State Fair of West Virginia Campground

The Great Outdoors

West Virginia is the unsung hero of outdoor recreation on the Eastern Seaboard. It offers dense old-growth forests for hiking, wide and meandering rivers for fishing, thrilling whitewater gorges, and fantastic cycling trails along its old canal pathways. If you only have time for one big adventure, though, it should be the New River Gorge west of Lewisburg. Designated as a National River, it’s home to some of America’s best whitewater rafting. Its steep rock walls have almost 1,500 designated climbing routes to explore too. But even if you’re not up for a thrill, there are plenty of sections that are perfect for paddling in a flatwater kayak or just taking a float with an inner tube.Up for a little subterranean exploration when you rent an RV near Lewisburg, WV? Lost World Caverns is just outside of the city and is perfect for anyone interested in seeing beautiful stalactites and stalagmites with guided tours that can be tailored to your fitness level; the easiest version traverses the cave on a series of wooden walkways.You also can’t visit this part of the state without crossing over to Shenandoah National Park. Thanks to its famed Skyline Drive, a favorite among fall leaf peepers, Shenandoah is perfect for motorhome camping. To really see the park, though, you’ll need to venture away from the roadways, and towards the summits of its grand peaks. There you’ll have the most astounding views of the Appalachians, and unlike their counterparts in the Rockies, summit hikes in Shenandoah are rarely very strenuous.

Exploring the City

When you book an RV in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, one of the closest cities is Lewisburg. Its history dates back to America’s independence, and there are several interesting sites worth exploring while you’re there. The Greenbriar Historical Society should be your first stop - a mishmash of town history and historical artifacts like a covered wagon and Confederate general Robert E. Lee’s saddle.For a more offbeat historical attraction while camping at the State Fair of West Virginia Campground, head over to White Sulphur Springs, home to the Greenbrier Government Relocation Facility. Built at the start of the Cold War, this massive bunker beneath the Greenbrier Building was intended to hold America’s most important politicians and civil servants in the event of a nuclear attack.Don’t end your historical journey there though, there’s also Carnegie Hall back in Lewisburg, the arts and education center founded by one of America’s greatest industrial philanthropists. It houses an auditorium, several art galleries, and a dance studio – check their schedule to see what kind of events are happening during your trip. For live theater performances, check out the Greenbrier Valley Theatre, which has musicals, concerts, and children’s shows playing throughout the year.