By Megan Bevins
The Mountain State’s approach to tourism has always been unique. With a landscape that can accommodate thrills, sightseeing or total relaxation, activities for residents and visitors are abundant. With new tourism opportunities popping up all throughout the state, local communities are strengthening, and West Virginia continues to grow its reputation as a vibrant hub for adventure.
Tucked within the country roads of the Canaan Valley sits the new Valley View Cabin Resort, created in 2025 to offer a place in Tucker County where everyone can come to unwind and relax. Chris Waters, managing partner of Valley View, says the resort’s location gives all guests a special experience.
“At 3,300 feet in elevation and over 50 square miles in area, it is the largest and highest mountain valley on the East Coast,” Waters says. “The concept of modern-luxury one- and two-bedroom cabins was developed to enhance and maximize the tourist experience in the area through thoughtful attention to detail in both design and layout.”
With views of the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge and proximity to sites such as Timberline Mountain Ski Resort, Monongahela National Forest and Dolly Sods, visitors are surrounded by nature throughout their stay while also having access to many luxury amenities.
“From the oversized front porches made using reclaimed barnwood and sitting in your five-person Jacuzzi hot tub to cozying up by the firepit with complimentary provided firewood, every part of the guest experience while here is being in nature while enjoying the finer things life has to offer,” Waters says.
The Canaan Valley Spa & Wellness Center is conveniently located on site at the resort. Those who enjoy the area’s high-adventure activities can visit the spa afterward to recharge, while those who don’t can spend their time relaxing at the resort. The spa and resort not only serve as a hub for relaxation but also work to bring the community together, providing the opportunity for residents to gather and socialize.
“The spa is becoming a hub to allow folks to be social rather than isolated, which is really important to overall mental and physical health,” says Angie Shockley, MA, CSP, operator of Canaan Valley Spa & Wellness Center.
The spa offers a plethora of services to give guests the most soothing experience possible. These include mineral soaks, halo room therapy, massage options, facial treatments, manicures and pedicures and fitness and yoga spaces.
“As for the spa, our goal was to create an excellent health and wellness retreat for folks on the East Coast, especially women,” Steve White, owner of Canaan Valley Spa & Wellness Center and Valley View Cabin Resort, says. “My wife, Katy, has talked for years about Canaan Valley being the perfect spot for women to come and rejuvenate, experience a healthy lifestyle, learn about holistic techniques and enjoy all the outdoor activities.”
With the addition of Valley View Cabin Resort and the Canaan Valley Spa & Wellness Center, it has never been easier to escape from the real world and spend time in complete serenity.
“Valley View Cabin Resort is a place built for real rest,” White says. “Every cabin sits where it sits for a reason—to give you a view that slows you down, a bit of privacy or a front-row seat to the way the seasons move through this valley.”
The Brush Creek Holl’r Mountain Coaster, opened in 2025, is the state’s only alpine coaster, taking guests on a riveting adventure with a view. Now, when visiting Princeton, visitors can not only gaze upon its picturesque landscape but also ride straight through its winding and exhilarating mountains.
Inspired by similar attractions around Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, TN, the coaster found its perfect home in Princeton, WV, due to its natural beauty and the fact that there are no similar attractions in the area. With its safety features and controls allowing users to adjust their speed, the attraction is perfect for all riders.
With the addition of the attraction drawing more visitors to Princeton, the coaster has not only boosted tourism in the area, but it has also provided new job opportunities to locals. Geoff Nordloh, director of the Brush Creek Holl’r Mountain Coaster, says plans are underway to expand this even further. He also emphasizes the local residents’ enthusiasm for the coaster and support from the State of West Virginia.
“We hope to build Brush Creek Holl’r into a major destination for people of all ages and a wide range of interests by adding indoor and outdoor activities, food and beverage options, lodging and tours to other attractions in the area,” Nordloh says.
The Mountain State’s dark skies allow for some of the best stargazing opportunities on the East Coast, and with the new Coopers Rock Stargazing Cabins, guests can do just that all within the comfort of a warm and cozy cabin.
These A-frame cabins, opened in 2025, allow a front-row seat to the stars within one of West Virginia’s most scenic landscapes. Its modern and aesthetically pleasing design adds to the cabins’ comfort and makes for a luxury experience great for photos of the night sky.
“In a world full of hustle and bustle, West Virginia provides the perfect place to leave the digital screens behind and reflect on what matters most,” West Virginia Department of Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby says.
The stargazing cabins come with two bedrooms, full furnishings, Wi-Fi and a telescope to enhance the viewing experience. During the daytime, guests lodging at the cabins can also partake in Coopers Rock’s many outdoor activities, including 50 miles of hiking and biking trails, climbing and bouldering, fishing and rafting. When venturing outside the park, visitors can enjoy Morgantown’s restaurants, bars and shops.
“Dark sky travel continues to be on the rise, and there’s no better way to show off West Virginia’s natural beauty than with a stay in these cabins,” Ruby says.
In Harpers Ferry, where the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers meet, adventure waits for all thrill seekers. Located in the Old Standard Quarry, The Great Bungee Company has recently opened the first cantilevered bungee jump structure in the country, offering a one-of-a-kind experience that will get every visitor’s heart racing.
“Whether you want the thrill of dipping into the water headfirst, attached by your ankles or in a sitting position attached to your torso, it’s an experience you just can’t find anywhere else in the U.S.,” says Orin Anderson-Barwin, general manager of The Great Bungee Company.
The bungee jump will bring traffic to the area that will help support the town and its local businesses. A short drive from cities like Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, MD, adventurers from across the region will see what Harpers Ferry has to offer by visiting the bungee jump.
“Our goal is to add to what makes Harpers Ferry such a special destination and help the entire area grow as an adventure tourism hub,” Anderson-Barwin says.
The Great Bungee Company’s Harpers Ferry location will open in Spring 2026, and ahead of that opening the company will have special offers available to future guests. These will include a priority pass allowing jumpers to guarantee their spot among the first 1,000 jumpers, a public auction where attendees can bid to be the first ever to jump and group discounts and photo opportunities.
“Adventure recreation is a huge part of West Virginia’s future,” Anderson-Barwin says. “The state is already known for its incredible outdoor beauty, and experiences like bungee jumping add a new level of excitement that appeal to a new generation of visitors and help local businesses grow. It’s all about keeping West Virginia on the map as the go-to place for outdoor adventure.”
