Planning a West Virginia Winter Getaway

If you’re looking to add a little adventure to your life in the cooler months, consider West Virginia — the perfect destination for outdoor adventure! Imagine cozying up by a nice fire after a fun-filled day of ATVing, hiking, or skiing (and those are just a few of the winter activities West Virginia has to offer).

This state’s beauty hasn’t been lost on me. I’ve admired the scenery while driving on the turnpike to get from North Carolina to the Midwest many times. This trip (sponsored by WV Tourism & Ashland Resort) was my first time truly exploring West Virginia and certainly won’t be my last.

In this post, I’m sharing my top recommendations for planning a West Virginia winter getaway. Winter in West Virginia is such a magical experience, and I hope you feel inspired to add this state to your bucket list after reading this post!

West Virginia Winter Getaway Travel Guide

West Virginia Winter Weather

If you’re wondering whether it snows in West Virginia, the answer is YES! January tends to be the snowiest month, but it’s not uncommon to see snow all the way into March or even April. Make sure to add West Virginia to your shortlist if you’re planning a winter getaway in hopes of seeing some snow.

Temperatures range from the 20s on the low-end to the 50s/60s on the high-end. That’s a pretty big gap, which is why it’s so important to pack layers. I was comfortable in leggings and a light jacket one day and then needed base layers and a down jacket the next day.

Read More: Road Trip Essentials

Where to Stay

Deciding where to stay can be one of the toughest decisions when planning a trip. I always want to select the “perfect” spot with all the best restaurants and activities. Unfortunately, that can be a hard thing to do when you’re venturing to a new destination for the first time. Believe me when I say that adventure lovers can’t go wrong with either of the resorts listed below!

Ashland Resort

Ashland Resort is located in southern West Virginia in a small town named Northfork. It’s roughly three hours from both Greensboro and Charlotte.

The resort, which offers several different types of lodging ranging from campsites to deluxe cottages, is renowned for its proximity to the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System. People from all over bring their ATVs and UTVs to trail ride in this area! I had the best time exploring some of the trails by UTV (more on that later).

P.S. – Adventures on the Gorge is another great option for lodging in West Virginia. The resort is located just north of New River Gorge National Park & Preserve in Lansing, West Virginia.

Things to Do

You’ll find that there’s no shortage of activities to enjoy in West Virginia during the cooler months. I’ve always been a huge fan of off-season travel. The best part? Most places tend to be far less crowded when it’s cold!

Hiking

Hiking in West Virginia during wintertime can be a lot of fun as long as you’re prepared! Check out this article for cold-weather hiking tips. As always, remember to pack the 10 Essentials and Leave No Trace.

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

Spending a little time in America’s newest national park is a must when in West Virginia! New River Gorge National Park & Preserve became a national park on December 27th, 2020. Fun fact: The New River runs through North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia.

When it comes to hiking in New River Gorge, you have TONS of options! Long Point Trail is one of my favorites. It’s a beautiful hike with lots of signage that explains the history and vegetation. The views of New River Gorge Bridge at the end are jaw dropping!

Some other highlights include Endless Wall Trail, Grandview Rim Trail, and Canyon Rim Overlook Boardwalk.

Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory

This list wouldn’t be complete without my favorite hike in West Virginia: Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory. A 2-mile, moderately difficult out and back trail leads you to this stunning observation tower.

Go inside the tower to warm back up and take in the incredible mountain views! As you look around, you’ll notice a fake owl that has been strategically placed to attract migrating birds such as raptors, hawks, eagles, falcons, and osprey. Make sure to check out the bird sighting log within the fire tower.

If you plan to hike this trail during wintertime, pack traction for your shoes! There are a few steep inclines that will be extremely difficult to climb if you’re slipping and sliding on snow or ice. It’s better to have spikes and not need them than the other way around.

Pipestem Resort State Park

West Virginia has so many incredible state parks — 35 to be exact! Pipestem Resort State Park contains 20 different hiking trails, which range from easy nature walks to more challenging hikes.

I recommend checking out Pipestem Knob Trail — a 0.2 mile, kid-friendly stroll that leads you to a beautiful observation tower named Bolar Lookout Tower. The panoramic mountain views from the tower are absolutely stunning. Try to catch either a sunrise or sunset here if you can work it into your itinerary!

Camp Creek State Park and Pinnacle Rock State Park are a few other state parks to check out in the area!

Bramwell Historic District

There is history to be found all over West Virginia. Taking advantage of the state’s museums and landmarks is a great way to warm up after spending time exploring outside! Did you know that no city in West Virginia has a population of over 50,000 people? The state’s charming small towns are one of its greatest features!

Bramwell is no exception. This city is known for its historic Victorian and Tudor style mansions that were once owned by wealthy coal barons. In fact, Bramwell had the largest number of millionaires per capita of any town in America in the late 1800s. A Christmas tour of historic Bramwell is one of the best things to do in West Virginia if you visit in December!

ATV & Off-roading

West Virginia is home to over 1,000 miles of trails for off-roading. The Hatfield-McCoy Trail System is one of the largest trail systems on the East Coast and contains a wide variety of off-roading options for all skill levels. As you can see, we got a little muddy on the trails. It was 100% worth it, though! I had such a blast UTVing for the first time — I absolutely recommend giving it a try if you’ve never been!

P.S. – Stop by the Corner Shop in Bramwell, WV if you work up an appetite while you’re out on the trails. Trust me when I say that you should do yourself a big ol’ favor and order one of their milkshakes. Add a pepperoni roll to your order if you really want to embrace West Virginia’s history! Pepperoni rolls were a go-to for coal miners while on the job.

Tip: You can rent UTVs and obtain trail permits from the Ashland Company Store located just outside of Ashland Resort. The company store also sells essential items like riding gloves, helmets, and so forth.

Skiing

Winterplace Ski Resort is the southernmost place to ski in West Virginia. It’s also West Virginia’s largest snow tubing park! The resort is known for its friendly staff and awesome trails. There are plenty of beginner and family-friendly options.

If you end up staying in an area where Winterplace isn’t easily accessible, consider Snowshoe Mountain, Canaan Valley Ski Resort, or Timberline Mountain as alternative options.

Have you ever explored West Virginia? If not, consider a winter trip to West Virginia for your next getaway! I look forward to my next trip to explore more of the state’s hidden gems.