Simon, West Virginia

Right off interstate I-77, Camp Creek State Park has two waterfalls that you can easily access: Mash Fork Falls and Campbell Falls. These falls can both have very low flows in late summer, so try to plan your visit for times of higher flows (early spring or after a rain). Mash Fork Falls is in th...

Brush Creek Falls is a beautiful 25' waterfall that spans across Brush Creek. It is accessed via a short 0.5 mile hike with minimal elevation gain. From the parking area on Brush Creek Falls Road, take the trail to the right of the picnic shelter. This easy and relatively-flat trail through rhod...

This is a wonderfully easy hike to White Oak Falls. After visiting Bush Creek Falls, keep walking down the trail. You'll enter the Bush Creek Nature Preserve area. If you visit after heavy rains, please note that your feet will get wet. There are numerous cascades that come down and cross over t...

Breaks Interstate Park lies on the border of western Virginia and eastern Kentucky, and is known as the “Grand Canyon of the South”. This park surrounds a 5-mile long gorge created by the Russell Fork River, which lies 1650 feet below the park.Once you enter the park, stop at the first overlook o...

From the main parking lot at Grandview's visitor center, follow the well marked paved trail about 0.1 miles to the Main Overlook. There is a large platform for viewing the New River here. A wide angle lens is best to photograph this large bend in the river.  There is another overlook in the park...

There are several rafting companies all which offer pretty much the same half day rafting packages. Each include lunch, a raft, a guide and a trip back to your car when it’s all said and done. The water here is very warm and you can swim, cliff jump, and swim down a few rapids. Enjoy the scenery ...

Located just outside of Charleston the Kanawha State Forest is a great to experience West Virginia. This hike in particular gives you a taste of the mountains as well as a look into the deep history of coal in the area. This hike allows encounters with wildlife, as well as, blackberries for a goo...

Starting at the trailhead, follow signs for the falls. After a short walk, hikers will reach the walkway bridge where they can snap a couple shots of the minor Sandstone Falls to the right. Many hikers stop here, thinking these falls are the final destination. Do not make this mistake—the best is...

With minimal elevation gain, this 3.2 mile hike can be done in a short amount of time. From the parking lot, take the trail to the right of the bathroom. There will be two trail intersections at 0.4 miles and 0.7 miles, both of which are well marked. Stay straight at both intersections to remain ...

Kaymoor was on old West Virginia coal mining town that thrived in the early 1900's until it was abandoned in the 1950's. Along this trail you will see remnants of the old mine entrance, mining cars, a coal processing plant, and coke ovens, among other structures. This trail, although short, is qu...

Canyon Rim Overlook Boardwalk is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a river located near Lansing, West Virginia.

Since this waterfall is less than 200 feet from the parking lot, visiting this waterfall provides a huge reward for minimal physical effort. From the parking lot, cross the bridge over the stream and follow the trail on the right side of the stream/waterfall.  To have the best view of the falls c...

From the Fern Creek Trailhead this is a 2.0 mile out and back hike to Diamond Point. The trail is relatively flat with minimal elevation gain and has a bridge stream crossing. When you arrive at the sign stating "Climber's Access", take a short side trip here to see the views of the gorge. Contin...

Hawk's Nest State Park is a true gem in the New River Gorge area. It has a roadside overlook that looks out over a horseshoe bend of the New River with views of the Hawk's Nest Dam and of a railroad bridge across the river. From the parking area, simply walk about 200 feet out to the stone overlo...

Park in the boat ramp lot by Hawks Nest Lake. Note that the road to get down to this parking lot is a one lane (two-way traffic) steep gravel road, but it is passable with low-clearance vehicles.  From the parking area take the path towards the Hawks Nest Dam, also labeled the "Fisherman's Trail...

**The road to Nuttallburg is part gravel and only wide enough for one car. Take caution driving along this road-you may have to back up some if you meet another car. Nuttallburg is an old coal mining town that once thrived in the early 1900's, but fell into ruin and then was restored by the Natio...