West Virginia

A great many visitors to the Mountain State tend to be fans of the great outdoors, and with all the mountains and hills to be found in West Virginia, there’s enough to keep them coming back time and again. The mountainous terrain, combined with the lakes, rivers and streams, conspire to present a serene natural landscape that’s truly one of Mother Nature’s living masterpieces.
The town of Sutton is your first stop, and you’ll see that it has a quaint, classic style that’s remained largely unchanged since the 30s. The town’s relatively small population (just over 1,000) is warm and friendly, and the surrounding wooded areas are great places to set up camp and spend some time in the living definition of peace and quiet.
Head south on the I-19 for 32 miles to Summersville, which is a dream destination for the lover of the outdoors. Summersville Lake is a huge body of water, covering more than 28,000 acres and 60 miles of shoreline. The odds are you won’t have to try very hard to find a secluded spot by the water. There are ample places from which to launch a boat, and unpaved hiking trails are plentiful, and run from easy to challenging.
Twenty miles further south on the I-19, Fayetteville is perched on the rim of the 800-foot deep New River Gorge. The river flows beneath the second largest steel bridge in the world, and Fayetteville offers rafting cruises that take you downriver through some truly remarkable woodlands. There are several great spots to drop a rod and reel in the water, or maybe you’d rather glide downriver in a kayak or canoe. Take a trip through the historic downtown area, with several specialty shops and unique restaurants just waiting to be explored.
Beckley is just 21 miles further south on the I-19, and continues the tradition of wide expanses of farmland and rolling green hillsides. There are many things to see in the area, chief among them is the Exhibition Coal Mine, which serves as a living museum, telling the story of coal mining before its modernization. Another living history display is a reenactment of the long-standing “Hatfield-McCoy” feud, immortalized in story, song, and film. Of course, Beckley has more rafting and camping opportunities just waiting to be taken advantage of.
The final destination city of Princeton is south of Beckley, accessed by taking the I-77 for 33 miles into the city limits. This is a truly RV-friendly destination, with parks and plenty of opportunity to hike or just kick back with nature’s pleasures. For the baseball fan, be sure to visit Hunnicutt Field, the home of the Princeton Devil Rays. The field is a back-to-basics and charming way to enjoy a game of baseball, and the snack bar serves a variety of food and beverages just like a major stadium.
The Mountain State: an oasis of greenery and relaxation that will soothe your soul and ease your mind like no other place on earth.