The Seven Wonders of West Virginia

The world has its seven wonders. So why not West Virginia? After all the State is called “Wild, Wonderful West Virginia,” and rightly so. West Virginia, The Mountain State, abounds in scenic wonders. Nestled among more urban and populated eastern states, West Virginia is an island of mountains, forests, rivers, and plateaus. Indeed, choosing just seven natural wonders to highlight proved daunting. But subjective as it is, from north to south here is my list: 

1. Dolly Sods
2. Canaan Valley
3. Seneca Rocks
4. The Cranberry Glades 
5. The Falls of Hills Creek
6. The New River Gorge 
7. Sandstone Falls

Dolly Sods

Credentials of the Seven

To make the list, the seven wonders had to fit certain criteria. For instance, they all had to be well-known landmarks, if not nationally, certainly state-wide. They had to be “on the map,” that is, located and identified on a West Virginia State Highway Map. Furthermore, I felt the north, central and southern regions of West Virginia all had to be represented. And the seven wonders had to be on public lands either Federal or State allowing all visitors free access. Being locations of special importance, all seven have received some measure of National or State recognition, management, and protection.

Dolly Sods

Dolly Sods 

Dolly Sods is nestled in the highlands of Tucker, Grant, and Randolph Counties about 35 miles east of Elkins, WV. It’s a high elevation, upland plateau covering about 32,000 acres and is famous for its rocky plains, bogs, and sweeping vistas.  Due to elevations ranging from 2,600 to 4,000 feet, the climate and vegetation resemble those of northern Canada. In 1975 Congress set aside more than 10,000 acres of Dolly Sods to be managed by the U.S. Forest Service as a Wilderness Area. The U.S. Forest Service calls Dolly Sods, “a unique ‘island’ of wild country.” In 2009, Congress expanded the Dolly Sods Wilderness to more than 17,000 acres by adding 7,156 acres from an area previously known as Dolly Sods North.

Canaan Valley

Canaan Valley

Immediately west of Dolly Sods lies Canaan Valley. Sitting about 3,200 feet above sea level and covering 32,000 acres in Tucker County, Canaan Valley is the largest high elevation valley east of the Rockies. Nestled in the valley floor is one of the largest shrub swamp environments in the East. Canaan Valley also holds the largest wetland complex in West Virginia, containing about 9,500 acres of bogs, shrub swamps, and wet meadows. Besides a haven for wildlife, Canaan Valley is one of the most pristine and picturesque spots in all of West Virginia. Everywhere beauty abounds, and so much of it is accessible to the public. Between Canaan Valley Resort State Park and Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge more than half of the valley is public land (22,500 acres). 

Seneca Rocks

Seneca Rocks

Located in Pendleton County in northeastern West Virginia, Seneca Rocks, an imposing nine hundred foot high wall of quartzite, is considered the top climbing spot on the East Coast. During World War II members of the Tenth Mountain Division trained at Seneca Rocks so they could scale Mediterranean cliffs. In 1965, Congress established the 100,000-acre Spruce Knob Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area.

Cranberry Glades

Cranberry Glades

At 750 acres, the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area of Pocahontas County in central West Virginia protects the largest area of bogs in West Virginia. In 1974, the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area was named a National Natural Landmark. The Cranberry Glades is managed and protected by the U.S. Forest Service, which maintains a ½ mile boardwalk for visitors to access the glades without harming the delicate environment.

Falls of Hills Creek

Falls of Hills Creek

Tucked in a narrow gorge in Pocahontas County just eight miles from the Cranberry Glades are the Falls of Hills Creek. Managed by the U.S. Forest Service as the Falls of Hills Creek Scenic Area, this 114-acre tract sports three waterfalls in a row of 25, 45, and 65 feet in height. The last waterfall is considered the second tallest in West Virginia. A 1700-foot long handicap accessible boardwalk allows everyone to see the first waterfall.

New River Gorge

New River Gorge

In November 1978, parts of the New River Gorge located in Fayette, Raleigh, and Summers Counties in southern West Virginia became the New River Gorge National River managed by the National Park Service. The New River was also designated an American Heritage River on July 30, 1998, one of fourteen such rivers in the country. The New River is reputed to be the second oldest river in the world. In 2015, USA Today readers voted the Endless Wall Trail of the New River Gorge National River as the #1 National Park day hike.

Sandstone Falls

Sandstone Falls

Located on the New River about 8 miles north of Hinton in Summers County, Sandstone Falls is one of the most visited landmarks within the New River Gorge National River. A 1/4 mile boardwalk provides fully accessible views of the falls. Not just a Wonder of West Virginia, Sandstone Falls is globally recognized. On a worldwide database of waterfalls, Sandstone Falls was ranked 30th by volume of water and 17th by width.

There you have it--a bucket list of places to visit in West Virginia. I know there are many other places worthy of the list such as Blackwater Falls, but I limited myself to seven wonders. But don’t limit yourself to these seven, for West Virginia is loaded with scenic wonders.