If you love huge views, new perspectives, and unobstructed sunrises/sunsets (and don’t mind heights), then today’s post is for you! We’ve collected all the best observation towers around the state of West Virginia into one handy list. Have you climbed them all?
- Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory
Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory/Facebook Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory in Monroe County, West Virginia is perched on top of Peters Mountain and accessible via a 1.2-mile hike. It’s located along a hawk migration route, so look both up and out for some amazing views!
- High Knob Tower
Brittany Gordon/AllTrails High Knob Tower isn’t exactly in West Virginia (it’s on the border between West Virginia and Virginia, just on the Virginia side) but the trail to get there is! It’s a 2.7-mile hike to the tower, but well worth the reward at the end. Find the parking area in Brandywine, Pendleton County.
- Spruce Knob Observation Tower
Rebecca L/Tripadvisor You can drive right up to the top of the highest point in West Virginia: Spruce Knob. And at the top, you’ll find a short trail to the observation tower, which provides you with one of the best views in the state. Find it in Pendleton County.
- Thorny Mountain Fire Tower
West Virginia State Parks To see the views from Thorny Mountain Fire Tower, in Dunmore of Pocahontas County, you need to reserve an overnight stay there through the WV State Parks system - but that in itself is well worth the approximately $100 nightly rate! It’s a once in a lifetime experience.
- Droop Mountain Observation Tower
RoamingMountaineer/Tripadvisor The Droop Mountain Observation Tower is perched in the Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park in Pocahontas County.
- Olson Fire Tower
Ben Childers/Google Maps The top of the Olson Tower is closed, but you can still climb the stairs and get a great view of the Monongahela National Forest in Tucker County!
- Bickel Knob Observation Tower
Taira L/Tripadvisor Bickel Knob Observation Tower is another old fire tower you can still climb for a view. This one is located in Randolph County, just a 5-minute hike from an easily accessible parking area.
Which towers have you climbed, and what view was your favorite?
Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory/Facebook
Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory in Monroe County, West Virginia is perched on top of Peters Mountain and accessible via a 1.2-mile hike. It’s located along a hawk migration route, so look both up and out for some amazing views!
Brittany Gordon/AllTrails
High Knob Tower isn’t exactly in West Virginia (it’s on the border between West Virginia and Virginia, just on the Virginia side) but the trail to get there is! It’s a 2.7-mile hike to the tower, but well worth the reward at the end. Find the parking area in Brandywine, Pendleton County.
Rebecca L/Tripadvisor
You can drive right up to the top of the highest point in West Virginia: Spruce Knob. And at the top, you’ll find a short trail to the observation tower, which provides you with one of the best views in the state. Find it in Pendleton County.
West Virginia State Parks
To see the views from Thorny Mountain Fire Tower, in Dunmore of Pocahontas County, you need to reserve an overnight stay there through the WV State Parks system - but that in itself is well worth the approximately $100 nightly rate! It’s a once in a lifetime experience.
RoamingMountaineer/Tripadvisor
The Droop Mountain Observation Tower is perched in the Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park in Pocahontas County.
Ben Childers/Google Maps
The top of the Olson Tower is closed, but you can still climb the stairs and get a great view of the Monongahela National Forest in Tucker County!
Taira L/Tripadvisor
Bickel Knob Observation Tower is another old fire tower you can still climb for a view. This one is located in Randolph County, just a 5-minute hike from an easily accessible parking area.
For more beautiful views that don’t necessarily involve towers, check out some West Virginia mountain summits you can drive right up to here.
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Address: Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory, Union, WV 24983, USAAddress: Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park, 683 Droop Park Road, Hillsboro, WV 24946, USAAddress: Dunmore, WV 24934, USAAddress: Bickle Knob, West Virginia 26241, USAAddress: High Knob Trail, Eastern, WV 26802, USAAddress: Forest Rd 717, Hambleton, WV 26269, USAAddress: Spruce Knob, West Virginia 26814, USA
