20 Must-do Activities in West Virginia

West Virginia, known for its stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures, offers countless opportunities for exploration and fun. From exhilarating activities to serene camping spots, there’s something for everyone. In this blog, we’ll highlight 20 awesome things to do in West Virginia, including the exciting adventures at Harpers Ferry Adventure Center.

20 Awesome Things to Do in West Virginia

Spring Adventures

1. Mountain Biking at Coopers Rock

Hit the trails at Coopers Rock State Forest, where you’ll find a variety of mountain biking routes. Experience the thrill of biking through lush forests and breathtaking vistas.

2. Ziplining

Soar through the treetops at Harpers Ferry Adventure Center’s ziplining course. With breathtaking views of the mountains, it’s an adrenaline-pumping way to experience nature.

3. Visiting Natural Hot Springs

Relax and rejuvenate at the natural hot springs in the area, like those in Berkeley Springs. Enjoy the therapeutic benefits while surrounded by the stunning West Virginia landscape.

Summer Thrills

4. Tubing on the Shenandoah

Relax and float down the Shenandoah River. This leisurely activity is perfect for families looking to cool off during hot summer days.

5. Rafting the Potomac

Experience the thrill of rafting on the beautiful Potomac River. With varying levels of rapids, it’s perfect for both beginners and seasoned adventurers.

6. Ropes Course

Test your balance and courage on the ropes course at Harpers Ferry Adventure Center. It’s an exciting way to challenge yourself while enjoying the great outdoors.

7. Hiking the Appalachian Trail

Discover stunning views and diverse wildlife on sections of the iconic Appalachian Trail that pass through West Virginia.

8. Kayaking on the Shenandoah

Paddle through the serene waters of the Shenandoah River. Kayaking is a fantastic way to explore the river’s beauty while enjoying some exercise.

Fall Fun

9. Autumn Leaf Peeping

Take a scenic drive through the Appalachian Mountains to witness the breathtaking fall foliage, especially in West Virginia. For stunning views, consider exploring the Highland Scenic Highway, where you can soak in the vibrant colors and expansive vistas.

10. Camping Under the Stars

As the temperatures cool, fall camping becomes a magical experience. Set up at a local campsite and enjoy cozy campfires and starry nights.

Winter Wonders

11. Skiing at Snowshoe Mountain

Hit the slopes at one of West Virginia’s premier ski resorts. With a variety of runs for all skill levels, it’s a winter paradise.

12. Winter Hiking

For the adventurous spirit, winter hiking offers a serene way to explore the landscapes. The snow-covered trails provide a unique experience.

Year-Round Activities

13. Biking the C&O Canal

The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal is perfect for biking enthusiasts. Enjoy a scenic ride along the historic canal, accessible year-round.

14. Fishing in the Rivers

West Virginia’s rivers are teeming with fish, making them ideal for fishing year-round. Grab your gear and cast a line in one of the many rivers.

15. Visit Historic Harpers Ferry

Explore the charming town of Harpers Ferry, rich in history and culture. Discover the historic sites, shops, and beautiful views of the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers.

16. Bird Watching

West Virginia is a birdwatcher’s paradise, with numerous parks and natural areas to spot a variety of bird species throughout the year.

17. Explore New River Gorge

This stunning area is famous for its breathtaking views, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting. It’s a must-visit for adventure seekers.

18. Attend Local Festivals

Experience West Virginia’s culture by attending local festivals throughout the year. From music to food, there’s always something happening.

19. Photography Tours

Capture the beauty of West Virginia’s landscapes with a photography tour. Whether you’re a novice or a pro, the scenery is sure to inspire.

20. Nature Walks

Enjoy leisurely nature walks in the state’s many parks. Each season offers unique views and experiences, making it a year-round activity.

Awesome Adventures in West Virginia

West Virginia is truly a wild and wonderful destination, filled with adventures that cater to every interest. Whether you’re ziplining through the trees at Harpers Ferry Adventure Center, kayaking on the Shenandoah, or simply soaking in the beauty of nature while camping, there’s no shortage of excitement. So gather your friends and family, pack your bags, and get ready to create unforgettable memories in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains!

