Explore Summers County

Explore Summers County Explore Summers County, your gateway to adventure! Experience scenic trails, rich history, and small town charm. Start your journey today!

Discover waterfalls, hiking, zip lining, horseback riding, & floatable river fun on 3 beautiful rivers and a lake! Hugged by the mountains and kissed by the rivers, Summers County, WV is nature's playground. Visit and explore the outdoors at Bluestone Lake, Bluestone National Scenic River, The New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, Bluestone State Park, Pipestem Resort State Park, and Bluestone

Wildlife Management area. The confluence of The Greenbrier River, The Bluestone River, and The New River happens here. Fish, boat, hike, bike, camp, or simply enjoy the beauty that is Summers County. History abounds with the Hinton Railroad Museum, The Campbell-Flanagan House, The Veteran's Memorial Museum, The Graham House, and the John Henry Historical Park and Museum. Embrace the small town charm of the Hinton Historic District, where you'll find a place filled with architecture, history, shopping, and eateries. The train station in Hinton was recently ranked as the fourth most visited station in the state, with Amtrak stopping in Hinton 3 times a week. Summers County is just off the beaten path. Stop by the Visitor Center on the corner of Temple and 2nd or visit our website at www.exploresummerscounty.com for more information. Share your pictures with us

06/01/2026

Some roads are worth the trip. Summers County has miles of them.

05/29/2026

Our experienced (and licensed!!) guides at New River Gorge Outfitters have an experience waiting for you! Get it while the river’s up! Call 304-763-1499

Looking for something fun to do at outside this weekend? Join the park naturalists for a weekend of outdoor activities, ...
05/29/2026

Looking for something fun to do at outside this weekend?

Join the park naturalists for a weekend of outdoor activities, family-friendly programs, and hands-on learning experiences surrounded by the beauty of Bluestone Lake.

This week's activities include:

• Primitive Fire Starting – Friday at 5:00 p.m.
• Campfire Program – Friday from 7:00–9:00 p.m.
• Astronomy – Friday at 9:00 p.m.
• Tie Dye – Saturday and Sunday from 6:00–8:00 p.m.
• Night Fishing – Saturday from 8:00–10:00 p.m.
• Crepuscular Animal Watch – Sunday at 8:00 p.m.

Please note: A valid West Virginia fishing license is required for anyone age 15 and older participating in Night Fishing.
For more information, call Bluestone State Park at 304-466-2805.

Many programs are part of the Young People for Parks (YPP) program for ages 6–16, but all ages are welcome to attend.

05/29/2026

Not everything worth doing this summer comes with a schedule.

Some mornings are best spent watching the fog lift off the river and the mountains wake up.

📍 Brooks Falls, New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

Big Branch Trail is completely transformed from just one week ago.After several days of rain, the waterfall is flowing s...
05/27/2026

Big Branch Trail is completely transformed from just one week ago.

After several days of rain, the waterfall is flowing strong again, multiple crossings that will more than likely get your feet wet, the forest floor is thriving, and little details are popping up everywhere along the trail.

One of the coolest things about hiking in Summers County is seeing how quickly conditions can change. The river gauge screenshots at the end show just how dramatic this past week’s rise has been on both the Greenbrier and New River.

If you’re planning to paddle, fish, hike waterfalls, or explore our trails this time of year, checking river levels before heading out can make a huge difference. (check comments for river level gauges)

Right now? Everything is green, flowing, and very much alive. Get out and EXPLORE!!

📍Big Branch Trail
🥾 Approx. 2 miles (loop)

Tucked along River Road on the way to Sandstone Falls Boardwalk, the Richmond Hamilton Farm offers a glimpse into a way ...
05/27/2026

Tucked along River Road on the way to Sandstone Falls Boardwalk, the Richmond Hamilton Farm offers a glimpse into a way of life built on self sufficiency.

There are no crowds here. No rush.
Just a historic homestead, the surrounding mountains, and a story that is still felt if you take the time to walk it.

It is not a long stop, but it is one that stays with you.

We are so excited for Wild Water Express Days! They will be opening for the 2026 season, Saturday, May 30th at 11am. See...
05/22/2026

We are so excited for Wild Water Express Days! They will be opening for the 2026 season, Saturday, May 30th at 11am. See you there!

2026 Operating Hours:
Monday - Closed
Tuesday - Closed
Wednesday - 12pm-6pm
Thursday - 12pm-6pm
Friday - 12pm-6pm
Saturday - 11am-6pm
Sunday 1pm-6pm

BIG BRANCH TRAIL UPDATEMay 20, 2026Big Branch is deep in its spring green glow up right now.The waterfall is still flowi...
05/20/2026

BIG BRANCH TRAIL UPDATE
May 20, 2026

Big Branch is deep in its spring green glow up right now.

The waterfall is still flowing, though lighter than it is during wetter stretches of the season. Ferns are thriving, the forest canopy is filling in fast, and the trail is full of birdsong right now.

Within just over a minute at the trailhead this morning, Merlin (amazing, FREE bird identifying app!) picked up:
• Carolina Wren
• Eastern Towhee
• Northern Yellow Warbler
• American Redstart
• Yellow-throated Warbler
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Red-eyed Vireo

Wildflowers are becoming more sparse, but a few are still hanging on along the trail.

Today’s hike:
• 1.92 miles
• 639 ft elevation gain
• 50 minutes

Big Branch remains one of Summers County’s best hikes if you’re looking for a quiet forest trail with rewarding scenery and a solid workout. Just minutes from downtown Hinton!

Address

300 2nd Avenue
Hinton, WV
25951

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+13044665420

Website

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