Mountaineer Country

The Mountaineer Country Region is a combination of rugged, exhillerating outdoor activities and cultural and historic attractions for those wanting more relaxing adventures. There are exciting hiking and biking trails up mountains where panoramic sights are worth the effort. There is wild whitewater rafting that will get the adrenalin soaring. There are auto routes offering vistas of beautiful countyside and in the fall the brilliance of the foliage that will take your breath away. There is history here and up-to-date amenities. There are covered bridges with almost half the state's 17 covered bridges in this region. There is fine dining, shopping, and cultural events. In other words there is much to see and much to do while you vacation here or if you are just passing through. If you're just passing through, take your time, you just may decide to stay awhile and you'd be most welcome. Things to See and Do Attractions Antiques Walk in Morgantown - Consists of numerous shops featuring antiques and collectibles, furniture, pottery, glass, memorabilia and decorative art. Fort New Salem in Salem - Original log structures moved to site of frontier civilian blockhouse. Costumed interpreters portray life on the frontier early 1800's. Prickett's Fort in Fairmont - Reconstructed 1774 civilian fort. Costumed interpreters. Seneca Center in Morgantown - Former glass factory now houses shops and antiques. Sunset Ellis Drive-in in Gypsy - Double feature Friday thru Sunday, May thru September. Flea market every Saturday and Sunday morning April thru October. Valley Worlds of Fun in Fairmont - Laser tag, electric go-carts, bowling, bumper cars and more. West Virginia Heritage Crafts in Quiet Dell - Located on Exit 115 on I-79. West Virginia Mountain Products in Mount Clare - Features WV-made heritage and contemporary crafts and a mini-museum in a National Historic Landmark schoolhouse. Covered Bridges Barrackville covered bridge in Barrackville (Marion County). This bridge, West Virginia's second oldest, was built in 1853 and crosses the Buffalo Creek. Located on Secondary Route 21 at the junction of Secondary 250/32. Carrollton covered bridge in Carrollton (Barbour County). This, the third oldest covered bridge in the state (built in 1855-1856) crosses the Buckhannon River. Located on Secondary Route 36, just east of the junction with US Route 119. Center Point covered bridge in Center Point (Doddridge County). Built in 1888, this bridge spans the McElroy Creek. Located 12 miles north of US Route 50 on State Route 23. Dents Run covered bridge is located near Westover, WV (Monongalia County). The bridge crosses the Dents Run stream and was built in 1889. From Westover, take US Route 19 south, take right onto Secondary Route 42 and follow for 0.7 miles. Fletcher covered bridge is located near Wolf Summit, WV (Harrison County). The bridge was built in 1891 and crosses the Ten Mile Creek. From Wolf Summit, take US Route 50 west and turn north on Marshville Road. 1.6 miles to the bridge. Philippi covered bridge is located near Philippi, WV (Barbour County). The bridge was built in 1852 (the oldest in the state) and crosses the Tygart River. Located on US Route 250 in Philippi. Simpson Creek covered bridge is located in Bridgeport, WV (Harrison County). The bridge was built in 1881 and crosses Simpson Creek. From Interstate 79 at Exit 121, take Secondary Route 24 north for ~0.2 miles. The bridge is located on the left on Secondary Route 24/2. Historic Sites Anna Jarvis House in Webster - Birthplace and home of Anna Jarvis, Founder of Mother's Day. Was also Gen. Geo. McClelland's headquarters during Battle of Philippi. Arhturdale Heritage, Inc. in Arthurdale - America's first New Deal Homestead Community consisting of 165 buildings unveiled in the 1930's by Eleanor Roosevelt. Adaland Mansion in Philippi - An 1870 Neo-Greek brick mansion. Features period wallpaper, detailed woodwork, outside walnut stairway and rooms with antique furniture and furnishings. Fort New Salem in Salem - Consists of 20 relocated log structures reflecting life in a frontier settlement, and furnished with period settlement items. Crafts demonstrations. Jennings Randolph House in Salem - Home of former US Senator Jennings Randolph. Built by his parents in 1900. Open by appointment. For reservations call 304-782-5351. Philippi Covered Bridge in Philippi - Built in 1852 and is the site of the first land battle of the Civil War. Prickett's Fort State Park in Fairmont - Contains a reconstructed log fort imaging the one built in 1774 to protect the settlers from Indian attacks. Authentic presentation of 18th-century lifestyle in West Virginia by costumed personnel. Round Barn Museum in Mannington - Only round barn in WV. Includes historic farm implements, working replica of an oil well. Museums Appalachian Gallery in Morgantown - Features handcrafted works by Appalachian artists and craft personnel. Barbour County Historical Museum in Philippi - Housed in a renovated train station and features Civil War artifacts, antiques, books and two "Philippi Mummies", asylum patient's bodies mummified by a part time undertaker in 1888. Parks & Trails Cooper's Rock State Forest in Bruceton Mills - At 12,713 acres, it is the state's largest forest containing miles of nature, bicycling, hiking and cross-country ski trails. Scenic overlooks, camping, picnicking, fishing, hunting and rock climbing. Food available. Valley Falls State Park in Fairmont - A day park with 18 miles of hiking and mountain bike trails, fishing, picnicking and whitewater rafting. Watters Smith Memorial State Park in Lost Creek - Contains a 19th-century farm museum, blacksmith shop, smokehouse, hiking, swimming and picnicking. Rail Trails: * Mon River Trail North & South - (Morgantown area) From Pennsylvania State Line to Fairmont * Caperton Trail, Morgantown * Decker's Creek. Morgantown to Reedsville * Cheat Haven Trail, Cheat Lake * MCTrail, Fairmont - Prickett's Fort to Fairmont's Morgantown Ave. * Ralph S LaRue West Fork River Rail Trail - Shinnston to Fairmont * Harrison County Bike N Hike - Clarksburg to Spelter * North Bend Rail Trail - Walker (near Parkersburg) to Wolf Summit (near Clarksburg - now in progress to bring it into Clarksburg) Other trails: * VA Park Trail, Clarksburg - walking trails around Veteran's Administration Park * Valley Falls State Park * Coopers Rock State Park * Tygartt Lake State Park * North Bend State Park * Cathedral State Park * Audra State Park * Watter Smith State Park Scenic Drives US Rt 50 EAST - Scenic Byway US RT 250 South from Wheeling, WV to the Virginia border - goes through Northern Panhandle region, through Mountaineer Country, and Potomac Highlands WV Rt 20 - New Martinsville to Bluefield - goes through several regions In West Virginia, just pick a road. Science & Nature Related Raptor Center in Fairmont.

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