Valley Falls via Rocky and Rhododendron Trail

A former lumber and gristmill community, Valley Falls State Park offers one of the most accessible--and massive--waterfalls in WV. Just a few dozen yards from the parking lot, you'll find the park's namesake (and probably a lot of people, engagement photoshoots, and just general mayhem). But if you hike the Rhododendron Trail as it follows the Tygart River and then Glady Creek, you'll find the ...

The Coopers Rock Overlook is the crown jewel of Coopers Rock State Forest. The name is derived from a legend about a fugitive who hid near the overlook to elude capture. He was a cooper by trade and continued to make and sell barrels to the local communities to support himself while living in the woods. The overlook and the surrounding area was developed through the work of the Civilian Conserv...

The Raven’s Rock Trail leading to the Raven’s Rock Overlook is easily the second most photographed area of the Coopers Rock State Forest! There are two ways to access the trail which doubles as an access road. The first trail access can be found along the WV County Road 73/16 also known as Coopers Rock Road. The parking lot will be on the right side of Coopers Rock Road and the trailhead/acces...

Across the road from the McCollum camping area entrance of Coopers Rock sits the entry point of the Clay Run Trail. With a hiking distance of 1.8 miles (1 hour and 10 minute walking time), this adventure will lead you to a jaw-dropping landmark, the Henry Clay Furnace.Built between 1834 and 1836, the Henry Clay Furnace sits at 30 feet high, much larger than most anticipate it to be. This unique...

Cathedral Trail is a part of Cathedral State Park located east of Aurora, WV. Cathedral State Park was originally the site of Brookside Resort which attracted visitors from Washington D.C. and Baltimore, MD due to it’s cool clean air and natural beauty. The land was purchased in 1922 by Mr. Branson Haas, a workman for the Brookside Resort. Then, in 1942, Mr. Haas sold the land to the state of W...

I began my adventure at the trailhead in Herrington Manor State Park. The parking lot was empty and the trail was very easy to access. From start to finish this trail varies in the width of its path. For the first mile I had a lot of foot room, but as I went deeper into the forest, the trail turned to a single track. This transition happens multiple times throughout the trek.My favorite part of...