Explore Summers County

02/14/2025

Nature’s way of sending ❤️love❤️ on this loving day. Get out and EXPLORE! We LOVE Summers County!

02/10/2025

💖 Valentine’s Week in Summers County! 💖

Have you made your Valentine’s Day dinner reservations yet? Now’s the time! Lucky Rivers Cafe and Catering, The Market on Courthouse Square, and Pipestem State Park are all offering something special—book now!
More details: www.exploresummerscounty.com/events

🌟 What’s Happening? 🌟

📍 Thursday, Feb. 13 | 7 PM
🎭 Love Letters at The Ritz Theatre - Cinema & Performing Arts – A touching play by A.R. Gurney. Get your tickets online now!

📍 Sweetheart Weekend – Pipestem Resort State Park
🏞️ Feb. 14-16 – Romantic getaway packages with dinner, dancing, games, and more! Stay for one or two nights or grab a Saturday Night Only package. Call 304-466-1800 for reservations!

📍 Saturday, Feb. 15
🍁 10 AM – 2 PM – MoonStruck Maple Open House – Experience the magic of maple syrup season!
🍻 2 PM – 5 PM – New Brew on Tap – Greenbrier Valley Brewing Company releases 9 FORESTS STOUT at Black Bear Grill & Lounge, Pipestem Resort!

✨ Plan a romantic and fun-filled Valentine’s Week in Summers County! Tag your sweetheart and make your plans today! 💕

02/05/2025

✨ The Stars at Night are Big & Bright… in Summers County! ✨
❤

We LOVE our starry skies! No matter the season, the night skies in Summers County are simply breathtaking. Whether you're an expert photographer or just love to gaze up in wonder, here are a few of our favorite stargazing spots:

🌊 Sandstone Falls – A must-see day or night! Walk the ADA-compliant boardwalk to the observation deck and soak in the stunning falls and endless stars.
🏔️ Bolar Tower at Pipestem State Park – A short but steep .5-mile hike leads you to a 360-degree view of the night sky. Worth every step!
🏕️ Bluestone State Park – Stay the night in one of the cozy cabins and enjoy the beauty of the stars right from your doorstep.

📸 Tag us in your starry shots!

02/04/2025

📍Did You Know? African American Heritage in Summers County 🚂

Summers County is home to 3 of the 17 stops on the African American Heritage Auto Tour, a self-guided journey through history developed by the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. This tour highlights the contributions of Black coal miners, railroad workers, and community leaders who helped shape the region.

🔹 Stop 15 - John Henry: The legendary steel driver symbolizes the African American railroad workers who built the C&O Railway.
🔹 Stop 16 - Second Baptist Church: Established in 1878, this historic church has been a cornerstone of Hinton’s Black community.
🔹 Stop 17 - Hinton Passenger Depot: A key migration hub for African Americans seeking new opportunities in West Virginia.

🗺️ Learn more about the African American Heritage Auto Tour here 👉 https://www.nps.gov/neri/planyourvisit/african-american-heritage-auto-tour.htm
📲 Explore this rich history on the NPS App! Download it here 👉 https://www.nps.gov/subjects/digital/nps-apps.htm

02/04/2025

What’s Happening in Summers County
For more details, visit: www.exploresummerscounty.com/events

✅ Friday, Feb. 7 | 5–8 PM
1st Friday Seafood Buffet – Pipestem State Park, Bluestone Dining Room
Enjoy a mouthwatering seafood buffet featuring fresh mahi, salmon, scallops, raw oysters, shrimp, calamari, mussels, crab cakes, and more!
💰 $29.99 per person | Add crab legs: $7.99 (½ lb) | $14.99 (1 lb)
📞 Call 304-466-1800 for reservations.

✅ Friday, Feb. 7 | 7 PM
Storytime with Bil Lepp – Pipestem Resort State Park
Join master storyteller Bil Lepp for an evening of laughter and fun!
🎟 Free admission (seating is limited).
📞 Reserve your seat: 304-207-4845

✅ Saturday, Feb. 8 | 6–8 PM
❤️Love on 2nd Avenue ❤️ – Valentine's Shopping Event at McCreery Conference & Event Center
Get a head start on Valentine's Day with 20+ vendors, food trucks, and a free magic show! A perfect evening to shop and dine with your special someone.

