Come Stay a Night or Two in Hardy County, West Virginia

You’ll need more than a day, or even a weekend, to take in all the breathtaking beauty of Hardy County! So, relax and plan to stay a little longer. You can choose from cozy inns, hotels in town, small motels, cabins in the State Park, or vacation rentals tucked into the mountains. Check out all you can do throughout the year….

Hardy County’s rivers, stocked lakes, and mountain runs offer some of WV’s best fishing. Rent a canoe or kayak at Breezewood Adventures to see The Trough, an isolated 6-mile gorge on the South Branch of the Potomac River where bald eagles soar overhead. The South Fork is a seasonal float and fishing river, and Lost River disappears underground to become the Cacapon, a great long-distance paddling river.

Hike and bike the trails in nearby George Washington National Forest to spectacular mountain vistas. The Lee Ranger District of GWNF, straddling West Virginia and Virginia, is home to the Trout Pond and the Wolf Gap Recreation Areas where you will find a variety of camping options. Trails surround the 17-acre Rock Cliff Lake and Trout Pond which, while diminutive, is West Virginia’s only natural lake. While the Trout Pond area is open seasonally, the Wolf Gap Recreation Area can be enjoyed all year.

Lost River State Park

Visit Lost River State Park and hike the 23 miles of trails through the historic park, built by the CCC in the 1930’s, or experience the trails on horseback with a guide from Hidden Trails Stables. Climb to the impressive Cranny Crow Overlook where you will also find a few rustic camping sites in case you would like to stargaze in the skies above the mountains. Further down the ridge top towards Miller’s Rock is the historic fire tower (a preservation effort is underway) and the restored fire-keeper’s primitive cabin. When you’re not on the trails, enjoy the naturalist’s programs, disc golf tournament, and other events held in the park. Join Lost River Trails Coalition for their Lost River Classic Gravel Race in August and the Lost River Trail Run in May. The funds raised from the Coalition’s events support the building of mountain bike trails in the park and their youth mountain bike team, The Cryptids.

Looking for something else to do? Travel our country roads to see the Hardy County Barn Quilt Trail. Follow the Hardy County Historic Schoolhouse Trail on TheClio.org, or the Civil War Trails markers. Then go shopping at Lost River Artists Marketplace, South Fork General Store, Lost River General Store, Our Roots, and Lost River Trading Post, for WV-made products and artwork, antiques, made-to-order food, and beverages. Celebrate our history and explore our rural heritage during Heritage Weekend in late September or on walking tours, at traditional local parades and festivals, and community dinners scheduled throughout the year.

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In Moorefield, tee-off at Valley View Golf Club or visit West-Whitehill Winery for a tour and tasting. Enjoy performances at McCoy’s Grand Theater, a movie at South Branch Cinema 6, or ice skating at Holidays on Ice in the Town Park. See glassblowing demonstrationsat Dakota Glass Works and visit WordPlay, an independent bookstore, and the galleries at Lost River Works and Lost River Trading Post in Wardensville.

Stop at Drifters Café for breakfast or lunch or take a midday break at Kac Ka Pon or Marina’s Pizza in Wardensville. In Moorefield stop for lunch or dinner at Sweets & Treats on Main or Gennaro’s Italian Restaurant, for a steak or salad at O’Neill’s, or a burger at Better Times. End your day with dinner and music at Mullins 1847 or Lost River Grill. Dine by candlelight or in their casual bar at Guesthouse Lost River, enjoy a farm to table dinner at Mack’s Bingo Kitchen, or visit Lost + Found Pizza & Provisions for a wood-fire pizza.

So, Visit Hardy for the day, but plan to spend the night! There are plenty of adventures left over to keep you busy the next day and the day after, too. __________________________________________________________________________

HCCVB Website: https://visithardywv.com

HCCVB Facebook and Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/VisitHardy/

Links to above:

Lost River State Park: https://wvstateparks.com/park/lost-river-state-park

Hidden Trails Stables: http://www.hiddentrailsstableswv.com

Lost River Trails Coalition: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lostrivertrailscoalition

George Washington National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/gwj/recarea/?recid=77721