Highest-rated free things to do in West Virginia by visitors

Being an American can be incredibly expensive. While workers in the United States have seen a 1,015% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the, according to a 2025 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1973 and 2023, the national consumer price index increased by 586%.

Although Americans have about 63% more purchasing power than 50 years ago, that quickly dissipates when factoring in the increased costs of housing and education. Housing costs have jumped about 1,045%, private college tuition has risen by 158%, and public college tuition has increased by 177%.

That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. In 2023, a record-high 42.9 million households were, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.

It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in West Virginia.

From touring landmarks and historical sites to getting out into nature, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.

To help you find your next free activity, compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in West Virginia using data from . Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of Aug. 18, 2025. Only locations that received at least 20 reviews were included.

Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!

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#30. Highland Scenic Highway

- Rating: 4.7/5 (117 reviews)
- City: Marlinton Pocahontas County West
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#29. Prospect Peak

- Rating: 4.4/5 (85 reviews)
- City: Berkeley Springs West
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#28. Greenbrier River Trail

- Rating: 4.7/5 (136 reviews)
- City: West
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#27. Pipestem State Park

- Rating: 4.5/5 (208 reviews)
- City: Pipestem West
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#26. Thurmond Depot

- Rating: 4.4/5 (112 reviews)
- City: Thurmond West
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#25. New Vrindaban Temple

- Rating: 4.4/5 (42 reviews)
- City: Moundsville West
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#24. Canyon Rim Visitor Center

- Rating: 4.6/5 (183 reviews)
- City: Lansing West
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#23. Appalachian Trail Conservancy Headquarters

- Rating: 4.7/5 (231 reviews)
- City: Harpers Ferry West
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#22. Cathedral Falls

- Rating: 4.5/5 (116 reviews)
- City: Gauley Bridge West
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#21. Suspension Bridge

- Rating: 4.5/5 (254 reviews)
- City: Wheeling West
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#20. Hawks Nest State Park

- Rating: 4.4/5 (239 reviews)
- City: Ansted West
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#19. Grandview

- Rating: 4.7/5 (255 reviews)
- City: Beaver West
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#18. Spruce Knob

- Rating: 4.6/5 (160 reviews)
- City: Riverton West
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#17. The Point

- Rating: 4.7/5 (141 reviews)
- City: Harpers Ferry West
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#16. New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

- Rating: 4.8/5 (70 reviews)
- City: Glen Jean West
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#15. Endless Wall Trail

- Rating: 4.8/5 (166 reviews)
- City: Lansing West
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#14. Capitol Street

- Rating: 4.2/5 (172 reviews)
- City: Charleston West
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#13. Sandstone Falls

- Rating: 4.5/5 (139 reviews)
- City: Sandstone West
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#12. State Capitol

- Rating: 4.5/5 (547 reviews)
- City: Charleston West
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#11. Beartown State Park

- Rating: 4.8/5 (124 reviews)
- City: Marlinton Pocahontas County West
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#10. Coopers Rock State Forest

- Rating: 4.7/5 (287 reviews)
- City: Bruceton Mills West
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#9. Dolly Sods Wilderness Area

- Rating: 4.5/5 (283 reviews)
- City: Elkins West
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#8. Hollywood Casino At Charles Town Races

- Rating: 3.3/5 (1,358 reviews)
- City: Charles Town West
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#7. West Virginia State Museum

- Rating: 4.8/5 (434 reviews)
- City: Charleston West
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#6. Capitol Market

- Rating: 4.5/5 (224 reviews)
- City: Charleston West
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#5. New River Gorge

- Rating: 4.8/5 (228 reviews)
- City: West
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#4. Seneca Rocks State Park

- Rating: 4.7/5 (350 reviews)
- City: Seneca Rocks West
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#3. Babcock State Park

- Rating: 4.6/5 (267 reviews)
- City: Clifftop West
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#2. Blackwater Falls State Park

- Rating: 4.7/5 (1,106 reviews)
- City: Davis West
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#1. New River Gorge Bridge

- Rating: 4.8/5 (1,175 reviews)
- City: Fayetteville West
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jill Jaracz, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.

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