✅ Saturday, Feb. 8 | 10 AM–2 PM
MoonStruck Maple Open House – 2470 Brooks Mountain Road
Experience the magic of maple syrup season! Visit MoonStruck Maple for a sweet day in a scenic rural setting. Check the weather before heading out!

📍

02/03/2025

💙 How do I love thee? Let me count the ways... 💙

Summers County is PACKED with adventures! What’s on your family vacation bucket list this year?

From scenic horseback rides to thrilling zip line tours over the stunning Bluestone River, Pipestem Adventures has something for everyone! 🌿🏇🌊

Tag your adventure crew and start planning today!

02/01/2025

❤ HAPPY FEBRUARY ❤

📍 Sandstone Falls

All month long, we’re celebrating what we LOVE about Summers County! Follow along as we share stunning photos and insider info—and don’t forget to share your own moments using !

🌊 First stop: Sandstone Falls!

If you haven’t experienced the Boardwalk Adventure, add it to your bucket list NOW! Nestled in the nation’s 63rd national park, Sandstone Falls is the largest waterfall, spanning 1,500 ft across the New River, in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

✨ What makes it special?
✅ Scenic boardwalk – A 0.5-mile (round-trip) ADA-compliant path with breathtaking views
✅ Observation deck – Capture Sandstone Falls from multiple perspectives
✅ Picnic areas – Relax and enjoy lunch with an unforgettable backdrop

🌊 Chase waterfalls & earn rewards!
Sandstone Falls is a check-in point on West Virginia Tourism’s ! Explore more falls—including Big Branch Falls and Pipestem Falls—to earn free gear!

📸 Tag your adventures with & ! We can’t wait to see your favorite moments!

Hope to see you soon! 💙

01/31/2025

🌧️ Rainy Day Plans? We've Got You Covered! 🚂✨

📸: Loyd Lowry

Hop on the Amtrak from downtown Hinton and take a scenic ride to The Greenbrier Resort for the day! 🌿🏛️

🚨 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO🚨

✅Expect Delays – Freight trains take priority, so check the Amtrak app for real-time updates.
✅Parking – Limited spots at the Hinton station, parking on side streets is available. DO NOT park at the Senior Center.
✅Be Ready! – The train stops for as little as 2 minutes. Use the Amtrak app to track arrival times.
✅Schedule: (Subject to delays)
🚂Depart Hinton – 10:51 AM | Arrive White Sulphur Springs – 12:01 PM
🚂Return Trip – 5:05 PM | Arrive Hinton – 6:04 PM

🎟️ Upon Arrival at The Greenbrier🎟️

✅FREE Shuttle from the station to the resort. Or take a lovely stroll if the weather clears up!
✅Things to Do: Bowling, Arcade, Bunker Tours, Golf Simulator, Carriage Rides & more! Some require reservations—call ahead or book with the Concierge.

🚞 Relax & Enjoy the Journey!
Experience West Virginia views from an extraordinary perspective, including three tunnels, one being the legendary John Henry tunnel! Pack your own snacks or visit the dining car for a scenic meal.

📞 Reservations & Questions:
➡️ Call Amtrak at 1-800-872-7245 to book your ticket. Round trip tickets can run as low as $22!
➡️ Need local info? Contact the New River Gateway CVB in Hinton at 304-466-5420 (Ask for Candice!).

All aboard for an unforgettable day trip! 🚆💙

01/29/2025

Now serving BRUNCH! Every Sunday from 10am-2pm. Lucky Rivers Cafe and Catering

01/22/2025

JOB OPPORTUNITY
Friends of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is hiring an Executive Director.

The Executive Director must be an experienced, strategic leader, and a passionate ambassador for the Southern Appalachian Region who will grow and expand the Friends impact through a collaborative partnership-driven approach. Interested candidates should visit www.friendsofnewriver.org/executivesearch
and must apply prior to January 31, 2025.

The Executive Director must be an experienced, strategic leader, and a passionate ambassador for the Southern Appalachian Region who will grow and expand the Friends impact through a collaborative partnership driven approach.

