West Virginia Travel Guide 2009 - (Page 46) wild & wonderful > Woods & Waters 1 4 Sutton Lake a Blackwater Falls Spruce Knob g 3 6 Hawks Nest h g Dolly Sods g 5 World » IF YOU GO: New River Gorge Area, 800-927-0263, www.newrivercvb.com Seneca Rocks g of WV’s Natural 1 The Beaches of West Virginia Seven Wonders 2 Blackwater Falls and Blackwater Canyon 900 feet above the uniquely northern-flowing river. Follow the Gentle Trail at Blackwater Falls State Park for a great view of the state’s largest waterfall at 63 feet – and one of its most photographed spots. Named for its amber-colored water, the falls spill into the majestic Blackwater Canyon, a great place for hiking and biking. MIll Pool Elk River a By Robin Boyd The Mountain State boasts its own “Seven Wonders of the Natural World” – each one a source of great pride among residents and a delight to those who visit. Anyone who has seen them will tell you these spots rank right up there with the nation’s best. Yep, beaches. West Virginia boasts several lake beaches – Summersville, Sutton and Beech Fork, among them – perfect for a day of swimming, boating (seasonal rentals are available) and fun in the sun in lush green surroundings. (A nice change of pace from all that asphalt, eh?) The pristine 2,700-acre Summersville Lake and the 1,500-acre Sutton Lake also both have plenty of mountain biking and hiking trails nearby. 6Seneca Rocks 4Dolly Sods » IF YOU GO: Blackwater Falls and Blackwater Canyon, 304-259-5216, www.blackwaterfalls.com Explore this 4,000-foothigh plains plateau in the Monongahela National Forest, where you can pick blueberries and huckleberries, see mountain laurel and other flora in bloom. Be sure to keep an eye out for artillery shells leftover from World War II maneuvers. Walk the moderate Seneca Rocks Trail up to the summit for an amazing view atop the 900-foot rock formation overlooking the confluence of Seneca Creek and the North Fork South Branch Potomac River. The Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area offers world-class rock climbing, mountain biking and hiking. » IF YOU GO: Seneca Rocks, 304-636-1800, www.fs.fed.us/r9/ mnf/sp/senrcks_txt » IF YOU GO: Beech Fork Lake, 304-528-5794, www.beechforksp.com Summersville Lake, 304-872-3459, www.lrh.usace.army. mil/projects/lakes/sum Sutton Lake, 304-765-2816, www.lrh.usace.army.mil/projects/ lakes/sut 3New River Gorge » IF YOU GO: Dolly Sods, Monongahela National Forest, 304-636-1800, www.fs.fed.us/r9/ mnf/sp/dolly_scenic.html Visit the famous New River Gorge for a day of rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing or hiking, all along one of the world’s oldest and most beautiful whitewater rivers. Include a drive over the country’s second-tallest bridge, the New River Gorge Bridge, which stands nearly 7Fishing Meccas 5Spruce Knob Hike or ride horses along the trails near West Virginia’s highest point, Spruce Knob. From its observation tower at 4,863 feet, you’ll get the best view of the Mountain State. Spend a lazy day fishing for bass or trout on one of the state’s many fishing hot spots: Williams River, Cranberry River, Cherry River, Cheat River, Birch River and Beech Fork Lake. » IF YOU GO: Spruce Knob, 304-636-1800, www.fs.fed.us/r9/ mnf/sp/spruce_knob » IF YOU GO: Birch River, 800-CALL WVA, www.scenicbirchriver.com Cheat River, 800-458-7373, www.tourmorgantown.com Williams River, Cranberry River and Cherry River, 800-CALL WVA, www.richwoodwv.com 46 1-800-CALL WVA http://www.newrivercvb.com http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/sp/senrcks_txt http://www.blackwaterfalls.com http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/sp/senrcks_txt http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/sp/dolly_scenic.html http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/sp/dolly_scenic.html http://www.beechforksp.com http://www.lrh.usace.army.mil/projects/lakes/sum http://www.lrh.usace.army.mil/projects/lakes/sum http://www.lrh.usace.army.mil/projects/lakes/sut http://www.lrh.usace.army.mil/projects/lakes/sut http://www.scenicbirchriver.com http://www.tourmorgantown.com http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/sp/spruce_knob http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/sp/spruce_knob http://www.richwoodwv.com
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