\n<\/p>\n
How lake life, wildlife, and small town life come together in the perfect journey<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
West Virginia’s Cranberry Corridor. (Photo: West Virginia Tourism)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
Published June 23, 2026 03:39PM<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
If you subscribe to the road-trip theory of travel\u2014 that an independent, self-paced drive is the best way to explore a place\u2014then you\u2019ll love to discover that it doesn\u2019t get any better than in West Virginia. The Mountain State has some of the most well-maintained and well-preserved byways in the U.S., country roads that take you not just to and from places, but through<\/i> them.<\/p>\n
The Cranberry Corridor<\/a> is one of those scenic byways that really captures the spirit of what makes West Virginia so special, and after driving this route, I\u2019ve come to understand why they call it, \u201cAlmost Heaven\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>Stop One: Summersville Lake<\/h2>\n<p>A paradise for rock climbers and watersports enthusiasts alike, <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:\/\/wvstateparks.com\/parks\/summersville-lake-state-park\/\">Summersville Lake<\/a> is the perfect starting point for your journey along the Cranberry Corridor. Just a stone\u2019s throw from New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, the reservoir is home to scenic hiking, sparkling blue water (it\u2019s even considered the \u201cLittle Bahamas of the East\u201d, boasting the cleanest and clearest freshwater east of the Mississippi), and challenging rock climbing. New to climbing? <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.newriverclimbing.com\/\">New River Mountain Guides<\/a> located in nearby Fayetteville has all the gear and the know-how to help you tackle all of the area\u2019s lakeside routes.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2743514\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Summersville\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2743514\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Cranberry-Corridor_inline_3.jpg?width=1920&auto=webp&quality=75&fit=cover 1x, https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Cranberry-Corridor_inline_3.jpg?width=3840&auto=webp&quality=75&fit=cover 2x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Cranberry-Corridor_inline_3.jpg?width=3840&auto=webp&quality=75&fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">Summersville Lake.<\/span> (Photo: West Virginia Tourism)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Stop Two: Lewisburg<\/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\/lewisburg\/\">Lewisburg<\/a> has such a quintessential small-town vibe that it makes you feel like you\u2019re on a movie set. From picturesque storefronts and historic buildings to award-winning <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_self\" 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.hillandhollerpizza.com\/#order-ahead\">eateries<\/a> and <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.briergarten.com\/\">beer gardens<\/a>, the town perfectly blends history into modern day life. It also has excellent outdoor access: The 78-mile long <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:\/\/wvstateparks.com\/parks\/greenbrier-river-trail\/\">Greenbrier River Trail<\/a> starts right outside of town and there\u2019s a variety of state parks and outdoor recreation areas nearby.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2744343\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Lewisburg, West Virginia.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1790\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2744343\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Lewisburg-WV-Downtown-0001_preview-scaled.jpg?width=3840&auto=webp&quality=75&fit=cover 1x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Lewisburg-WV-Downtown-0001_preview-scaled.jpg?width=3840&auto=webp&quality=75&fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">Lewisburg, West Virginia.<\/span> (Photo: West Virginia Tourism)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Stop Three: Beartown State Park<\/h2>\n<p>When you step onto the boardwalk 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:\/\/wvstateparks.com\/parks\/beartown-state-park\/\">Beartown State Park<\/a>, it\u2019s like being transported to another planet. You\u2019ll feel almost suspended in midair among the moss-covered rock formations that pepper the park, like something out of <i>Avatar<\/i>. I\u2019ve visited dozens of state parks around the country and this one has to be one of the most unique ones I\u2019ve ever seen and well worth a stop along your road trip. Plus, the boardwalk is wheelchair accessible and family-friendly.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2743515\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Beartown\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2743515\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Cranberry-Corridor_inline_4-scaled.jpg?width=3840&auto=webp&quality=75&fit=cover 1x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Cranberry-Corridor_inline_4-scaled.jpg?width=3840&auto=webp&quality=75&fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">Beartown State Park.<\/span> (Photo: West Virginia Tourism)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Stop Four: Cranberry Glades Botanical Area<\/h2>\n<p>Embrace your inner bird nerd. 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\/company\/cranberry-glades-botanical-area\/\">Cranberry Glades Botanical Area<\/a> is a 750-acre nature preserve teeming with life. Bird watchers and biologists come from far and wide to walk the boardwalk and get glimpses of the rare and unique plant and animal species that thrive in these bogs.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2743513\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2744116 size-full\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DSCF0132-scaled.jpg?width=3840&auto=webp&quality=75&fit=cover 1x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DSCF0132-scaled.jpg?width=3840&auto=webp&quality=75&fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\">Cranberry Glades Botanical Area (Photo: West Virginia Tourism)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><b>Road Trip Tip:<\/b> Make sure to drive along 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:\/\/nsbfoundation.com\/nb\/highland-scenic-highway\/\">Highland Scenic Highway<\/a> after visiting the Glades for sweeping views and scenic overlooks of the Cranberry Wilderness.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.outsideonline.com\/adventure-travel\/destinations\/north-america\/road-tripping-west-virginias-cranberry-corridor\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How lake life, wildlife, and small town life come together in the perfect journey West Virginia’s Cranberry Corridor. (Photo: West Virginia Tourism) Published June 23, 2026 03:39PM If you subscribe to the road-trip theory of travel\u2014 that an independent, self-paced drive is the best way to explore a place\u2014then you\u2019ll love to discover that it<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15278,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15277","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\/15277","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=15277"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15277\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/15278"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15277"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15277"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15277"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
