Mercer County: Discover Nature, Trails, and Culture

Mercer County combines impressive river landscapes, expansive forests, and a diverse cultural history. Those looking to combine a trip with active days and interesting discoveries will find a variety of options here: the Bluestone River has carved a gorge up to 1,000 feet deep into the landscape, while museums, historical tours, and event venues provide insights into the region’s past and present. When choosing your accommodation, it is therefore worthwhile to first determine the focus of your trip.

River Landscapes and Hiking Trails

The Bluestone National Scenic River protects a 17-kilometer section of the Bluestone River in Mercer and Summers counties. The river area offers opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing. One specific option for hikers is the Bluestone Turnpike Trail. The moderately challenging trail is 9.5 miles long and follows the route of an old riverside road.

Camp Creek State Park and Forest also places a clear emphasis on nature and outdoor activity. The area encompasses nearly 6,000 acres of forest. For mountain bikers, 27 miles of trails are open, and there are also 15 hiking trails with a total length of 33 miles. Pipestem Resort State Park offers 20 hiking trails to choose from. The cable car there provides a special perspective on the landscape, descending over the rim into Bluestone Gorge.

Additional opportunities are spread across different landscapes. Pinnacle Rock State Park has more than six miles of hiking trails. Jimmy Lewis Lake near Pinnacle Rock State Park is stocked with trout seasonally. White Oak Waterfall offers easy access via a scenic riverside trail. Beyond its waterfalls, Brush Creek Preserve offers another 1.5 miles of trail through protected areas. The Gardner Center Trails pass through approximately 23 wooded acres and offer nearly 7,000 feet of trails.

Active Days with Different Focuses

Mercer County is well suited to planning a trip where every day does not have to look the same. Those who prefer longer distances can include the 9.5-mile Bluestone Turnpike Trail or the trails in Camp Creek State Park and Forest. For shorter nature experiences, options include the 1.5 miles in Brush Creek Preserve or the access route to White Oak Waterfall. Those interested in horseback riding can enjoy rides of half an hour, one hour, or two hours at Pipestem Stables. The Pocahontas Trailhead connects the Indian Ridge, Pinnacle Creek, and Warrior trails within the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System.

When searching for a vacation rental or vacation home, you can use these differences as a guide: decide whether hiking trails, water, horseback riding, mountain biking, or cultural attractions should be the focus of your trip. This allows you to choose the accommodation’s location based on your personal travel plans without spending every day in the same way.

History, Art, and Events

The county’s history is particularly evident in its cultural offerings. Mercer County is one of 13 counties included in the National Coal Heritage Area. The Coal Heritage Trail Interpretive Center presents exhibitions on the history of coal mining in West Virginia. At the Mercer County War Museum, artifacts, photographs, memorabilia, and stories span three floors; the museum also honors veterans from southwestern West Virginia from the Civil War to the present day.

Historical sites can also be explored through guided or themed visits. The Historic Bramwell Walking Tour includes 19 stops and offers insights into the city’s families and historic homes. The Princeton Railroad Museum displays more than 100 historic railroad lanterns. The Granada Theater is a restored Art Deco-style venue that originally opened in 1928. Current cultural offerings include the Chuck Mathena Center, with children’s musicals, Broadway shows, and symphony concerts, as well as the RiffRaff Arts Collective, with fine art galleries, studios, and a performance stage.

Community and creative experiences are also part of the county’s character. The Mercer County Fair brings the county together every July and has been doing so for 173 years. At Hammer & Stain Princeton, participants can choose their own project in DIY woodworking workshops and create an item from wood. At Lake Shawnee Abandoned Amusement Park, oral histories are told about a tragedy from the pioneer era, an ancient burial ground, and an abandoned amusement park.

Additional Destinations for Orientation

As another destination, you can visit Bluefield. For regional orientation, Putnam County, Harrison, Monongalia, Hampshire County, Randolph County, Nicholas County, and Grant County are also available.

For the overarching travel overview: West Virginia.