01/22/2025

‼️Do you have a short term rental in Summers County? If so check below to see if your information is correct and/or if you are listed.‼️

We are updating our Explore Summers County brochure for 2025 and want to make sure all of our lodging partners are listed. This is a FREE service! If any changes need to be made or if you do not see your listing, please email us at [email protected] with your updated lodging information. If you have a photo, this will help us adding you to our website and any future marketing.

Once again, this is FREE! We want to support you in getting your rentals out to our visitors.

01/22/2025

Lookie who made the cover photo! Right here in Summers County. Thanks to Backroads of Appalachia and all the fun, memories, and $$$$$$ they have brought our way.

"According to the report, Backroads of Appalachia hosted 75,351 participants and spectators across 51 counties, leading to an economic impact of $50.5 million in Kentucky and $41.9 million in West Virginia."

City of Hinton Government

WEST VIRGINIA (LOOTPRESS) - Backroads of Appalachia, a nonprofit organization focused on motorsports tourism, has released its 2024 Regional Impact Study, highl

01/17/2025

❄️Mother Nature did a copy/paste!❄️

01/13/2025

🥶🥶Have we all thawed yet?🥶🥶
Here is what is going on this week here in Summers County. (Subject to change, we will update this post if events postpone/cancel). Visit our website for more information: www.exploresummerscounty.com/events
✅1/16 - 5-8pm Membership Dinner - Campbell Flannagan Murrell House Museum will host their Annual Dinner. $30 will get you a year long membership along with a FREE lasagna dinner, as well as a 10% off coupon to Pizza Hut for 2025. Event Details: Annual Membership Dinner Party
✅1/16 - 6-8pm Open Mic Night - Our local Kiwanis will be hosting their monthly Open Mic Night (every 3rd Thursday!) at The Hinton Historic Freight Depot located at 509 Commercial St in Downtown Hinton. Free to attend and everyone is welcome.
✅1/16 - 6-8pm Trivia Night - Lucky Rivers Cafe and Catering will be putting on another Trivia Night! Call 304-309-4157 to reserve a spot for your team!
✅1/18 - 10am-2pm Southern WV Winter Eagle Survey - Free & open to all. All are welcome no matter what your experience level is. Pack a lunch and bring warm clothes and binoculars. Contact Jim Phillips to sign up: [email protected]
✅1/18 - 5pm-12am - Paranormal Investigation - Join CFM House (Campbell Flannagan Murrell House Museum) and Appalachian Ghost Tours on a Paranormal Investigation and Guided Tours. Guided tours will be from 5-7pm and the Investigation will start at 7pm. The cost is $15 per person with half of the proceeds benefiting the Museum. There will be equipment available on site to lend. Event Details: Paranormal Investigation and Guided Tours - CFM House

01/10/2025

Take warning! Here is proof the weather is turning. A beautiful sunrise with a snow storm to follow this afternoon.

Warming stations are available, please call 304-466-3333 for more information.

01/08/2025

📍Almost Heaven Swing, Pipestem Resort State Park

❓DID YOU KNOW❓

Acoustic research studied at the University of Kentucky found that snow has a sound-absorbing quality just like foam padding and other sound-quieting methods. While effectively reducing noise levels and creating a sense of calm, this can contribute to a feeling of reduced anxiety as the quiet environment is perceived as serene.

✅Key points about snow and sound absorption✅

❄️Structure of snowflakes:
The spaces between individual snowflakes act like tiny sound traps, absorbing sound waves as they pass through.

❄️Sound absorption percentage:
Studies show that a few inches of fresh snow can absorb up to 60% of sound.

❄️Impact on mental state:
The perceived quietness after a snowfall can contribute to feelings of calmness and relaxation, potentially reducing anxiety levels.

💫🌈

01/07/2025

Be advised when exploring the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve!

Road Closure Alert

The Department of Highways will be closing Fayette Station Road starting tomorrow January 6th through March 28th in order to completely redeck the Tunny Hunsaker Bridge.

During this time the one way section on the south side of Fayette Station Road will be completely closed and the north side will be open down to Teays Landing.

Any updates to this closure will be able to find either here or on our park website.

Image Description: A cloudy sky obscures the trees on the gorge wall while a metal bridge with wooden decking takes up the center of the image.