Don’t Just Take Our Word for It…

Brian Lower

10:59 22 Jul 25

Harpers Ferry Adventure Center after a competitor outfitter cancelled our reservation due to “lack of interest & forecast weather”. It was a fortunate turn of events. We had such a great time rafting with HFAC! The reservation for rafting was confirmed via a phone call at 9am for a 10am departure. Wow we had to hustle, but we made the launch time! Super professional outfitters. Good clean equipment and professional departure briefing. We were transported to the put in by bus. Another brief safety orientation prior to raft boarding. Our guide for the day, Alyson, was thorough, thoughtful and had great local historical information during the trip. So much fun on the class 1, 2, & brief 3 rapids. Leisurely pace and so relaxing. We stoped for a swim to cool off. We will be back.

Manivannan Pichaimuthu

01:10 22 Jul 25

Huo Ipqsto

20:44 21 Jul 25

Jeremey the GOAT

Townsend Russell

21:38 17 Jul 25

Excellent guide and fun rafting adventure. Family of 6...we had a blast...stayed safe ...got some adrenaline pumping and had a great time. Our guide Jeremy was on point.

Raushan Oshan

18:05 17 Jul 25

10/10 Experience – Made Unforgettable by Our Guide, Connor

This trip was absolutely phenomenal, and 99% of that is thanks to our raft’s main pilot, Connor. Not only is he a walking encyclopedia of the area’s history, but he’s also an absolute legend who made the rapids feel thrilling and safe! While other groups missed out some “risky rapids” Connor confidently took us through every twist and turn — we had a blast!

Words honestly can’t do this day justice. It was surreal — ethereal even. From start to finish, the entire crew was made up of cool, welcoming people who clearly love what they do. That energy made all the difference.

Please make sure you tip them well — they 100% deserve it.

Asiya N

20:03 15 Jul 25

Tubing was fun — but make sure you come with great insurance, time to argue, and the energy to chase down basic accountability.

River tubing was fun. Unfortunately, everything after that completely ruined the experience.

On Saturday, while we were in the dressing room, a tree fell on two cars in the parking lot. One vehicle appears to be completely totaled, and my friend’s car was severely damaged — possibly totaled, though that hasn’t been confirmed by an adjuster yet.

We asked to speak with the owner and were told they were “on the way.” That wasn’t true — the manager showed up and wasn’t updated on the situation.

We had already talked with the assistant manager but had to explain things again when the manager arrived. I had already asked the assistant manager how my friend would get home to Virginia, and we were told that they would give my two friends a ride back to VA in their van. Later, when I asked the manager about the ride, she wasn’t sure how my friends would get back home. I told her the assistant manager had already assured us transportation would be provided. She later confirmed that they would provide transportation — but this was only after back-and-forth conversation between her and me.

Then came the tow issue.
With no phone signal (thankfully for the Wi-Fi), my friend called her insurance and found out towing wasn’t covered. I told the manager they needed to arrange the tow to Virginia. She initially declined. I repeated that it needed to be handled — and after a phone call (presumably to the owner), she agreed.

When I asked for the owner’s contact info, we were told they couldn't provide “personal information.” Eventually, after back and forth, we were given the business number — something we could’ve looked up ourselves. My friend left her information and was told the owner would contact her that day.

That didn’t happen. The owner never reached out voluntarily, and my friend has had to chase him down repeatedly just to get vague, limited responses.

Now, let’s talk about the tree:
The manager implied it was a spontaneous event — likely to avoid liability. But we have photos showing the tree is hollow, and even without that, the missing bark and dead limbs speak for themselves. Now I’m no tree expert but I’m pretty sure this isn’t what a healthy tree looks like!

For a business that invites people to park on their property, basic safety and maintenance should be a given. Clearly, making that assumption was wrong!!

So would I return?
Let’s just say: if you want to pay $40+ to float on a river and end up with a bigger problem and thousands in damages, bring insurance, patience, and time to argue.

My friend originally asked us not to leave a negative review, hoping they’d do the right thing. But that hasn’t been the case — so we’re sharing our experience.

Dave Palanzi

11:36 15 Jul 25

Our group was warmly welcomed by the friendly staff. Scott was great as he oriented us for our white water tubing adventure, he used humor to ensure we knew the rules. Amanda greeted us with a smile at the take out point and was very helpful as we exited the river.

Tobias Shaw

16:39 14 Jul 25

Had a lovely day tubing with a crew of 12, I would definitely return again. Taking a few stars off as there was a semi-hiden $7 per person equipment fee not disclosed on the website which I find annoying (just disclose it up front!). Also I paid for 13 guests but only 12 showed up. I asked the employee if we could swap the 13th spot for a cooler tube, but when we got off the bus it wasn't included. Had a lovely time but improvements could be made.

