Fayetteville, West Virginia, is one of the coolest small towns in America that most people have never heard of. Located in the heart of the New River Gorge -- home to the nation's newest national park, a designation bestowed upon the gorge in December 2020 -- Fayetteville is bound to be discovered by the masses. Here's what to do when you see it for yourself.
West Virginia Department of Tourism photo / Rafting on the Gauley RiverPaddling:
The world's largest paddling festival, American Whitewater's Gauley Fest, returns to the Summersville Veterans Memorial Park on Sept. 16-18. Live entertainment, a marketplace filled with whitewater vendors, boat giveaways and a live auction are among the highlights of the annual festival.
Summersville Lake is released by the Army Corps of Engineers into the Gauley River for six weekends in September and October, creating a constant flow that draws paddlers from across the country. Paddlers usually spend a full day each on the river's two sections, the Upper Gauley and Lower Gauley, but a marathon run of the river's entire 26 miles is also an option. Beginners may want to stick with the milder Lower Gauley, as the Upper Gauley – known as the "Beast of the East" – features five Class V rapids.
West Virginia Department of Tourism photo / Climbing the New River GorgeClimbing:
The sandstone cliffs of the New River Gorge are home to more than 3,000 established climbing routes ranging in height from 30-120 feet. Located near the New River Gorge's iconic bridge, The Pinnacle is a natural tower about 100 feet high split into three pitches and boasts spectacular views both at the summit and as you rappel down the sheer backside.
The cliffs rising out of Summersville Lake are ideal for beginners, with easy hand and footholds on many routes. They are also good options for climbers headed to the gorge in the warmer months, as you can climb up directly from the water and feel the breeze coming off the lake.
Snowshoe Mountain Resort photo / Mountain biking at Snowshoe Bike ParkCycling:
Open through Oct. 16, Snowshoe Bike Park features one of the largest trail systems in the East, with around 40 trails and 1,500 vertical feet of descent. In addition to the lift-serviced bike park, Snowshoe also boasts hundreds of miles of backcountry single-track. Enchanted Forest is a popular remote ride through red spruce trees in the Silver Creek network of trails, and The Fingers is another trail network in the North Mountain area that's easily accessible from Snowshoe Village.
Fayetteville Convention & Visitors Bureau photo / Cathedral CafeEat:
Cathedral Cafe is a former Methodist Church that serves up breakfast and lunch in the soft glow of sunlight streaming through its stained-glass windows. Find coffee, fresh juices and smoothies along with specialties like croissant French toast.
Fayetteville Convention & Visitors Bureau photo / The Handle Bar at Arrowhead Bike FarmDrink:
Arrowhead Bike Farm's open-air beer garden, The Handle Bar, has a bevy of craft beers on tap along with an assortment of local brews in its coolers. The kitchen serves everything from brats to vegan burritos. Chat up the other patrons around the firepit to gather more inspiration for your adventures in the area.
The farm also offers campsites, full-day rentals of Trek and Pivot mountain bikes and mountain bike clinics. Arrowhead's shop in downtown Fayetteville can take care of any bike repairs you need while you're in town.
Sleep:
Lafayette Flats offers four boutique vacation rentals in a historic building in downtown Fayetteville. Within walking distance to many restaurants and shops, the flats are decorated with local art and accommodate a maximum of two adults. Rates start at $161 per night.