HINTON HAS ALWAYS BEEN A HUB: Your Basecamp for Exploring Southern West Virginia
Hinton, West Virginia has always been a hub. For generations, the railroad brought people through this little city along the New River, connecting Hinton to places near and far. The trains still roll through today, but Hinton’s location offers another reason to make it your starting point.
From downtown Hinton, you're just minutes from waterfalls, state parks, trails, lakes and historic sites. Venture a little farther and even more of Southern West Virginia opens up. The question isn't “Is there enough to do in Hinton?” It's “How much can I reach from Hinton?”
How Far Will You Go From Hinton, West Virginia?
You don't have to travel far to find your next adventure. Use our Hinton Bullseye as a quick guide to just how much is within reach from downtown Hinton, from some of Summers County's favorite places just minutes away to iconic West Virginia destinations worth a day trip.
Drive times are approximate from downtown Hinton and can vary by route, traffic, weather, and seasonal conditions.
But a good home base is about more than drive times. Stay in Summers County and you can start your morning along the New River, spend the day exploring, and return to the mountains, rivers and small communities that make this corner of West Virginia worth slowing down for. Choose a downtown Hinton stay, settle into a cabin in the mountains or make yourself at home near one of our state parks. Wherever you stay, there's a lot more within reach than you might think.
Stay Close
Some of Summers County's best-known places are less than 20 minutes from downtown Hinton. Walk the boardwalks at Sandstone Falls, head into the mountains at Pipestem Resort State Park, spend the day along Bluestone Lake area, or follow the story of the steel-driving legend at John Henry Historical Park. Add trails, river access and scenic drives, and you could easily spend an entire getaway without leaving Summers County.
Venture a Little Farther
Stretch your drive to about an hour and the possibilities get even bigger. Head toward Beckley for Tamarack and the Exhibition Coal Mine, explore another corner of the New River Gorge at Grandview, chase waterfalls at Brush Creek Falls, or make your way toward Greenbrier County for caves, trails and resort history. With Hinton at the center, adventures in several directions become an easy addition to your Summers County stay.
Make a Day of It
Ready to go a little farther? Staying in Summers County still puts some of West Virginia's most recognizable destinations within day-trip reach. See the New River Gorge Bridge, explore the historic Nuttallburg Mine Site, spend a day in Charleston, or point the car toward Summersville Lake, Green Bank or Snowshoe. Go explore, then make your way back to Summers County and start planning tomorrow's adventure.
All Aboard for Hinton
Hinton's role as a hub didn't end with the golden age of rail. Amtrak still stops in downtown Hinton along the Cardinal route, connecting this historic railroad town to destinations near and far. Arrive by train and watch the mountains and New River Gorge scenery roll past your window before stepping off in the heart of Hinton. Or make Hinton your starting point and experience a day trip by rail from a town built around the railroad.
Planning a rail getaway takes a little more coordination, but we've done some of the work for you. Our Travel to Hinton by Amtrak guide covers schedules, trip-planning tips and ideas for exploring once you arrive.
Love the railroad history, too? Each October, Hinton Railroad Days celebrates the city's rail heritage with a weekend of live music, vendors, railroad history and activities throughout downtown Hinton.
Make Summers County Your Home Base
Hinton may sit at the center of the Bullseye, but your home base can be anywhere in Summers County. Settle into a cabin surrounded by the mountains, stay near the water or make yourself at home at one of our state parks. You'll be close to the adventures in the inner ring while keeping much of Southern West Virginia within day-trip distance.
And when you're ready for a slower day, stay close. Explore downtown Hinton, grab a meal, take a walk along the river or see what's happening while you're here.
Hinton has always been a crossroads. Today, instead of changing trains, you might be choosing between waterfalls, trails, lakes, historic sites, state parks and some of West Virginia's most iconic destinations.
Stay in Summers County. Explore from Hinton. See just how much of Southern West Virginia is within reach.
Comments