1 or 2 days in West Virginia

[michigansandzil]

In April we'll be coming from Virginia back to Michigan. We're looking to spend a day or two in West Virginia simply because we've never visited that state yet.
Kids are 16, 14, and 10. We enjoy just about anything except art, shopping, and baseball.
Any suggestions on activities or places to stay?
We have a 35 foot camper. Electricity is a must.
Thanks.

[cartervan]

There are a few full service state parks open year around. Canaan Valley State Park has a beautiful campground right next to the golf course that is open year around. There are many things to see and do in that area--Blackwater Falls, Seneca Rocks...They can give you many ideas at the Canaan Valley Lodge. Stonewall Jackson Lake State Park is another one just off I 79 that is open year around. We love the area around Watoga State Park in the eastern part of the state with civil war sites, Pearl Buck house, Greenbank Radio Astronomy Oservatory, and don't miss "Bear Town" with a unique boardwalk trail. I'm not sure when Watoga opens in the spring. Pipestem is another state park that is open year around. It's just off I 64 at the southern end of the New River Gorge area.

[michigansandzil]

wvcampers wrote:
Lots of things to see and in WV, but not all campgrounds are open that early in the year. Do a good search to find one in the area that you decide to visit.

Yes, I'm having trouble finding one open. Do you have any recommendations?

[wvcampers]

Lots of things to see and in WV, but not all campgrounds are open that early in the year. Do a good search to find one in the area that you decide to visit.

[michigansandzil]

I was very interested in a tour of a coal mine, but it appears that they are only open for tours starting April 1st, and we will be in the area on March 31st. Shoot!

[michigansandzil]

midnightsadie wrote:
ever been in a coal mine? kids love it.

No. We've been in caves and copper mines but never in coal mines. Any in particular you'd recommend for a tour?

[bukhrn]

midnightsadie wrote:
ever been in a coal mine? kids love it.

Not until we went to the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, very interesting, Even to an Old Kid. 😉

[vermilye]

One of my favorite WV state parks is Babcock State Park & the Glade Creek Grist Mill. Nicest in the fall, but good any time. There is an electric only campground a couple of miles from the mill. The road to the mill is too tight for a large RV or trailer, plus there is limited parking at the mill.

[doxiemom11]

WV is a beautiful state - you may find that 2 days just isn't enough.

[Bob806]

mowingman wrote:

KD4UPL wrote:
Cass, Durbin, and Elkins, and Romney all have nice tourist trains. The New River Gorge Bridge is really impressive. You can go white water rafting on the New River and the Gauley River. The Gauley runs out of Summersville Lake which is beautiful and has some nice campgrounds with boat rentals.
In the southern end of the state the Hatfield and McCoy trail system offers miles and miles of ATV trails. Charles Town in the northern pan handle (not Charelston) has horse races and a casino.

X2. Also Blackwater Falls area. You really need to spend a week or two in W.Va. Well worth it, and lots of great camping locations.

I'm sure you'll get plenty of ideas. WV is a great place to visit...

Blackwater Falls area (Davis, WV) is awesome. Close to great hiking in the Dolly Sods Wilderness, Canaan Valley SP, Seneca Rocks, lots of cool hiking and swimming. Stuart Recreation area and Seneca Shadows CG are worth it as well.

Also, another SP worth checking out is North Bend just east of Parkersburg. They have a pool and a Rails-to-Trails bike path that is around 50 miles long.

http://www.swimmingholes.org/wv.html check this out too, for a nice dip nearby....oops, in April I guess that's not an option.

From your Virginia trip, enter WV near White Sulpher Springs and head NE on US 219. You won't be disappointed.

[RGar974417]

WV has many nice COE and Forest service campgrounds.Many of them have electric. We have stayed at Sutton and Burnsville Lake and at Pipestem State Park. Pipestem has everything you could want. 2 restaurants,tennis,golf,swimming pools,horse back riding etc. We also did the Berkley Coal mine tour.Your kids might like that. Ours did!http://www.gladesprings.com/wv-coal-mine-exhibition.php

[mowingman]

KD4UPL wrote:
Cass, Durbin, and Elkins, and Romney all have nice tourist trains. The New River Gorge Bridge is really impressive. You can go white water rafting on the New River and the Gauley River. The Gauley runs out of Summersville Lake which is beautiful and has some nice campgrounds with boat rentals.
In the southern end of the state the Hatfield and McCoy trail system offers miles and miles of ATV trails. Charles Town in the northern pan handle (not Charelston) has horse races and a casino.

X2. Also Blackwater Falls area. You really need to spend a week or two in W.Va. Well worth it, and lots of great camping locations.

[Herd_Fan]

What part of WV are you interested in seeing? Being a short stay, are you wanting to stay near the interstate?

[Dick_B]

Do a Google search for `______ tourism' and put the city, state or area in the blank space and have the kids choose what to do...

[midnightsadie]

ever been in a coal mine? kids love it.