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Mid-Atlantic Field Office - West Virginia
Download a map of national parks in West Virginia (PDF, 179 KB)
One of the most famous and longest trails in the United States, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail crosses West Virginia in the Eastern panhandle. Visitors can hike its entirety between Georgia and Maine, or hop on parts of the trail for weekends or day hikes.
The park's 10.5 miles along the Bluestone River and rugged surrounding area provides homes for black bears, wild turkey, bobcats and a great variety of other native plants and animals.
Originally built to transport coal, lumber, grain and other agricultural products, the 184 miles of this historical park showcase American transportation history while providing a beautiful place for visitors to hike and bike along the waterway. Noted park features include the Great Falls Tavern, which opened as a hotel in 1831 and now serves as a visitor center, the Pawpaw Tunnel, and a number of aqueducts with its largest, the Monocacy Aqueduct.
The Gauley River National Recreation Area hosts world-class whitewater opportunities. More than 60,000 visitors come here each year for whitewater rafting.
As a vital early American town, Harpers Ferry was a staging point for the Lewis and Clark expedition, and in 1859 abolishonist John Brown's raid on the federal armory helped spark the U.S. Civil War. In 1906, Storer College in Harpers Ferry hosted a seminal meeting of early civil rights leaders. These sites from American history as well as sites from the 1862 seige and defense of Harpers Ferry are part of the national park.
The heritage area includes 13 counties in southern West Virginia. Here visitors can explore the rich history of the southern West Virginia coalfields by traveling along a scenic highway, visiting charming historic towns, and taking in breathtaking mountain vistas. There are also numberous visitor centers and museums that intepret the region's history.
The 53 miles of free flowing river and the deep gorge that surround it form the New River Gorge National River. The area boasts the most plant biodiversity of any gorge in the Southern Appalachians and the longest single arch bridge in the Western Hemisphere over a gorge that averages1,000 feet in depth. Visitors come to the park to explore historic sites, to observe the diverse species of birds and other wildlife, and to take advantage of the many recreational experiences including white water rafting, rock climbing, and mountain biking.
The town of Wheeling, West Virginia on the Ohio River features a historic market and a vehicle bridge from 1849 along which visitors can walk.