Dorothy

01:45 13 Jul 25

Lahiru Heen Wahumpurage

18:18 07 Jul 25

Reddy Reddy

16:50 07 Jul 25

gabriel deleon

03:50 07 Jul 25

Did tubing today…twice.
Got on the last shuttle around 4pm. Asked the driver: “ can i have a blue tube please?” she went. “ no! I am not digging through all these tubes to get a blue one! “ . there was clearly a blue tube within easy reach. We didn’t want to argue and just took whatever she gave us. Very rude.
The porta potties were a nightmare at the site. Changing cabins were not the cleanest.. and have no hooks to hang your clothes. So u put your clothes on the floor?
Not coming back.

Richie

17:54 06 Jul 25

we went river rafting, and seth was our boat guide. he was great! very friendly and helpful, and it wasnt too difficult because of how much effort he put in for us.

Michelle Lazzaro

13:53 06 Jul 25

We booked the flat water tubing with Adventure Center for a day of fun in Harper's Ferry. An absolute blast! I would highly recommend and we will definitely be coming back. Adventure Center was well organized, had a friendly staff and plenty of on-site parking. What stood out about this place over others in the area, like River Riders, was that they post on their website real-time updates on river conditions and any age restrictions. We felt well-informed prior to showing up and could book what made sense for our family. Again, hands down a really fun time and we can't wait to come back!

Brandon Bowers

15:46 05 Jul 25

Jeremy was an excellent rafting guide! He was super helpful and knowledgeable about the river. 11/10 would raft again.

Carlo de Vera

02:31 05 Jul 25

We were first-timers and your team didn’t disappoint, particularly Logan, Carson, & Bryce on the Zipline and Logan on the Rope Course. Thank you.

Gourav R

22:46 03 Jul 25

Martin White

01:37 29 Jun 25

Our boat guide Dimitri was awesome, we had a great day white water rafting.

Cassey Riner

17:31 26 Jun 25

My family and I recently tried white water rafting at HFAC for the first time. We had the best experience! Our guide was very knowledgeable. Alyson explained safety instructions to us in detail and also shared HF history with us! We will definitely be back! We highly recommend river guide Alyson! Thanks again for the fantastic time! Memories were made.

Oliver Lim

01:40 24 Jun 25

I visited today to celebrate my birthday and had a truly memorable experience. I want to especially recognize Jeremy, he was an exceptional guide and made the entire visit enjoyable. My friends and I had an absolute blast. Thank you for such a wonderful experience; I look forward to visiting again!

Shannon Detling

21:52 19 Jun 25

Whitewater rafting with Jeremy was awesome! He was the best guide! We did the best rapids while other boats watched us having fun.

hamza Elkholy

03:51 13 Jun 25

Jack and Caden took us through an exhilarating day with and enthusiasm few can contend with!!!

Hilary Buxton

15:57 09 Jun 25

The staff are friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable. We did flatwater tubing and it was a good route; you can do multiple runs--we did two. We stayed overnight in one of the camping cabins so that we could enjoy the brewery on the property without having to worry about driving and had and had a great time--good beer, live music, pizza, amazing views. There was an issue with our cabin at first and Scott, the property manager, took good care of us and rectified the issue quickly. I've tubed with them twice so far and will definitely be back.

Todd Peterson

02:29 04 Jun 25

We went on a rafting trip this past Sunday. Wow, what a great time! Our raft guide was Hannah. She did such an amazing job. Her knowledge about the river and how to navigate the raft down the rapids can't be beat. It was a thrill I won't forget!! Hannah also had us stop at unique places like streams and falls that I have never seen before. She was also a lot of fun to talk to and kept us laughing with her jokes. Thanks Hannah for a wonderful adventure I will never forget.

Brett Peterson

23:34 01 Jun 25

We had an amazing time visiting the Harper Ferry adventure center. Hannah was an amazing guide to go rafting down the river with. Her jokes, personality, and in depth knowledge of the river made it a truly memorable experience. A nice plus is also the brewery right on sight, serving well over 50 beers on tap. Will be back!!

GAIA LEAH ROTEM

19:48 26 May 25

Me and my family had such an amazing experience at the rope course. Our instructor Logan was very kind, and attentive, he provided very clear and helpful instructions while keeping it professional and fun. Thanks to his advice I was able to do the most difficult part of it successfully, thank you.

Wild and Wonderful: Must-do Things in West Virginia