Country roads are the best roads – in West Virginia, at least – which is why you’ll want to add this rural West Virginia road trip to some of the state’s best countryside hidden gems to your itinerary! With six stops in just over an hour of drive time, this WV road trip packs a punch (in terms of natural beauty and historic significance) without costing you a fortune in gas … which is yet another reason to love it.

1. Union
Union, WV 24983, USA
Rural Heritage Quilt Trail / Facebook
Any West Virginia road trip through the countryside should arguably start in Monroe County, somewhere along the Heritage Quilt Trail that surrounds Union, West Virginia. Green pastures, rolling hills, rugged mountains, old barns ... it doesn't get much more beautiful or peaceful than this!
2. Cooks Old Mill
Cooks Old Mill, WV-122, Greenville, WV 24945, USA
Kyle Dugger / Google Maps
Once you've driven some of Monroe County's backroads, point your car toward Cooks Old Mill in Greenville. This quiet, privately owned historical park is a beautiful, peaceful, picturesque place for a stroll and a break from your WV road trip.
3. John Henry Historical Park
John Henry Historical Park, 3262 State Route 3 and 12, Talcott, WV 24981, USA
Dave Bieri / NPS
Almost everyone in America has heard the legendary folk tale of John Henry, the man who raced a machine to tunnel through a mountain. But almost no one realizes that this fabled event is said to have taken place right here in West Virginia. This stop alone makes this route one of the best road trips near me in West Virginia.

Related Stories

Route 50 Runs Right Through West Virginia And It's A Beautiful Drive

Route 50 Runs Right Through West Virginia And It's A Beautiful Drive

 Take This Hidden Gems Road Trip When You Want To See Some Little-Known Places In West Virginia

Take This Hidden Gems Road Trip When You Want To See Some Little-Known Places In West Virginia

 Take This Gorgeous Fall Foliage Road Trip To See West Virginia Like Never Before

Take This Gorgeous Fall Foliage Road Trip To See West Virginia Like Never Before
4. Hinton Railroad Museum
Hinton Railroad Museum, 206 Temple St, Hinton, WV 25951, USA
Hinton Railroad Museum / Facebook
The least rural of all these rural road trip in West Virginia stops, the Hinton Railroad Museum represents the massive amount of miles of railroad track winding through even the most remote regions of West Virginia.
5. Historic Subsistence Farms
Richmond Hamilton Farm, Hinton, WV 25951, USA
Dave Bieri / NPS
Countryside hidden gems - they sound so idyllic, don't they? They are, but living in the remote back country in days gone by was also hard. Get a feel for that side of the story at two historic subsistence farms along the route to Sandstone Falls, the Trump-Lilly Farm and the Richmond-Hamilton Farm, both now part of the New River Gorge National Park.
6. Sandstone Falls
Sandstone Falls, West Virginia 25918, USA
Mike Baum / AllTrails
Sandstone Falls is the most famous of the hidden gems on our list, but it's still well worth a stop while you're in the area! Spanning the New River as it does, it's the Mountain State's widest waterfall. It's really a perfect spot to end this West Virginia road trip.
And there you have it, a short and sweet WV road trip packed with out of the way natural and historic treasures.
Google Maps

You know what they always say … “Country roads, take me home to the place I belong: West Virginia!” Map this road trip for yourself on Google Maps.

What are your picks for the best road trips near me in West Virginia? Tell us in the comments!

Now that you’ve got your road trip figured out, what about snacks? Check out our road trip snacks list!

Looking for more unique places for road trips in West Virginia? Take a look at these hidden gems in West Virginia.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

The Best Of West Virginia

Rachel Raimondi | December 15, 2023

Get outside and enjoy some of the best parks in West Virginia:

Beartown State Park: Located in Renick, this park is 110 acres. Enjoy the lovely boardwalk trail where you can take in boulders, unique rock formations, crevasses, and cliffs.

Cass Railroad Scenic State Park: This unique park is located in Cass. Here, you can explore original steam trains as well as ride them! You can also hike, bike, and fish at this 940-acre park.

Are there any historical sites in West Virginia?

A West Virginia road trip is a great way to see the state. Learn more by visiting some historical sites in West Virginia:

Grave Creek Mound Historical Site: You’ll find this archaeological landmark in Moundsville. See the 62-foot-tall Grave Creek Mound, which was made by the Adena people sometime between 250 and 150 BCE.

West Virginia State Museum: Dedicated to the state’s natural and cultural history, this museum is located in Charleston. Just some of the interesting exhibits here include those in relation to coal mines, Native Americans, and the Civil War. You can also check out the research library here.

What are the most scenic towns in West Virginia?

You'll get to see many towns on WV road trips. Here are a few more scenic towns in West Virginia:

Lewisburg: This Greenbrier County town was established back in 1782. This makes it a great spot to take in West Virginia history within the town center. Highlights include Carnegie Hall and the North House Museum. And be sure to visit Lost World Caverns.

New Martinsville: With a prime location on the Ohio River, this Wetzel town offers some stunning scenery. And the Downtown Historic District is also worthy of a visit, with its gorgeous buildings like the Wetzel County Courthouse and the New Martinsville City Building.

Related Articles