Last Updated on: 1st February 2022, 05:50 pm
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
The Appalachian Trail is a hiking trail in the Eastern United States. The trail goes on for about 2,200 miles or 3,500 km. The exact length varies due to modifications in the trail. It takes a hiker 5 to 7 months to hike the entire Appalachian Trail.
The trail passes through 14 states in the country. Hiking the trail, you get to see some absolutely beautiful sights like; The Pinnacle, Clingmans Dome, McAfee Knob, Tinker Cliffs, Dragon’s Tooth, and a couple of others. It is the longest path used only for hiking in the world.
Bluestone National Scenic River
The Bluestone National Scenic River was created on the 26th of October in 1988. It is protected by the National Park Service and can be found between Hinton and Athens in West Virginia. It begins from the East River Mountain and flows some 77 miles to its confluence with the New River at Bluestone Lake. It derived its name from the characteristic rugged blue limestone lining its streambed in West Virginia.
The beautiful scenery and precise location offer locals and visitors an opportunity to engage in interesting activities like fishing, camping, hunting, boating, wildlife viewing, paddling, hiking, and biking.
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
This national park was established to preserve the remains of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, which had roots in the country’s transportation history. Some communities along the Potomac river used to transport goods to the market using the canal. Its starting point at Washington DC runs through to Cumberland, MD, and is about 184.5 miles or 296.9 km long.
This historical attraction is the destination of over 5 million visitors every year. Today, the park offers recreational activities like kayaking, boating, rock climbing, wildlife viewing and birdwatching, camping, and fishing.
Chesapeake Bay
This bay is the largest estuary in the United States of America. The Chesapeake Bay is 200 miles or 320 km long and is located in the Mid-Atlantic region. Over 150 streams and rivers flow into this bay’s drainage basin. For a long time, the bay was home to a wide array of different fish and other aquatic life. During these times, fishing and other recreational activities were thriving. However, residential and industrial development in the area and surrounding environment resulted in pollution, which endangers the aquatic species. Some groups have been set up to undo some damage.
Gauley River National Recreation Area
This national recreation area is a picturesque park located near
Summersville in West Virginia. It protects a 25 miles portion of the Gauley River and 5.5 miles segment of the Meadow River. The Gauley and Meadow rivers attract kayakers all year round. Local and visiting paddlers attest to the rivers being one of the best for such activities in the world.
The river is home to fishes like trout, smallmouth bass, walleye, and muskellunge. While following set-out guidelines, all who want to fish can enjoy a great fishing experience while visiting the river.
Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
The original plan for this park was to be a memorial to James Brown, famous for his raid and capture of the federal armory. Today though, some of the centuries-old buildings now serve as historical museums. The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park can be found towards the north of this park and across the Potomac from the Harpers Ferry.
In addition to the historical interests of the park, there are some other recreational activities those touring the area can engage in. A couple of them include; whitewater rafting, boating, fishing, and hiking.
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
The Lewis and Clark trail runs from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the river mouth in Columbia, Oregon. It goes for a distance of about 4900 miles or 7900 km. The trail is a route running across the United States in commemoration of the Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804 to 1806. It connects 16 states (Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, South and North Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon) and some tribal lands. Depending on your travel mode, it would take 3/4 weeks to go through the entire trail.
New River Gorge National Park
This beautiful park and preserve are tucked away in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. Ironically, according to geologists, this new river is one of the oldest in the world, if not the oldest. The park has numerous trails for hiking, rocks for climbing, streams to paddle in. Some visitors go mountain biking whitewater rafting.
The New River Gorge National Park has some scenic locations that visitors are encouraged to see. They’re the New River Gorge Bridge, Thurmond National Historic District, Sandstone, and Grandview. To fully see the recommended locations, a visitor would need three days.