Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Fiji
State · Washington e o Meio-Atlântico
Virgínia Ocidental
West Virginia, in the Appalachian Mountains: New River Gorge National Park and its bridge, rafting on the Gauley River, the historic village of Harpers Ferry, and the Monongahela forests.
In the photo: New River Gorge Bridge
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
The state
Get to know Virgínia Ocidental
West Virginia lies entirely within the Appalachian Mountains, between Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland and Kentucky, and presents itself as the Mountain State. It separated from Virginia during the Civil War, in 1863. The landscape is made up of forested ridges, whitewater rivers and narrow valleys with small towns from former coal mines.
New River Gorge National Park protects a canyon more than 80 km long carved by the New River. The New River Gorge Bridge, a steel arch, spans the canyon at about 270 meters high and has a lookout and a guided walk on the structure (Bridge Walk). On the third Saturday of October, Bridge Day closes the bridge to cars and opens it to pedestrians and parachute jumps.
The park and the neighboring Gauley River are eastern rafting centers: the New River has rapids for beginners and experienced rafters in summer, and the Gauley, during the roughly six-week water-release period from Summersville Dam in September and October, has rapids for those with experience. There is also rock climbing on sandstone walls and ziplining.
At the far east, Harpers Ferry, at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, is a 19th-century village preserved as a national historic park, crossed by the Appalachian Trail. Up in the mountains, the Monongahela forest features Seneca Rocks, the falls of Blackwater Falls State Park and the Snowshoe ski resort. Charleston, the capital, has a gold-domed capitol. At the table, the pepperoni roll, bread filled with pepperoni, a miners' snack.
When to go
From late September to mid-October the mountains change color, at the same time as the Gauley season and Bridge Day. Summer, from June to August, is rafting season on the New River, with highs near 28 °C in the valleys. Winters are cold in the mountains, with snow and skiing from December to March. West Virginia is 2 hours behind Brasília (1 hour during daylight saving time).
Getting there
Charleston airport (CRW) has domestic flights and is about 1 hour from New River Gorge. Many visitors arrive via Washington, about 1h30 from Harpers Ferry and about 5 hours from the New River, or via Pittsburgh. From Brazil, trips usually include a connection to Charleston or arrival via Washington; confirm before booking. The Amtrak train stops at Harpers Ferry and in the New River valley. In the mountains, almost everything depends on a car.
Your questions
Frequently asked questions about Virgínia Ocidental
When to go rafting in West Virginia?
On the New River, from April to October, with summer as high season and stretches for beginners on the lower river. On the Gauley, during the roughly six-week water-release period from the dam, from September to mid-October, with rapids for those with prior experience. Runs are conducted with licensed outfitters.
What is Bridge Day?
The annual festival at the New River Gorge Bridge, on the third Saturday of October, the only day of the year the bridge is closed to cars and opened to pedestrians, parachute jumps and rappelling. It draws tens of thousands of people, and lodging in the region usually sells out.
Can you visit Harpers Ferry from Washington?
Yes. The village is about 1h30 by car from Washington, and MARC and Amtrak trains stop at the town station at certain times. The historic park and a hike up to the Maryland Heights overlook or along the Appalachian Trail can fit into a day.
Where to see fall colors in West Virginia?
In the eastern mountains, around Blackwater Falls State Park, Seneca Rocks and the Highland Scenic Highway, where colors usually appear first in late September, and in New River Gorge in mid-October.