.

Location: Near Seneca Rocks, WV

Wow Factor: The highest peak in West Virginia

Cost: Free

At 4,863 feet, Spruce Knob is the highest point in the state. It's part of the 100,000-acre Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area of the Monongahela National Forest. You can drive up to the knob and enjoy the views from an observation tower atop the knob and a half-mile, easy trail that encircles it. Two campgrounds are close by, and there are more primitive camping opportunities for those who want to explore the over 60 miles of trails in the backcountry surrounding the peak.

Location: Harpers Ferry, WV

Wow Factor: Convergence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers

Cost: Standard park entrance passes range from $10 to $20

This 18th-century town has been called the most beautiful historic town in America. While its manmade architecture certainly contributes to that honor, it's truly the juxtaposition against the unique natural environment that seals the deal. As far back as 1783, Thomas Jefferson observed its unique beauty and later wrote about the convergence of the two rivers as "perhaps one of the most stupendous scenes in nature." And that's why it's one of West Virginia's natural wonders; you will not see another place like it. Part of the area is designated Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, so guests may tour the town and learn about its many historic events, some of which shaped the nation. The town has remained a significant site in African American history for it being the site of early abolitionist John Brown's raid of a US Armory, Arsenal and Rifle Factory in 1859.

Location: Seneca Rocks, WV

Wow Factor: Unrivaled views from below and above.

Cost: Free

Seneca Rocks, a striking formation in Monongahela National Forest, rises almost 900 feet above the confluence of Seneca Creek and the North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac River. Popular among rock climbers, it's a standout example of Eastern West Virginia's Tuscarora quartzite formations. A 2.6-mile, round-trip hike from the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center allows visitors to reach the summit – and the splendid views.

Location: North River Mills, WV

Wow Factor: A massive, natural refrigerator

Cost: Free

This one is more of an ice formation than a rock formation, or rather, ice and rock working together. Ice Mountain earns its name from what happens at its base, where cold air sinks and forms ice masses during cooler months. When warmer weather arrives, the mountain releases the cooler air through rocky vents at the icy base. Because of this, you'll find a range of plants you'd usually expect in much cooler climates in Canada. People can take guided visits allowing access to the 149-acre habitat. The Nature Conservancy oversees the property and asks that people book at least three weeks to a month in advance and limit groups to 15 or fewer participants.

Location: Near Canaan Valley, WV

Wow Factor: A variety of views and diverse habitats

Cost: Free

Dolly Sods Wilderness, part of the Monongahela National Forest in West Virginia, spans over 17,300 acres with almost 50 miles of hiking trails. The wilderness, featuring Red Creek drainage, showcases unique bog and heath ecosystems like those of southern Canada. Elevations from 2,600 to 4,000 feet offer breathtaking views. A unique feature of Dolly Sods is its location on the Allegheny Plateau along a ridge that forms part of the Eastern Continental Divide.

Location: Berkeley Springs

Wow Factor: America’s first hot springs spa

Cost: Free to use the outdoor spring-fed pools

Berkeley Springs, a premier hot spring in the US, dates back hundreds of years as a site for healing soaks in mineral waters. Lord Fairfax owned the property in the mid 1700s and ultimately granted it to the state in 1776. The springs have ties to important figures in the nation's history, including George Washington, who was a frequent visitor. The site today is a state park and welcomes visitors year-round to enjoy the waters, which remain at a constant temperature of 74.3 degrees.

Location: Hillsboro, WV

Wow Factor: Boreal bogs similar to those in Canada

Cost: Free

Cranberry Glades, a national natural landmark in the Allegheny Mountains, spans 750 acres at an elevation of 3,400 feet. It comprises five boreal bogs that give rise to a delightful mix of unusual plants, such as cranberries (of course!), sphagnum moss, carnivorous plants, and skunk cabbage. The Cranberry Glades Boardwalk trail allows visitors to see these landscapes up close. The glades are adjacent to the 47,815-acre Cranberry Wilderness.