Carnifex Ferry Cottages WV Outdoor Activities

Family Fun
Adventure
Outdoor Sports

Snow Skiing
Snow skiing is available at Winterplace Ski Resort, about a one-hour drive from your cabin at *Carnifex Ferry Cottages*. Winterplace has spent several million dollars in the last year or two upgrading and renovating their facilities. It is now one of the premiere snow skiing resorts in the southeast.
	Trails 11 beginner 12 intermediate 4 expert Lifts 2 of the newest Quad chairlifts 3 Triple chairlifts 2 Double chairlifts 2 Surface Lifts
Click here to check out the snow tubing!
More Good Stuff NASTAR Head to Head Racing SkiWee Program kids Special Group Rental Facility Ski Accessory Retail Shops Rental Shop Rental equipment--thousands of Rossingnol and Elan Skis and K2 Snowboards Ski and Boot Lockers PSIA Ski School Learn-to-ski and Learn-to-snowboard GUARANTEE! Expanded Parking Day Care Restaurants Penguins Mexican/Italian Restaurant and Lounge Almost Heaven The Deck at Winterplace Snowdrift Lounge Mountain Mama’s Food Court The MountainHouse Food Court



Horseback Riding
Horseback is a great way to experience the wild, wonderful outdoors, and there are a couple of good stables to call to find the perfect ride for your level of expertise.
Here's the one we recommend: Horseshoe Creek Riding Stable Email: Info@horseshoecreek.com Top of Page



