Greenbrier Valley Outdoor Recreation
LIVE WHERE THE ADVENTURE BEGINS
Just one glimpse of the Greenbrier Valley’s natural beauty and rolling topography, and you’ll be inclined to know more. With vast public lands spreading through the region and beyond, finding a spot to enjoy is easy. These mountains and valleys, streams and lakes are primed for new discovery. So whether it’s a nature hike with the little ones or a trail run through the forest, a float and fish for smallmouth or a round of disc golf with friends, it’s a noteworthy backdrop to most any outdoor pursuit.
Easy Access to Adventure
The Greenbrier Valley is an adventure lover’s paradise – within close proximity to everything from whitewater rafting to biking trails.
Within the Greenbrier Valley you’ll find 138 paddling runs, 2,280 climbing routes, nearly 203 mountain bike trails and access to 3 different ski areas.
The Nation's Newest National Park
Just 30 minutes away from Lewisburg find an adventure utopia like no other: the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve. Enjoy a day of rafting amid the roaring river rapids or tackle one of the thousands of nearby rock climbing routes. Go trail searching and reward yourself with breathtaking scenic views that are always worth the hike. There is a reason that the New River Gorge was named the nation’s newest national park.
A river runs through it
Look no further than your new backyard in the Greenbrier Valley to find a waterway full of adventure. The free-flowing Greenbrier River cut through this land millions of years ago, leaving a beautiful adventure oasis. Today you can paddle, fish and swim along this meandering waterway. The river has multiple access points making it easy to squeeze in a short, morning outing or tackle a multi-day excursion.
Blaze your own trail
In the Greenbrier Valley, the rolling mountains descend into rich hardwood valleys dominated by poplars, oaks and maples. Whether hiking or biking, finding your own path to travel is easy. Greenbrier State Forest features more than a dozen hiker/biker trails that crisscross 5,100 acres of forested land. Heated, outdoor pool, disc golf and epic slides, swings and monkey bars included!
Into the forest
The one-million-acre Monongahela National Forest encompasses the eastern counties of West Virginia, including the Greenbrier Valley. Just 24 minutes from the heart of Lewisburg, the Monongahela National Forest is a utopia of trails, creeks and mountaintop vistas to explore. From Lewisburg, the 165-acre reservoir at Lake Sherwood is your “alpine” solution to a day at the beach. Bring your stand-up paddle board and fishing pole. Camping, hiking, volleyball and beach lounging are popular pastimes too. At Blue Bend Recreation Area, the swimming hole is a wide, deep bend in Anthony Creek and is a go-to destination when you’re looking to beat the heat. A five-mile loop hike up the mountain gets you access to a sweeping overlook of the valley.
Drop a line
If catching “dinner” is your idea of a successful day on the water, promising options include smallmouth and largemouth bass…even muskie, catfish and carp for those who appreciate a good challenge. Those partial to trout fishing, the creeks and fresh water tributaries that feed the Greenbrier River and Meadow to the west are a haven for brown, rainbow and brook. About a mile and a half of Second Creek is designated catch-and-release, fly-fishing only, guaranteeing that big, savvy fish live in these waters. Looking to try your hand at a new skill? The Greenbrier can lead the way on a guided fly fishing trip along Howard’s Creek.
Voted top-ten hiking trail - By Backpacker Magazine
The Greenbrier River Trail is a 78-mile former rail bed that follows the Greenbrier River, with the southern trailhead 10 minutes from downtown Lewisburg. Its wide, flat, graded path makes it accessible to hikers and bikers of all abilities. With numerous access points, it’s easy to day trip or plan an overnight expedition. Two tunnels, dozens of bridges, spectacular views—including waterfalls, rhododendron, sweeping vistas—and yes, the Greenbrier River, make this a scenic “byway” through the mountains.
Find your sweet spot
If golf is your sport of choice, you’ve come to the right place. The first course was quite literally constructed from the grassy meadows adjacent to the original Old White Hotel (1858-1922), now The Greenbrier. Several of the resort’s courses are known the world over, giving the local contingency access to championship-style play. Three other area courses offer nine and eighteen-hole options also featuring challenging terrain and mountain-style golf.
One-Of-A-Kind Adventure
With a growing set of outdoor activities, visitors of the Greenbrier Valley are sure to discover something new around every bend in the trail. Stop by The Greenbrier to try out the sport of kings: falconry. In your lesson, you can get up close and personal with several majestic birds and catch the perfect photo-op. Looking to get back to nature? Several farms in the area offer you-pick patches of summer delectables and our fall favorite–pumpkins. Head underground for a unique cave tour at Lost World Caverns and–if you dare–opt for the wild tour, full of climbing and crawling through dark caverns. Catch a thrill with guided Off-Road Driving and Whitewater rafting trips also offered by The Greenbrier.
See the Stars in Almost Heaven
Home to one of the largest and darkest skysheds on the East Coast, West Virginia is the perfect spot to unwind and soak in the beauty of the star-studded skies. The Greenbrier Valley community is surrounded by three International Dark-Sky Association designated dark sky parks, Watoga State Park, Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park and Calvin Price State Forest.
Or visit Green Bank Observatory, world’s premier single-dish radio telescope. Here, radio astronomers listen to the remote whispers of the universe. Tours are available at Green Bank Observatory and are perfect for schools, small groups or anyone who wants to learn more about astronomy.