Fall has arrived! It’s the time of year when the temperature cools down, the leaves begin to change color and pumpkin spice specials start to appear. You’ve decorated with seasonal decor and unpacked your favorite sweaters, so now it’s time to visit fall festivals, pumpkin patches and more!
Fall is an ideal time to take in all the breathtaking, scenic attractions in Mountaineer Country. No matter where the country roads take you, the trees changing to yellow, orange and red are sure to make your trip memorable. Check out our list below for some of the best locations for leaf-peeping in Mountaineer Country, WV.
Want more fall fun? Click on our Fall Guide below to see what really makes a fall trip to Mountaineer Country unique!
Dorsey’s Knob Park and Lodge
Morgantown, WV
Enjoy the 71-acre view of the Monongahela River at Dorsey’s Knob Park and climb the “Sky Rock,” which stands nearly 600 feet above the tall pines–known as the highest peak in Morgantown. You can also stay the night at Dorsey’s Knob Lodge if you want to relax in a mountaintop atmosphere.
Cathedral State Park
Aurora, WV
Explore the bosky trails of the majestic forest at Cathedral State Park. As a remembrance of what once garnished the Appalachian highlands, Cathedral State Park is a hemlock forest with trees reaching up to 90-feet high!
WVU Core Arboretum
Morgantown, WV
Located near Hope Coliseum, the WVU Core Arboretum is a 91-acre trail of hillside and bottomland along the Monongahela River. The Arboretum has many trails aligned with colorful trees and shrubs, as well as bridges.
WV Botanic Garden
Morgantown, WV
The WV Botanic Garden is the former reservoir which supplied water to the Morgantown area from 1912 to 1969. The old structures of the reservoir can be seen along the many trails through the floral forest that the Botanical Garden offers.
Cranesville Swamp
Terra Alta, WV
Follow the Nature Conservancy signs to enter Cranesville Swamp. An area that harbors more than 1,700 acres, Cranesville Swamp offers a great atmosphere to experience a variety of plants and birds.
Cheat Lake
Morgantown, WV
Visitors to Cheat Lake can enjoy a fully accessible walking trail, open to walkers, joggers, cyclists and families. The trail stretches 4.5-miles along the north-eastern shoreline, following Cheat Lake all the way to the West Virginia-Pennsylvania border.
Photo via savethetygart.org
Tygart Lake State Park
Grafton, WV
Tygart Lake State Park is home to numerous walking, hiking and biking trails, and plenty of opportunities to surround yourself in fall foliage. Picnic tables placed along the shoreline make for the perfect lunch venue at the lake.
