Scenic Sights this Fall Season
Pinnacle Rock State Park, Photo Courtesy of Sherman Cahal
Get your cameras ready because the picturesque mountains near Bluefield truly come alive during the fall. As the colors of the leaves change and this brisk time of year approaches, here are some spots that would be ideal for sight seeing and picture taking.
A fan favorite, but also the most local scenic location on this list, would have to be East River Mountain Overlook in Bluefield, West Virginia. Many believe that this is a must see for any Bluefield student, resident, or visitor, and it’s only a 10-minute drive from campus. This is a great spot for panoramic photos, especially during a sunset. It even has an “Almost Heaven” swing that you can use as a prop and a picnic area.
If you drive about 15 minutes from campus to Mercer County, West Virginia, you will find this beautiful, 374-acre state park. Pinnacle Rock is known for its 3,100-foot sandstone formation that makes an ideal location for picture taking. This park also holds a wooded area perfect for picnics, various hiking trails, and even a fishing lake.
About 40 minutes away in Wythe County, Virginia, is where you will find Big Walker Mountain. This awe-inspiring view is at an elevation of 3,405 feet and its true beauty is seen after climbing up the 100-foot lookout tower.
About 40 minutes from campus, near Mercer County and Summers County, you will find West Virginia’s largest state park. This location offers activities like zip lining, horseback riding, electric bikes, golf, swimming, mini golf, and many others. Pipestem also offers lodging, cabins, and a campsite. Because this location sits on the rim of Bluestone River Gorge, it truly gives a scenic view perfect for picture taking.
While this lake is primarily a fishing lake, it is a close-by and easily accessible location that is worth taking a 15-minute drive to Mercer County, West Virginia, to see. This small lake is surrounded by foliage that will come to life with color in the coming weeks.
While this location is a little bit more of a drive, if you are wanting to see a waterfall surrounded by the fantastic fall foliage, I would encourage you to make the hour-long trip to Giles County, Virginia. Here you will find the Cascades National Recreation Trail that is a four-mile round trip trail that leads to a 66-foot waterfall within Jefferson National Forest. You will also find fishing and picnicking areas at this scenic spot.
There are so many other notable spots near Bluefield, even just looking at East River Mountain from campus is gorgeous. So go outside, explore, and enjoy this fall’s foliage.