West Virginia Vacations Travel Guide

General Information

Baby Equipment Rentals - companies in West Virginia that rent baby gear and equipment including car seats, strollers, cribs and more

Family Resorts in West Virginia - resorts, hotels and other family friendly lodging

West Virginia Division of Tourism - visitors information with maps, places to eat, accommodations, activities, what to see, calendar of events and more.

Zoos

West Virginia Zoo
Rt. 1 Box 265-D
Kingwood, West Virginia 26537
Phone: (304) 329-3122
The West Virginia Zoo at Hovatter's Wildlife Zoo is home to over 30 different species of native and exotic animals from all over the world. What started out as a small collection of deer, black bear, cougars and tigers has turned into a menagerie of Chimpanzee's, Grizzlies, various species of Orange and White Tigers, Spotted and Black Leopards, Ring Tailed Lemurs, Baboons, and many other species. You always find new babies for that special photo opportunity. Hovatter's Zoo is located in a woody setting so all the animals have the comfort of shade on a hot summer afternoon. Come and enjoy the day in rural Preston County and see why the West Virginia Zoo is known for it's up close and personal encounters with all of our adorable, and not so adorable residents. We are the only Zoo in the tri-state area with Chimpanzee's on exhibit and a pride of African Lions. You can feed over half the animals in the Zoo, allowing you to bond with them in a special way, and to observe them at their best!

Oglebay's Good Zoo & Benedum Planetarium
Rt. 88 N
Wheeling, West Virginia 26003
Phone: (304) 243-4030
Visit 85 species of animals nestled in 30 acres of flowers, trees, hills, and valleys. Visitors of all ages will find something pleasing at the zoo which is dedicated to the memory of a seven-year-old boy named Phillip Mayer Good, who loved nature.  You won’t want to miss the indoor Discovery Lab. The Discovery Lab is designed to make learning about animals fun and easy for children. It includes a variety of hands on activities as well as animal exhibits such as the poison dart frog and tiger salamander.  Visit the barn filled with friendly domestic animals such as llamas, ponies, pigs and donkeys.  Take a break and watch a show in the Benedum Planetarium where the big screen pulls you right into the action.  Watch the native North American animals: bears, river otters, buffalo and rare red wolves in their natural habitats, and also visit an ocelot, red pandas and tamarin monkeys.  Journey through the zoo on the historic C.P. Huntington Train Ride. This one and a half mile train ride will take you through a grasslands exhibit with live animals.  A walk through the Wonders of the Wetlands will introduce visitors to our crane, bald eagles, trumpeter swans and various other plants and animals that call these fragile areas home.

National Parks

Blue Stone National Scenic River
Glen Jean, West Virginia
Phone: (304) 465-0508
This scenic river preserves relatively unspoiled land in southern West Virginia and contains natural and historic features of the Appalachian plateau. In its 11 miles, the lower Bluestone River offers excellent warm water fishing, hiking, biking, boating, and scenery.

Gauley River National Recreation Area
Glen Jean, West Virginia
Phone: (304) 574-2115
The 25 miles of free-flowing Gauley River and the six miles of the Meadow River pass through scenic gorges and valleys containing a wide variety of natural and cultural features. The Gauley River contains several class V+ rapids, making it one of the most adventurous white water boating rivers in the east.

New River Gorge National River
Glen Jean, West Virginia
Phone: (304) 574-2115
A rugged, white water river, flowing northward through deep canyons, the New River is among the oldest rivers on the continent.  Activities include whitewater boating, fishing, hunting, photography, sightseeing, picnicking, primitive camping, recreational climbing, horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking.

Harpers Ferry National Historic Park
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
Phone: (304) 535-6298
Throughout history, Harpers Ferry has been the backdrop for remarkable and unparalleled events including Native Americans, industry and transportation, African-Americans, John Brown, the Civil War, and the natural environment.  Activities include visiting various museums and exhibits, joining in guided programs (seasonally), hiking, fishing (appropriate state licenses required), rock climbing and rappelling (registration required).

Museums & Family Activities

Mystery Hole
HC 65 Box 86
Ansted, WV 25812
Phone: 304-658-9101
Experience the laws of gravity ... in a different way

Avampato Discovery Museum
300 Leon Sullivan Way
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 561-3575
Immerse yourself in the fun of two floors of interactive science exhibits, a breath taking art gallery, giant screen films and planetarium shows in the ElectricSky™ Theater.