Nature Lovers
You nature lovers are sure to love West Virginia. The state has four distinct seasons of about equal duration. Mean annual temperatures reflecting latitude and elevation range from about 56 degrees in the south to 52 degrees in the north and 48 degrees in the most mountainous regions. January is the coldest month (great for snow skiing!) with a statewide average of 33 degrees and July is the warmest with an average of 73 degrees (great for summer sports!). What does this have to do with wildlife? Four distinct seasons means a very wide variety of flora and fauna for the nature lover’s enjoyment. Bird and animal watching are very popular. Deer and other wildlife are everywhere! The area is fantastic for nature photographers and artists. If you’re a shutter bug, you won’t find a better place to photograph birds, animals, plants, whitewater rafters, and majestic scenery, all within a short distance of your cabin at *Carnifex Ferry Cottages*.
	Hiking or backpacking are both popular outdoor activities in this area. You’ll be amazed at how close you can become with mother nature. There are many trails in the area and our Hiking page is just the place to find info on them! Nature lovers will surely believe this area is “almost heaven.”
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Hiking and Backpacking
Trails for hiking and backpacking are abundant in the part of West Virginia. As a matter of fact, there are four trails (pdf in new window) practically at your door of the *Carnifex Ferry Cottages. The trails vary in length from six-tenths of a mile to two miles and trail difficulty ranges from moderate to strenuous. The trails at Carnifex Ferry State Battlefield afford you the opportunity to see many types of flora and fauna, as well as three magnificent overlooks of the Gauley River Canyon, and the class V+ rapid, “Pillow Rock.” Carnifex Ferry Trails* Patterson Trail: This trail features three overlooks of the Gauley River Canyon. Pierson Hollow Trail: Beautiful, mature trees on a trip to the Gauley River. Old Carnifex Road: Used for Confederate General Floyd’s retreat. Fisherman’s Trail: Best access to *Pillow Rock. The Driftwood Lodge* also offers easy access to hiking trails, two of which are at Summersville Lake. These two trails range in length from one and three-quarters miles to three miles and difficulty ranges from easy to moderate. These trails take you into state wildlife management areas, managed wildlife plots, and excellent views of the lake and recreation areas. Summersville Lake Trails Battle Run Trail: Access from the beach parking lot. This trail is six miles in length, round trip. It is an easy to moderate hike with a few steep slopes. The trail goes from Battle Run recreation area along the lake into a state wildlife management area and ends in one of many managed wildlife plots. There excellent views of the lake and recreation areas as well as opportunities to see different types of wildlife. Long Point Trail: Access this trail from the archery range, past the airport. It is three and one-half miles in length, round trip. The trail is easy with only mild changes in slope. The trail takes you through a state wildlife management area and ends with a magnificent view of the lake from the top of Long Point. Users must be cautious of footing around the trail’s end. Sheer rock cliffs and open fissures are common.
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Zip Lining and Canopy Tours
Fly Through the Air Without a Care!
	Fly through the tree tops of endangered hemlock forests on world-class zip line and canopy tours! Canopy tours include a number of zip lines of up to 800 feet in length with speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. You will hike and cross sky bridges with spectacular views and learn about our environment all at the same time. Gravity Zip Line Tours are designed for the more adventurous with zip lines of up to 1800 feet at 200 feet above the ground zipping you along at an eye-watering 45 to 50 miles per hour!
Call 1-800-701-0809 for more information on Zip Line and Canopy Tours!
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Rock Climbing: New River Gorge and Summersville Lake
Rock Climbing Available for Most Skill Levels from Beginner to Experienced!
West Virginia is one of the fastest growing rock climbing destinations in the east, and for good reason. There are thousands of great rock climbing areas, many of which are very new and relatively unexplored. The scenery and availability of other “extreme” sports are a huge bonus and serve to attract many who are interested in more than just rock climbing. Why even the most avid “craggers” might enjoy a “relaxing” day on class V+ whitewater or mountain biking the New River Gorge canyon rim. There are many areas that will challenge the most experienced rock climber, but many of the area’s rock cliffs are suitable for the novice. Rock climbing outfitters are numerous and offer a wide range of services and trips. Many outfitters also offer mountain biking, whitewater trips, and horseback riding for the rock climber looking for an alternative way to unwind. The rock cliffs of Summersville Lake are rapidly gaining popularity and many guided trips are available from local outfitters. These cliffs are rated very highly by the “cragging community.” Climbing at the lake also has the advantage of easy access to scuba diving, boating, water skiing, and swimming when you need a break from the rocks (no pun intended). The sandstone rock cliffs of the New River Gorge are the premiere cragging destination in the area with over 1400 routes spread over 10-miles of rock--and more routes are being developed all the time! You’ll climb in the presence of the New River Gorge Bridge, the second longest steel arch bridge in the country which towers 876-feet above the class V rapids of the New River below. A spectacular site! Beauty Mountain is in this area and offers some fantastic opportunities. Check it out at the related site link below. The Gauley River cliffs, close to the Carnifex Ferry Cottages, are also great for cragging. Not quite the challenge of the New River Gorge, and maybe not as fun as the cliffs at Summersville Lake, but while you’re in the area... The most convenient and unique place to stay while enjoying the rocks of West Virginia are the rental cabins at *Carnifex Ferry Cottages. The cabins are located in the heart of some of the best rock climbing in the east and the cabins offer a fantastic change from the “same old” hotel or motel room. Contact* us today for more information regarding our cabins, rock climbing or rock climbing outfitters in the area. We’ll be happy to help! Searching for the best rock climbing outfitter can be tough with so many from which to choose and the limited information available. We recommend *Hard Rock Climbing Services. They don’t offer rafting trips, horseback riding, or mountain biking. They simply offer the best rock climbing services in the area. From guided trips in the New River Gorge or Summersville Lake, to Basic Rock Climbing courses, Hard Rock Climbing Services* has it all. They also have a full line climbing outfitters shop and are open 7 days a week. Hard Rock Climbing Services 131 South Court St. PO Box 398 Fayetteville, WV 25840 They can be reached by phone at: (304) 574-0735. Give them a call to arrange your next cragging adventure in West Virginia, and don’t forget to stay at *Carnifex Ferry Cottages!*
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Mountain Biking
A Great Adventure for the Entire Family!
Mountain biking in West Virginia is not just for the extreme rider. There are trails for the entire family. Bring your own equipment or rent it here. There are several mountain biking outfitters in the area offering great equipment at reasonable prices. Many outfitters also offer guided tours customized to your needs and experience level. The guided tours will help you take in more of the interesting historical and cultural sites of the area with some background and maybe a few tales as told by your guide. Tours along the rim of the New River Gorge are magnificent. Full day tours usually include a catered picnic lunch served along the banks of the New River. Along with spectacular scenery, you’ll see all types of wildlife, historic mining communities and complexes, fabulous foliage, and roaring rapids. Of course, if your the kind of person that enjoys going “where no man has gone before,” there’s plenty of room for that too. You can find some of the most extreme mountain biking terrain in the east a short distance from your cabin. If you’re into competitive realms of mountain biking, follow the link at the bottom of the page for a West Virginia Mountain Biking Association. At *Carnifex Ferry Cottages, we strive to make your life easier, and we’ve done it again. You’ll find two of the best mountain biking outfitters in the area right here at our web site, eliminating that long-distance shopping headache and that “who should we trust” feeling. If you need any further assistance, please contact us. We’d be glad to help! Ridge Rider Mountain Bikes* 103 Keller Avenue Fayetteville, WV 25840 Phone: (304) 574-Bike (2453) Ridge Rider is located just off US RT. 19, in Fayetteville, WV. At the intersection of US 19 and RT. 16 (the stoplights) turn into Fayetteville (right if traveling north, left if traveling south). Their shop is directly behind the Little General Store. They offer guided tours, bike rentals (with or without suspension), bike repairs, and sales.
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Fishing in West Virginia
	West Virginia offers a wide variety of fishing opportunities. Four distinct seasons means fishing for species indigenous to the north as well as the south. Of course, the most obvious opportunity is to hike the short distance from your cabin at Carnifex Ferry Cottages to the Gauley River to catch your meal! West Virginia is arguably the best trout fishing state in the east. The Cranberry, Williams, and Cherry rivers offer legendary trout fishing. Check the “Trout Report,” and “Trout Regulations” links below for more information.
The New River is a smallmouth bass mecca. An ample population of trophy sized smallmouth bass propagate in the ideal habitat of stone ledges and boulders of the Upper New River. This section of the New River offers gentle rolling rapids, breathtaking scenery, an abundance of wildlife and miles of excellent fishing. New River fishing also includes muskie and catfish. The use of an experienced guide will ensure that you maximize your fishing experience on the Upper New. Check "WV Fishing Guides” below for our recommendations. The Elk River and its numerous branches and forks is an excellent river for both trout and smallmouth bass while the Greenbrier River offers fantastic smallmouth bass fishing on the longest unimpounded river in the east. Summersville Lake is excellent for smallmouth and largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, bluegill, walleye, and the occasional rainbow trout. The lake is clean, clear, deep, and provides many rock cliffs, boulders and other cover--an excellent environment for fish to thrive. The tailwaters are stocked with trout. Whatever your preference for fishing, you’ll find it here in West Virginia. Guides are available for most of the rivers in the area and for the veteran fisherman, will help you find all the finest fishin’ holes quickly. For the novice fisherman, the guides will also help you develop your skills as a fisherman. For further assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us via email or at 1-800-701-0809.
Fishing Related Links

