Central West Virginia

Travel Guide

Summersville featuring heritage elements
Central West Virginia
Central West Virginia
Central West Virginia showing railway items, mountains and a small town or village
Central West Virginia showing a small town or village and tranquil scenes

This rural area of West Virginia is known for its serene lakes, historic Civil War sites and independent boutique shops.

Also known as the “Mountain Lakes,” Central West Virginia is a peaceful oasis dotted with quaint towns and blessed with beautiful natural scenery. The region thrives on tourism to its lakeside resorts, as well as agriculture and wineries. Watch river otters in their natural habitat, go swimming on warm summer days and discover the historic battlegrounds of the Civil War.

Central West Virginia’s five lakes are Stonewall Jackson, Stonecoal, Summersville, Sutton and Burnsville. Each one promises a variety of watersports ranging from snorkeling and waterskiing to swimming. Visit Summersville Lake for its rock-climbing ledges and lighthouse tours. Try a unique form of exercise, aqua cycling, at Stonewall Jackson Lake, which was named for American Confederate General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson.

See where General Stonewall Jackson lived from the age of 6 at Jackson’s Mill, which is located in Weston, 30 minutes’ drive northwest of Stonecoal Lake. While in Weston, take a tour of Lambert’s Winery and sample some of their wines. Delve into the wonderful world of glass making with a visit to the Museum of American Glass in West Virginia. Call ahead to see if a glass-blowing demonstration is being held at Appalachian Glass, a great place to find one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Muster up the courage to listen to ghost stories at the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum, which served as a home for the mentally ill in the 1800s. Take a flashlight tour of the empty rooms late at night.

Discover more about local military history at the Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park, located near the city of Summersville, where reenactment events are often held. In the small town of Burnsville, visit the Bulltown Historic Center to learn about local living conditions during the war.

Time your visit to the Mountain Lakes to attend regional events. In spring, head to Buckhannon for the Strawberry Festival, be in Ripley in summer for the Mountain State Arts & Craft Fair and sip locally produced beer in December at Snowshoe’s Winter Brew Fest.

The rural nature of the region means that renting a car is a necessity. Roads are wide, well maintained and generally easy to navigate. Plan to carry cash with you as some smaller stores and cafés won’t take debit or credit cards.

Explore a region rich in history and natural scenery during your trip to Central West Virginia.

Where to stay in Central West Virginia

Default Image

South Mountain

While South Mountain isn't home to many top sights, Raven Golf Club and Split Rock Pools are some notable places to visit nearby.

South Mountain
Default Image

Mountain Base

Though Mountain Base may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Split Rock Pools and Raven Golf Club.

Mountain Base
Default Image

Slatyfork Farm

When in Slatyfork Farm, you can plan a visit to Soaring Eagle Express Ski Lift and Split Rock Pools, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Slatyfork Farm
Default Image

Hawthorne Valley

While there might not be top attractions in Hawthorne Valley, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Raven Golf Club and Split Rock Pools.

Hawthorne Valley
Default Image

Locust Glen

While Locust Glen may not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Pocahontas County Historical Society Museum and Mount Airy Gallery of Fine Arts.

Locust Glen
The Blennerhassett Hotel
The Blennerhassett Hotel
3.5 out of 5
320 Market Street, Parkersburg, WV
The price is S$166 per night from 20 Jul to 21 Jul
S$166
20 Jul - 21 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star historic hotel in Parkersburg. Enjoy free WiFi, free valet parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the restaurant and the ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,001 reviews)
"Great Place to stay for the 4th of July !! We attended the event and the fireworks display were awesome. We saw them right from the terrace hotel at the event!! Great time."

Reviewed on 5 Jul, 2025

The Blennerhassett Hotel
La Quinta Inn & Suites Summersville / New River National Park
La Quinta Inn & Suites Summersville / New River National Park
3 out of 5
106 Merchants Walk Shopping, Summersville, WV
The price is S$138 per night from 22 Jul to 23 Jul
S$138
22 Jul - 23 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Summersville. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,203 reviews)
"Clean room that was renovated..very comfortable bed .. very quiet"

Reviewed on 3 Jul, 2025

La Quinta Inn & Suites Summersville / New River National Park
The Lafayette A grand Riverboat Era Hotel
The Lafayette A grand Riverboat Era Hotel
3 out of 5
101 Front St, Marietta, OH
The price is S$159 per night from 8 Jul to 9 Jul
S$159
8 Jul - 9 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Marietta. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"This property is very old and eclectic. Floors are uneven in some places, but the staff are nice. The only thing i did not like was as i booked on Expedia and paid for it, the hotel charged me more than what i paid Expedia. We got it all worked out but it was a hassle."

Reviewed on 24 Jun, 2025

The Lafayette A grand Riverboat Era Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Brushcreek Falls RV Resort
Brushcreek Falls RV Resort
3 out of 5
5127 Eads Mill Rd, Princeton, WV
Stay at this 3-star golf cabin in Princeton. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (91 reviews)
"Well maintained, staff were very couteous and mini golf was quite fun. We stayed in the farm house that can accomodate upto 12 guests (4 Bedrooms and 2 Bathrooms), the house was decorated with antique/rusty tools that gave it a unique character,kids loved it!! Overall it was a fun experience."

Reviewed on 22 Jun, 2025

Brushcreek Falls RV Resort
Bear Paw Cottage- 12 Mins To Seneca Rocks 3 Bedroom Cottage
Bear Paw Cottage- 12 Mins To Seneca Rocks 3 Bedroom Cottage
3 out of 5
12903 North Fork Highway, Cabins, WV
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly cottage in Cabins. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attraction Echo Park is located ...
A good stay
"Family had a good time in the mountains at Canaan and Whitegrass. The place was just what we needed. Thanks."

Reviewed on 22 Jan, 2025

Bear Paw Cottage- 12 Mins To Seneca Rocks 3 Bedroom Cottage
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do