Oceana West VirginiaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Oceana, West Virginia.
1. Twin Falls State Park
SCENIC NATURAL WONDER
Twin Falls State Park offers visitors a pristine natural environment with beautiful waterfalls, hiking trails, and recreational activities. The park features a 47-room lodge, vacation cabins, campgrounds, and an 18-hole championship golf course for visitors to enjoy. Nature enthusiasts can explore over 25 miles of hiking trails that wind through the lush forests and showcase the park's stunning twin waterfalls.
2. Rockhouse Trail System, Hatfield and McCoy Trails
OFF-ROAD ADVENTURE PARADISE
The Rockhouse Trail System is part of the larger Hatfield and McCoy Trails network, offering some of the best off-road and ATV experiences in the eastern United States. Riders can explore hundreds of miles of well-maintained trails that wind through the beautiful Appalachian Mountains and connect to local communities. The trail system accommodates all skill levels from beginners to advanced riders, making it a perfect destination for family adventures or adrenaline-seeking enthusiasts.
3. Hatfield & McCoy Moonshine
HISTORIC SPIRITS EXPERIENCE
Hatfield & McCoy Moonshine offers visitors a taste of authentic Appalachian moonshine made from traditional family recipes. Guests can tour the facility to learn about the historic feud between the Hatfield and McCoy families while discovering the art and science of moonshine distillation. The experience includes sampling various moonshine flavors and the opportunity to purchase bottles as unique souvenirs from the region.
4. Winterplace Ski Resort
MOUNTAIN WINTER PLAYGROUND
Winterplace Ski Resort is a premier winter destination featuring 27 trails and 10 lifts spread across 90 acres of skiable terrain for all skill levels. The resort boasts excellent snowmaking capabilities, night skiing, and the largest snow tubing park in West Virginia for additional winter fun. During warmer months, Winterplace transforms to offer hiking, mountain biking, and scenic chairlift rides with breathtaking views of the surrounding Appalachian Mountains.
5. New River Gorge National Park
AMERICA'S NEWEST NATIONAL PARK
New River Gorge National Park and Preserve protects over 70,000 acres of land along the New River, one of the oldest rivers in North America. Visitors can experience world-class whitewater rafting, rock climbing on the massive sandstone cliffs, and hiking along more than 100 miles of trails through diverse forest ecosystems. The iconic New River Gorge Bridge, one of the longest steel span bridges in the Western Hemisphere, offers incredible views and is the site of the annual Bridge Day festival where base jumpers leap from the 876-foot-high structure.
6. Blackwater Falls State Park
ICONIC WATERFALL DESTINATION
Blackwater Falls State Park is named for its magnificent 57-foot waterfall where the Blackwater River plunges over sandstone ledges, creating amber-colored waters due to tannic acid from fallen hemlock and red spruce needles. Visitors can access the falls via a series of well-maintained boardwalks and stairs, providing excellent viewing opportunities and photography spots throughout the seasons. The park offers additional attractions including Elakala Falls, Lindy Point, and Pendleton Point overlooks, plus seasonal activities such as cross-country skiing and sledding in winter.
7. Seneca Rocks
ICONIC ROCK FORMATION
Seneca Rocks is a stunning rock formation rising nearly 900 feet above the North Fork River, offering one of the most recognizable landmarks in West Virginia. This natural wonder serves as a premier rock climbing destination with over 375 mapped climbing routes ranging from beginner to expert level challenges. Visitors who prefer to keep their feet on the ground can enjoy the 1.3-mile trail to an observation platform offering spectacular views of the towering quartzite fins and surrounding Monongahela National Forest.
8. Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
HISTORIC CIVIL WAR SITE
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park preserves the site of John Brown's 1859 raid, a pivotal event leading to the Civil War, situated at the scenic confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. Visitors can explore restored 19th-century buildings in the Lower Town, museums featuring interactive exhibits, and learn about the area's significant industrial, transportation, and civil rights history. The park offers over 20 miles of hiking trails, including a section of the Appalachian Trail, with spectacular views from Maryland Heights and other overlooks of the water gap where three states meet.
9. Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
HISTORIC STEAM TRAIN EXPERIENCE
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park offers visitors the chance to ride historic Shay steam locomotives on the same tracks once used to haul lumber to the mill in Cass during the early 20th century. The signature excursion climbs to Bald Knob, the second-highest point in West Virginia at 4,842 feet, providing breathtaking views of the surrounding Appalachian highlands. Beyond the railroad, visitors can explore the restored company town of Cass, including the Cass Showcase museum, historic company store, and authentic logging camp, providing insight into the region's rich timber history.
10. Shenandoah National Park
SCENIC MOUNTAIN PARADISE
Shenandoah National Park stretches along the Blue Ridge Mountains with the famous 105-mile Skyline Drive offering 75 scenic overlooks and spectacular views of the Shenandoah Valley. The park encompasses nearly 200,000 acres of protected lands with over 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail, leading to waterfalls, viewpoints, and through lush wilderness areas. Visitors can spot diverse wildlife including black bears, deer, and over 200 species of birds, while experiencing the park's dramatic seasonal changes from vibrant spring wildflowers to stunning fall foliage displays.
11. Chief Logan State Park
RECREATION AND CULTURAL CENTER
Chief Logan State Park spans over 4,000 acres in the heart of West Virginia's southern coalfields, offering recreational activities including hiking, fishing, and swimming in a picturesque mountain setting. The park is home to the Liz Spurlock Amphitheater, which hosts the annual outdoor drama "The Aracoma Story" and other performances throughout the summer. Visitors can also explore the Chief Logan Museum and Cultural Center to learn about the region's rich coal mining history and Appalachian heritage through interactive exhibits and artifacts.
12. Cathedral Falls
MAJESTIC NATURAL WATERFALL
Cathedral Falls is one of West Virginia's most accessible and spectacular waterfalls, plunging 60 feet down a series of rocky ledges reminiscent of a cathedral's architecture. The waterfall is located just off Route 60 on the Midland Trail National Scenic Byway, making it a perfect stop for travelers exploring the region. Visitors can enjoy the falls from a small roadside park where they can take photographs, have a picnic, or simply enjoy the peaceful sound of cascading water surrounded by lush Appalachian forest.
13. Pinnacle Rock State Park
STUNNING GEOLOGICAL FORMATION
Pinnacle Rock State Park is centered around its namesake 3,100-foot sandstone formation that towers over the surrounding landscape, offering a unique geological marvel for visitors. The park features hiking trails, picnic areas, and a lookout point at the top of Pinnacle Rock providing panoramic views of the southern West Virginia mountains. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the diverse plant and animal life throughout the 374-acre park, while history buffs can explore nearby Bramwell, once known as the "Millionaires' Town" during the coal boom of the early 20th century.
14. Lost World Caverns
UNDERGROUND NATURAL WONDER
Lost World Caverns invites visitors to descend 120 feet below the Earth's surface to explore a vast chamber adorned with dramatic stalactites, stalagmites, and other fascinating cave formations. The self-guided tour takes approximately 45 minutes and follows a well-lit, half-mile loop path past formations with names like the Snowy Chandelier, Bridal Veil, and the War Club. Adventure seekers can opt for the four-hour Wild Cave Tour, where participants crawl through undeveloped portions of the cave system while learning about its geology and discovery history.
15. Grandview
PANORAMIC RIVER VIEWS
Grandview is a stunning section of the New River Gorge National Park that offers some of the most spectacular panoramic views in West Virginia from its main overlook 1,400 feet above the New River. Visitors can enjoy hiking along five trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty, including the 1.6-mile Little Laurel Trail that leads to an additional overlook providing different perspectives of the horseshoe-shaped river bend. The area is particularly famous for its vibrant rhododendron displays in May and June, as well as being home to the Cliffside Amphitheater which has hosted outdoor dramas and performances since the 1960s.