Outdoor adventures in an idyllic autumn setting await
In the autumn, the mountains and forests of West Virginia come alive with spectacular colors, and the most exciting way to experience the fall foliage is ziplining through the mountains and over the gorges in southern West Virginia. As the third most forested state, West Virginia provides a lush tableau of colors that are especially vibrant for fall travelers.
Fly 300 feet in the air under a canopy of leaves, and as you zip from tree to tree you can see for a mile across the Mountain State. The cooler weather in the fall makes it the perfect time to zipline, and Pipestem offers breathtaking views as visitors sail on lines that cross over the Bluestone River Gorge three times at speeds up to 50 mph. Nine ziplines up to 1,700 feet in length, have travelers ‘sailing’ September through the end of October, the perfect time to experience peak fall colors at Pipestem Adventures, open through October 31st.
Pipestem State Park is an adventurer’s paradise. In addition to ziplining, visitors can enjoy other adventures such as hiking, mountain biking, archery and skeet shooting As the autumn forests explode with rich colors of red, orange, and yellow, West Virginia’s beautiful vistas engage the senses with their visual splendor, the scents of fall and the sound crunching leaves as you walk forested paths.
Among the prime destinations for leaf peeping is the state’s only National Park – the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. The second week in October is the ideal time to view the colors in the most photographed and iconic sites in the state and for six weekends September through October, serious rafters from around the world visit West Virginia to take on the challenge of whitewater rafting on the Gauley River. During this distinct time of year, the dam at Summersville Lake is released, creating guaranteed flow on the Gauley River. The river consists of two distinct sections –The Upper and Lower Gauley – and each is typically run separately as a full day trip.
View all of the Pipestem Adventures activities at www.pipestemadventures.com. Pipestem activities can be booked by calling 1-833-WV-Parks (1-833-987-2757) or visiting wvstateparks.com. Some activities require advanced reservations and other considerations.
Experiences at New River Gorge National Park and on the Gauley River can be explored and booked at www.AceRaft.com or by calling 800-787-3982.