West Virginia

USA

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2026

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book
West Virginia

West Virginia

Why visit West Virginia

Ready for rugged East Coast adventuring with a gorgeous mountain backdrop? Then set your car toward wild and wonderful West Virginia, a state often overlooked by both American and foreign travelers. It doesn't help that the state can't seem to shake its negative stereotypes. That's too bad, because West Virginia is one of the prettiest states in the Union. With its line of unbroken green mountains, raging white-water rivers and snowcapped ski resorts, this is an outdoor-lovers' paradise.

Lonely planet’s trusted travel insurance provider

Dreaming of West Virginia? Protect your trip

Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.

LEARN MORE

We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Take your United States (USA) trip with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

From Bayside to Coastside: California's San Francisco Peninsula in 10 Days

10 days / 9 nights

highlights

  1. 1 Scouring for offshore whales at one of the world’s tallest lighthouses
  2. 2 Hiking Monterey Bay’s sprawling coastal trails for dramatic waterfront views
  3. 3 Touring an organic farm with a local farmer specializing in sustainable, small-scale agriculture
from $4,940

per person

book this trip see trip details

Explore more trips

  • Maine's Marvelous Coastline: 10 Days in Acadia, Bath, Bethel, and Camden
    The USA

    10 days / 9 nights

    Maine's Marvelous Coastline: 10 Days in Acadia, Bath, Bethel, and Camden

    FROM $3,795

    per person

    See Trip Details
Want our experts to design a custom trip for you?
start planning

Top places to visit in West Virginia

Discover the best attractions in West Virginia from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.

Explore all

Travel Guides

West Virginia travel tips from Lonely Planet experts

Find practical guidance from our team of contributors around the world who bring their decades of first-hand travel experience to your next trip.

Best Things to Do

Anchored by the Appalachians, the Mountain State holds a trove of wild rivers, deep gorges and thick forests perfectly suited for action-packed adventures.

Read full article

Best Road Trips

With scenic mountain backroads that feature unexpected attractions around each curve, West Virginia's Appalachians are made for driving.

Read full article

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in West Virginia

West Virginia and beyond

View all