<\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>Stop One: Summersville Lake<\/h2>\n<p>A paradise for rock climbers and watersports enthusiasts alike, <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:\/\/wvstateparks.com\/parks\/summersville-lake-state-park\/\">Summersville Lake<\/a> is the perfect starting point for your journey along the Cranberry Corridor. Just a stone\u2019s throw from New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, the reservoir is home to scenic hiking, sparkling blue water (it\u2019s even considered the \u201cLittle Bahamas of the East\u201d, boasting the cleanest and clearest freshwater east of the Mississippi), and challenging rock climbing. New to climbing? <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.newriverclimbing.com\/\">New River Mountain Guides<\/a> located in nearby Fayetteville has all the gear and the know-how to help you tackle all of the area\u2019s lakeside routes.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2743514\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Summersville\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1024\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2743514\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Cranberry-Corridor_inline_3.jpg?width=1920&auto=webp&quality=75&fit=cover 1x, https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Cranberry-Corridor_inline_3.jpg?width=3840&auto=webp&quality=75&fit=cover 2x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Cranberry-Corridor_inline_3.jpg?width=3840&auto=webp&quality=75&fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">Summersville Lake.<\/span> (Photo: West Virginia Tourism)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Stop Two: Lewisburg<\/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\/lewisburg\/\">Lewisburg<\/a> has such a quintessential small-town vibe that it makes you feel like you\u2019re on a movie set. From picturesque storefronts and historic buildings to award-winning <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_self\" 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.hillandhollerpizza.com\/#order-ahead\">eateries<\/a> and <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.briergarten.com\/\">beer gardens<\/a>, the town perfectly blends history into modern day life. It also has excellent outdoor access: The 78-mile long <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:\/\/wvstateparks.com\/parks\/greenbrier-river-trail\/\">Greenbrier River Trail<\/a> starts right outside of town and there\u2019s a variety of state parks and outdoor recreation areas nearby.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2744343\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Lewisburg, West Virginia.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1790\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2744343\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Lewisburg-WV-Downtown-0001_preview-scaled.jpg?width=3840&auto=webp&quality=75&fit=cover 1x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Lewisburg-WV-Downtown-0001_preview-scaled.jpg?width=3840&auto=webp&quality=75&fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">Lewisburg, West Virginia.<\/span> (Photo: West Virginia Tourism)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Stop Three: Beartown State Park<\/h2>\n<p>When you step onto the boardwalk 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:\/\/wvstateparks.com\/parks\/beartown-state-park\/\">Beartown State Park<\/a>, it\u2019s like being transported to another planet. You\u2019ll feel almost suspended in midair among the moss-covered rock formations that pepper the park, like something out of <i>Avatar<\/i>. I\u2019ve visited dozens of state parks around the country and this one has to be one of the most unique ones I\u2019ve ever seen and well worth a stop along your road trip. Plus, the boardwalk is wheelchair accessible and family-friendly.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2743515\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Beartown\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2743515\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Cranberry-Corridor_inline_4-scaled.jpg?width=3840&auto=webp&quality=75&fit=cover 1x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Cranberry-Corridor_inline_4-scaled.jpg?width=3840&auto=webp&quality=75&fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">Beartown State Park.<\/span> (Photo: West Virginia Tourism)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Stop Four: Cranberry Glades Botanical Area<\/h2>\n<p>Embrace your inner bird nerd. 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\/company\/cranberry-glades-botanical-area\/\">Cranberry Glades Botanical Area<\/a> is a 750-acre nature preserve teeming with life. Bird watchers and biologists come from far and wide to walk the boardwalk and get glimpses of the rare and unique plant and animal species that thrive in these bogs.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2743513\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-2744116 size-full\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DSCF0132-scaled.jpg?width=3840&auto=webp&quality=75&fit=cover 1x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/DSCF0132-scaled.jpg?width=3840&auto=webp&quality=75&fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\">Cranberry Glades Botanical Area (Photo: West Virginia Tourism)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><b>Road Trip Tip:<\/b> Make sure to drive along 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:\/\/nsbfoundation.com\/nb\/highland-scenic-highway\/\">Highland Scenic Highway<\/a> after visiting the Glades for sweeping views and scenic overlooks of the Cranberry Wilderness.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.outsideonline.com\/adventure-travel\/destinations\/north-america\/road-tripping-west-virginias-cranberry-corridor\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How lake life, wildlife, and small town life come together in the perfect journey West Virginia’s Cranberry Corridor. (Photo: West Virginia Tourism) Published June 23, 2026 03:39PM If you subscribe to the road-trip theory of travel\u2014 that an independent, self-paced drive is the best way to explore a place\u2014then you\u2019ll love to discover that it<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15278,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15277","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\/15277","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=15277"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15277\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/15278"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=15277"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=15277"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=15277"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}