{"id":15265,"date":"2026-06-22T23:12:33","date_gmt":"2026-06-22T23:12:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/?p=15265"},"modified":"2026-06-22T23:12:33","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T23:12:33","slug":"road-tripping-west-virginias-capitol-circle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/?p=15265","title":{"rendered":"Road Tripping West Virginia\u2019s Capitol Circle"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"justify-start\">\n<nav class=\"align-left col-span-full mb-base\" data-pom-e2e-test-id=\"breadcrumbs\"\/>\n<p>From small-town Americana to the one of the nation\u2019s newest national parks, the Capitol Circle is an epic journey you won\u2019t want to miss<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/p>\n<p class=\"fp-leadCaption py-tight text-left font-utility text-utility3-size leading-utility3-line-height text-secondary\">West Virginia&#8217;s Capitol Circle.<!-- --> (Photo: West Virginia Tourism)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"article-body\">\n<p>Published June 22, 2026 05:07PM<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><i>As I was walking that ribbon of highway, I saw above me that endless skyway; I saw below me that golden valley;<\/i> and I really thought: <i>This land was made for you and me.<\/i><\/p>\n<p>The song is maybe a little bit earnest, definitely a lot nostalgic, but rings totally true when driving the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/wvtourism.com\/capitol-circle\/\">Capitol Circle<\/a> in West Virginia. There are few places in the United States that capture the spirit of Woody Guthrie\u2019s lyrics like the Mountain State, and one of the best ways to get the full picture of this beautiful place is on an epic drive-hike-eat-raft-style road trip. Connecting the state\u2019s top adventures on a road trip lets you explore it all, from the lush, rolling hills of the Appalachian Mountains to the plunging canyons of the New River Gorge.<\/p>\n<p>I was lucky enough to sample it all on a recent trip. Here\u2019s how to put the highlights together on the Capitol Circle route.<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"fp-remove\" loading=\"lazy\" style=\"position:absolute\" title=\"West Virginia's Captiol Circle\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.jwplayer.com\/players\/9BWk9TLc-vEu7c4fo.html\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"auto\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2>Stop One: Charleston<\/h2>\n<p>Start in the state\u2019s capital city of Charleston. Here, you\u2019ll find a vibrant urban center full of great food, shopping, and river access. Check out the golden dome of the State Capitol, take in the views of the rolling green hills from the riverwalk, or explore <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/capitolmarket.net\/\">Capitol Market<\/a>: an indoor\/outdoor market home to flowers, food stalls, and local vendors selling everything from West Virginia honey to gourmet cuts of meat.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2744332\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"West Virginia Tourism\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1912\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2744332\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026_WV_Capitol_250-2-scaled.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 1x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2026_WV_Capitol_250-2-scaled.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">West Virginia\u2019s State Capitol.<\/span> (Photo: West Virginia Tourism)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Stop Two: Waterfalls<\/h2>\n<p>West Virginia is overflowing (pun intended) with waterfalls\u2014there\u2019s even a <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/wvtourism.com\/west-virginia-waterfall-trail\/\">mobile passport<\/a> where you can collect waterfalls throughout the state. As you travel southeast from Charleston on Interstate 64, you can stop at <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/UtAsS6DgMYZigFDr5\">Cathedral Falls<\/a>, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/GambDbo93B35dJhD6\">Kanawha Falls<\/a>, and the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/JWZ9fVdVLtazG86N9\">Roadside Little Waterfall<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2744326\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Cathedral Falls is right along the Capitol Circle route.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1707\" height=\"2560\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2744326\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DRBA4236-scaled.jpg?width=1920&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 1x, https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DRBA4236-scaled.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 2x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DRBA4236-scaled.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">Cathedral Falls is right along the Capitol Circle route.<\/span> (Photo: West Virginia Tourism)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Stop Three: New River Gorge National Park and Preserve<\/h2>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/wvtourism.com\/places-to-go\/parks-public-lands\/national-parks\/new-river-gorge-national-park-and-preserve\/\">New River Gorge National Park and Preserve<\/a> was designated in 2020, making it one of the country\u2019s newest national parks. And in my humble opinion, it\u2019s also one of the best kept secrets in the outdoors. The New River Gorge is a hidden gem not just for its beauty but for all the opportunities for adventure that it has to offer. It\u2019s home to plenty of picturesque hikes like the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/places\/endless-wall-trail.htm\">Endless Wall Trail <\/a>and the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/places\/kaymoor-trail.htm\">Kaymoor Trail<\/a> and boasts some of the best whitewater rafting in the country. Outfitters like <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/aceraft.com\/\">ACE Adventure Resort<\/a> can take you out on the New River to enjoy everything from Class IV rapids to family-friendly floats.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2744602\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Whitewater rafting on the New River.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1438\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2744602\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Capitol-Circle_inline_3-scaled-1.avif?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 1x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Capitol-Circle_inline_3-scaled-1.avif?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">Whitewater rafting on the New River.<\/span> (Photo: West Virginia Tourism)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Stop Four: Fayetteville<\/h2>\n<p>Small town charm meets unparalleled outdoor access in <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/wvtourism.com\/fayetteville\/\">Fayetteville<\/a>. Less than three miles away from the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/maps.app.goo.gl\/ivMCLEPShF6Y2VFNA\">Canyon Rim Visitor Center<\/a>, Fayetteville is the gateway to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Before heading out for hiking or rafting, fuel up with a coffee beneath the stained glass at <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"http:\/\/www.thecathedralcafe.com\/\">Cathedral Cafe<\/a>, or grab a bite at the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"http:\/\/www.secretsandwichsociety.com\/\">Secret Sandwich Society<\/a> where they have some of the best chicken wings I\u2019ve ever had and a great selection of local West Virginia beers.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2744334\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"West Virginia Tourism\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2744334\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DRBA2299-scaled.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 1x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DRBA2299-scaled.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">Fayetteville is just one of the small towns across West Virginia that offer great shopping, food, and access to the outdoors.<\/span> (Photo: West Virginia Tourism)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Stop Five: Hatfield-McCoy Trails<\/h2>\n<p>As you start to head north back towards Charleston, make a pitstop in Logan and go trail riding on the iconic <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/trailsheaven.com\/?utm_source=Tourism&amp;utm_medium=Link&amp;utm_campaign=Tourism\">Hatfield-McCoy Trails<\/a>. Named for the infamous family feud that took place in the region more than 150 years ago, this interconnected trail system is now home to more than 1,000 miles of ATVing heaven. You can bring your own machine or rent one from one of the many registered outfitters in the area including <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.baccountryatvrentals.com\/\">BAC Country Rentals<\/a>. Always remember to ride with a permit and practice proper trail etiquette and safety.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2743485\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"ATV\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1693\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2743485\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Capitol-Circle_inline_2-scaled.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 1x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Capitol-Circle_inline_2-scaled.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">ATVing on the Hatfield-McCoy Trails.<\/span> (Photo: West Virginia Tourism)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><!-- --><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.outsideonline.com\/adventure-travel\/destinations\/north-america\/road-tripping-west-virginias-capitol-circle\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From small-town Americana to the one of the nation\u2019s newest national parks, the Capitol Circle is an epic journey you won\u2019t want to miss West Virginia&#8217;s Capitol Circle. (Photo: West Virginia Tourism) Published June 22, 2026 05:07PM As I was walking that ribbon of highway, I saw above me that endless skyway; I saw below<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15266,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15265","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-wild-living"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15265","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=15265"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15265\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/15266"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15265"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15265"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15265"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}