***If you know of a fun family museum in West Virginia, let us know and we will add it here.***

Theme Parks, Amusement Parks & Water Parks

Camden Park
Route 60
West Huntington, West Virginia
Phone: (304) 522-8320
Nestled between the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Camden Park's twenty six acres are home to 25 amusement rides, including a kiddieland, log ride and three coasters. Camden Park offers games, concessions, a cafeteria, gift shop, miniature golf course, extensive picnic facilities and authentic Native American burial mound.

Family Activities

If you know of a family activity in West Virginia, let us know and we will add it here.

Summer - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Beaches, Lakes, etc.)

River Riders
RR 5 Box 1260
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425
Phone: (800) 326-7238; (304) 535-2663
Fax: (304) 535-2610
"West Virginia whitewater rafting, tubing, kayaking, canoeing, biking, team building and summer camp programs one hour from Washington, DC in Historic Harpers Ferry. Trips for children starting at 4 years and up - all skills and ability levels."

LTD Vacation Property Group
Rough Run, West Virginia
Phone: 410-442-1117
Located in the Potomac Highlands of WV about a 3 hour scenic drive west of DC. They currently have 3 cabins for vacationers- Fox's Lair (sleeps 5), Bear's Den (sleeps 8) & Eagle's Haven (sleeps 12). You can rent one cabin for your family or all 3 and have a family reunion. Thier cabins have a rugged log exterior which is complemented by the rustic pine interiors with hardwood and tile floors throughout. Thier homes are tastefully equipped with all the modern conveniences you would expect: hot tubs, fireplaces, satellite tvs, video games, dvds, movies, books, games, beautiful deck space with furniture and plenty of nature to enjoy! They have thier own hiking, biking and horseback trails (bring your own horse) and 2 private stocked ponds with pavilion and decks. Their property is adjacent to South Mill Creek Lake- a great place for fishing, kayaking, canoeing and it has a walking trail around the 50 acre stocked lake.

Burnsville Lake - Boating, fishing, swimming, skiing and camping. Located off I-79 near Burnsville

Mount Storm Lake - Boating and fishing.  Located east of Davis, West Virginia on Route 93.

Stonewall Jackson Lake - Boating, fishing, swimming picnicking, skiing and camping.  Located just 4 miles from the junction of I 79 and U.S. 33 in eastern West Virginia.

Bluestone Lake - Boating, fishing, skiing, swimming and camping.  Bluestone Lake is a scenic area with the Appalachian Mountains as a back drop.  Located a little south of Hinton.

Tygart Lake - Boating, fishing, swimming, skiing, picnicking and camping.  Home of Tygart Lake State Park on the southeastern side. Located 3 miles south of Grafton off U.S. 50.

Burnsville Lake - Boating, fishing, swimming, skiing, camping and picnicking.  Located off I 79 near Burnsville.

Sutton Lake - Boating, fishing, swimming and camping.  Located in Sutton off I 79.

Zoo, National Parks, Amusement Park listed above and during summer months some of  the Winter Park links below will show you summer activities that are available at the parks.

Winter - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Ski Resorts, etc.)

Timberline Four Seasons Resort
488 Timberline Road
Canaan Valley, West Virginia 26260
Phone: (800) SNOWING / (800) 766-9464)
Year round fun for the whole family. Skiing, snowboarding, children's programs and tubing in the winter.  Golf, hiking, biking, rafting, fishing and chair lift rides in the summer.

Canaan Valley Resort
Davis, West Virginia
Phone: (800) 622-4121
Year round fun for the whole family. Skiing, snowboarding, ice skating and tubing in the winter.  Golf, hiking, biking, rafting, fishing and chair lift rides in the summer.

Winterplace Ski Resort
PO Box 1
Flat Top, West Virginia 25841
Phone: (800) 607-7669 / (304) 787-3221
Year round fun for the whole family. Skiing, snowboarding and tubing in the winter.  Hiking, biking and chair lift rides in the summer.

Snowshoe Mountain
10 Snowshoe Drive
Snowshoe, West Virginia 26209
Phone: (304) 572-1000
Year round fun for the whole family. Skiing, snowboarding and tubing in the winter.  Golf, hiking, biking, rafting, fishing and chair lift rides in the summer.

Zoo, National Parks, Amusement park and Summer vacation hot spots listed above.

Helpful websites and services

If you know of a website or company that is helpful to families traveling to West Virginia, let us know and we will add it here.

Travel Specials & Vacation Packages