West Virginia
Travelers come for river gorges, whitewater rafting and fall color, with Civil War history in the eastern panhandle.
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West Virginia is a mountain state in the Appalachian region of the eastern United States. Travelers go for deep river gorges, whitewater rafting on the New River, and fall foliage across the ridges. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve protects a steep canyon of cliffs, forest and rapids. The New River Gorge Bridge, a steel arch that spans the gorge, is among the highest steel arch bridges in the world.
Rafting on the New River runs mainly in the warmer months, and the hills are at their most colorful in autumn. Harpers Ferry, on the state's eastern edge, is a historic river town where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet. John Brown's 1859 raid on the federal armory there was one of the events that led up to the Civil War. The trip suits people who like hiking, paddling and history. Three to five days covers the gorge and the eastern towns at an easy pace.
West Virginia in five
- Visit New River Gorge without an entrance feeThe park service says there is no fee to enter New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Budget instead for rafting, climbing and lodging, which are the main costs.New River Gorge
- Book a rafting trip with a licensed outfitterThe New River and Gauley River are the region's whitewater draw. Compare season, difficulty and trip length before you reserve, and read what the outfitter provides.Compare rafting trips
- Add Harpers Ferry for historyHarpers Ferry National Historical Park lists $20 per vehicle, valid three consecutive days. It pairs with a Civil War and railroad history day near the Potomac.Virginia travel guide
- Plan fall for color and spring for river flowsOctober brings foliage across the mountains, while spring brings stronger river flows. Check conditions, as water levels and weather change fast.
- Drive slowly on mountain roadsMany routes are narrow and winding with long gaps in services. Fill the tank and download maps before you leave a town.
Neighborhoods
Harpers Ferry
- Price band: $$
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve
A free-entry national park in West Virginia known for whitewater rafting, sandstone climbing and views from a steel arch bridge over the river.
Things to do in West Virginia
See all attractions in West Virginia
Need to know
- Airport
- Charleston (CRW), or fly to Pittsburgh, Washington Dulles or Roanoke
- Getting there
- Drive from Charleston, Pittsburgh or Washington
- Getting around
- Car; few public options between towns
- Best base
- Fayetteville for the gorge; Harpers Ferry for the east
- Time needed
- 3–5 days for the gorge; add 1–2 for Harpers Ferry
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain13 rainy days3 snowy daysHigh5°Low-4°Cold, quietJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 5°
- Low
- -4°
- Precipitation
- 116 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 3
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruaryRain13 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh9°Low-1°Cold, quietFebruaryRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- -1°
- Precipitation
- 135 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh13°Low2°Mild, rivers riseMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 114 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, rivers rise
- AprilRain14 rainy daysHigh18°Low7°Spring, riversAprilRain
Good
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 125 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, rivers
- MayRain17 rainy daysHigh23°Low12°Warm, easyMayRain
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 167 mm
- Rainy days
- 17
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, easy
- JuneRain15 rainy daysHigh27°Low16°Warm, raftingJuneRain
Good
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 195 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, rafting
- JulyRain16 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low19°Hot, humidJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 174 mm
- Rainy days
- 16
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, humid
- AugustRain15 rainy daysHigh28°Low17°Warm, raftingAugustRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 118 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, rafting
- SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh26°Low15°Fall colorSeptemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 133 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall color
- OctoberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh20°Low9°Fall colorOctoberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 123 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall color
- NovemberPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh12°Low3°Cool, quietNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, quiet
- DecemberPartly cloudy12 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low0°Cold, lightsDecemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 0°
- Precipitation
- 120 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, lights
Average daily high and low in Charleston, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in West Virginia
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
19
- Feels like
- 17°
- Humidity
- 50%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 31%
West Virginia
04:59 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today21°12°31%Monday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 31%.
- Tue25°11°4%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 25°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Wed22°14°83%Wednesday: Rain. High 22°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 83%.
- Thu21°13°83%Thursday: Drizzle. High 21°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 83%.
- Fri19°11°30%Friday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 30%.
- Sat11°4°13%Saturday: Cloudy. High 11°, Low 4°. Chance of rain 13%.
- Sun16°3°21%Sunday: Drizzle. High 16°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 21%.
Updated 03:53 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 EUR = 1.116 USD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- New River Gorgeabout 1 hour from CharlestonBridge views, rafting and climbing near Fayetteville.Read the guide
- Harpers Ferryabout 1.5 hours from Washington, DCA historic river town at the Potomac and Shenandoah meeting.
- Shenandoah National Parkabout 2–3 hours from Harpers FerrySkyline Drive and ridge hikes, over the Virginia line.Read the guide
Before you go to West Virginia
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Plan around West Virginia
National park, bridge and whitewater
Read the guideVirginiaSkyline Drive and Shenandoah, next door
Read the guidePittsburghA common starting city to the north
Read the guideWashington, DCCapital region, a few hours east
Read the guideMid-Atlantic StatesCities and mountains on the Atlantic side
Read the guideAll of the USAEntry rules and national park planning
Read the guideWest Virginia FAQ
Is New River Gorge National Park free?
Yes. The park service states there is no fee to enter New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Rafting, climbing and some activities are separate costs.
How much does Harpers Ferry cost?
The park lists $20 per private vehicle, valid for three consecutive days. Check its fees page for per-person fees and passes.
When is the best time to visit West Virginia?
May to October for rafting and hiking, with October the strongest month for foliage. Spring has high water, and winter is quiet.
How many days do you need in West Virginia?
Three to five days cover New River Gorge and a rafting trip. Add one to two days for Harpers Ferry and a Virginia ridge drive.
Do you need a car in West Virginia?
Yes. Public transport between towns is limited, and most parks and trailheads need a vehicle.