Best of Mercer County: Winter Edition

Last updated: October 11, 2024

What’s “snowing” on? Mercer County’s best winter adventures! Wrap that scarf and get ready for fantastic hikes, cabins, plays and much more.

Winter wonderlands

Instagram isn’t the only place with awe-inspiring views; Mercer County has them, too! Frozen waterfalls, snowy valleys, and frosted mountains are yours to discover and photograph.

Here are some favorite snowy escapes:

• Hatfield-McCoy Trail: America’s largest off-road network crawls with more than 600 miles of ATV paths. Mercer County’s Pocahontas Trail begins in Bramwell and is one of the longest contiguous routes within the system.
• Camp Creek State Park and Forest: showy waterfalls, ridgeline trails and silent forests enhance every hike. The park is right off I-77, too.
• Brush Creek Preserve: accessible yet secluded, this Athens wilderness boasts a 25-foot-high cascade.

Ski, snowboard, snow tube, sleep. Repeat.

When snow carpets the mountains, head to Winterplace Ski Resort in Ghent. It has 27 slopes, more than a quarter of which are for beginners. You also get a base elevation of 2,997 feet.

Winterplace isn’t just for ski bums, though. The resort has terrain parks and West Virginia’s biggest snow tube area— 18 lanes of downhill bliss, complete with carpet lifts. Restaurants and nighttime winter sports add to the magic.

It’s more fun than you can pack into a single day. Book a cozy cabin at the resort for a weekend vacation! Mercer County also has affordable hotels that are close to Winterplace.

Cozy cabins

Nothing beats the warmth of a crackling fire, deep in the heart of winter— especially when rentals are heavily discounted. That’s right! It’s low season in Mercer, which means cabins are more affordable than ever.

Score deals at places like:

• Brushcreek Falls RV Resort (Princeton): convenient to Winterplace Ski Resort and the Hatfield-McCoy Trails (no direct trail access), this new attraction has comfortable efficiency cabins.
• Buffalo Trails (Bluewell): bring yourself or 15 other friends and family members! This attractive resort has comfortable cabins and cottages, plus a restaurant.
• The Country Cabin Farm Retreat (Princeton): nestled on a 60-acre farm in the Bluestone Valley, this historic home makes relaxation easy.

How are you going to spend winter in Mercer County?