Plan A Back-to-School Getaway To Pocahontas County 

Squeeze in one more family trip before the school year begins! From outdoor adventures and educational activities to kid-friendly dining and places to stay, here’s everything you need to plan the perfect back-to-school getaway to Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Pick Your Adventures 

Take advantage of the warm weather and spend quality time together outdoors.

Take A Hike 

With more than 800 miles of trails, Pocahontas County offers plenty of family-friendly hiking opportunities. Explore the Monongahela National Forest, including the Falls of Hills Creek. This easy roadside hike features three cascading waterfalls along a scenic three-quarter-mile trail.

For a one-of-a-kind adventure, stroll the half-mile boardwalk at Beartown State Park. Wander through ancient rock formations surrounded by massive boulders, overhanging cliffs and narrow crevices.

Visit West Virginia’s largest state park, Watoga State Park, and choose a route that fits your family’s pace from more than 40 miles of trails. Stroll the mostly level, 1.5-mile Lake Trail around Watoga Lake, or take a walk along the 4.5-mile Brooks Memorial Arboretum Trail through a forest filled with native plants and wildflowers.

Bike Scenic Rail Trails 

Rail trails offer the perfect opportunity to slow down and take in the scenery. Bike the Greenbrier River Trail, a 78-mile rail trail that follows the winding Greenbrier River through some of the state’s most secluded areas. The trail passes through several small towns, crosses 35 bridges and travels through two tunnels. With a packed gravel surface and a grade of less than one percent, it’s an excellent option for families. 

Trail Alert: Before heading out, check the latest Greenbrier River Trail alerts, as sections of the trail may be closed due to an ongoing bridge redecking project. As of August 3, the section between Clover Lick (MM71.07) and Cass is closed. All other sections south of Clover Lick are open.

Another great option is the West Fork Trail, a 22-mile rail trail stretching from Durbin to Glady in Randolph County. Following the West Fork of the Greenbrier River through the Monongahela National Forest, its gentle grade and crushed-limestone surface make it an ideal choice for riders of all ages. 

Ride The Rails 

Ride through history at Cass Scenic Railroad State Park aboard an authentic steam-driven locomotive. As home to the last and largest remaining Shay locomotive ever built, the park preserves the legacy of West Virginia’s historic logging industry.

Choose from three excursions that leave from the Cass Depot, climbing steep grades and winding through the original logging railroad. Travel to one of the state’s highest peaks while enjoying panoramic mountain views and the fresh breeze from the open-air cars.

Learn Something New 

Turn your getaway into a fun learning experience before the kids head back to the classroom.

Discover Our Local Ecosystem 

Visit the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center to learn about the unique ecology of the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area. The center offers live programs on poisonous and nonpoisonous snakes of West Virginia as well as an exhibit hall on forest ecosystems and local history. 

Afterward, explore the Cranberry Glades Boardwalk, a half-mile accessible trail open year-round for self-guided visits and scheduled guided tours. This rare 750-acre ecosystem of cool, misty bogs resembles the wetlands of Canada’s northern tundra.

Learn About The Universe

For an out-of-this-world experience, spend a day at the Green Bank Observatory. Located within the National Radio Quiet Zone, it is home to the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope (GBT), the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope.

Take a guided tour of the observatory, or explore on your own with the self-guided walking tour. Be sure to stop by the Green Bank Science Center to view interactive exhibits for all ages. 

Celebrate A Literary Legend

Learn about Pulitzer Prize-winning author, activist and humanitarian Pearl S. Buck at her birthplace museum in Hillsboro. Buck won the Pulitzer Prize for “The Good Earth” in 1932 and became the first American woman to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1938.

Today, her birthplace has been preserved as a museum featuring personal artifacts, photographs and exhibits that celebrate her remarkable life and legacy.

Step Back In Time

Explore the site of the last major Civil War battle fought in West Virginia at Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park. Begin your visit at the museum and explore exhibits that highlight local history, the Battle of Droop Mountain and Civil War artifacts. Then, hike one of the park’s eight trails before climbing the lookout tower for sweeping views of the valley below.

Cool Off With A Sweet Treat 

Nothing says summer quite like an ice cream stop after a day of adventure. Grab a scoop at one of these local favorites:

Don’t forget about dinner! Find plenty of local restaurants serving meals the whole family will enjoy.

Find A Place To Stay

After a full day of exploring, relax in a cozy cabin tucked into the mountains, unwind at a charming inn or bed-and-breakfast or gather around a campfire and spend the night under the stars at one of the area’s scenic campgrounds.

Plan Your Trip

Ready for one last summer adventure? Request your free Adventure Guide and start planning your family getaway to Pocahontas County now!

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