Best Time to Visit West Virginia National Parks
West Virginia has 6 National Park Service units that report visitation. Below, each is ranked by annual visits, with the month our data recommends for the best balance of light crowds, comfortable weather and daylight. Crowds peak in summer almost everywhere — the recommended months show where the quieter shoulder seasons fall.
| Park | Annual visits | Best time | Busiest | Quietest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AppalachianNational Scenic Trail | 6,215,118 | September | Jul | Feb |
| Chesapeake & Ohio CanalNational Historical Park | 4,579,704 | February | Jun | Jan |
| New River GorgeNational Park & Preserve | 1,958,440 | September | Jul | Jan |
| Harpers FerryNational Historical Park | 537,876 | September | Jul | Jan |
| Gauley RiverNational Recreation Area | 213,596 | May | Sep | Jan |
| BluestoneNational Scenic River | 12,446 | May | Jul | Jan |