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WV Fishing Guides

Twin Rivers Outfitters PO Box 28 Daniels, WV 25832 Phone: (304) 763-5044 (Local) Toll Free: 1-800-WVA-FINS (982-3467) Twin Rivers Outfitters offers trips on the Greenbrier and New rivers. They have a great guarantee and a variety of day trips and overnighters. Make reservations early! Cranberry Wilderness Outfitters 1 Park Place Richwood, WV 26261 Toll Free Phone: 1-800-848-8390 Cranberry Wilderness Outfitters provides trout fishing trips on the Cranberry, Williams, and Elk rivers. They also offer smallmouth bass fishing trips on the Greenbrier and Elk rivers. A limited series of fly fishing schools are available throughout the season. Private instruction is also available. Call for dates and prices.


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West Virginia Hunting
Hunting in WV is Wild and Wonderful!
West Virginia has long been known for having the best hunting in the east, and with a successful Wildlife Management Program, this is still true today. Our *WV cabins at Carnifex Ferry Cottages* are at the heart of two Wildlife Management Areas (WMA). Wildlife Management Areas *The Summersville Lake WMA* (5,974-acres) in Nicholas County is located three miles south of Summersville on US RT. 19. The terrain ranges from rolling hills to vertical rock cliffs. Primarily forested, this area offers hunting for deer, turkey, squirrel, and grouse. The fish population in 2,979-acre Summersville Lake includes smallmouth and largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, walleye, and channel catfish. Rainbow trout are occasionally taken. The tailwaters are also stocked with trout. Facilities available include picnic areas, restrooms, showers, trailer disposal stations, and hiking areas. A public archery range is also available. The area is owned by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and managed by the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources. *The Cranberry WMA* (160,990-acres) encompasses areas of Nicholas, Webster, Pocahontas, and Greenbrier Counties. State Routes 150, 39, 7, 48, and 46 provide access to the area. Located in the Monongahela National Forest, elevations range from 1,900 to 4,600 feet in mountainous terrain covered with mature hardwood forests. Hunting for bear, turkey, deer, snowshoe hare, and squirrel is very productive, as is trapping for raccoon, beaver, fox, mink, and muskrat. Summit Lake, 42-acres, North and South forks of the Cherry River, Williams River, and Cranberry River provide excellent trout fishing. The area contains the Cranberry Wilderness Area, totaling 35,864-acres. It is owned by the U.S. Forest Service.
Hunting Related Links



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Snow Skiing

Snow skiing is available at Winterplace Ski Resort, about a one-hour drive from your cabin at Carnifex Ferry Cottages. Winterplace has spent several million dollars in the last year or two upgrading and renovating their facilities. It is now one of the premiere snow skiing resorts in the southeast.

Horseback Riding

Nature Lovers

Hiking and Backpacking

Zip Lining and Canopy Tours

Rock Climbing: New River Gorge and Summersville Lake

Mountain Biking

Fishing in West Virginia

WV Fishing Guides

West Virginia Hunting

Wildlife Management Areas

Carnifex Ferry Cottages West Virginia Outdoor Activities

There are a wide range of outdoor activities available. Click the tabs to display activities.