I used to live in Gauley Bridge, or near it anyway in Charlton Heights/Glen Ferris.. I know you can go roughly 20 miles on a four wheeler without ever seeing pavement. I've been rafting on the upper New River which was awesome, but the Gauley River is supposed to be better.. I don't think it's the right time of year though.. Plenty of Civil War historical places, as stated.. Probably the best things in the state, though, you wouldn't find on a map or planned tour..
I live 6 miles from the New River George Bridge. Bridge Day is in 2 weeks - Google it. The Gauley River season is in full swing and ends the same weekend as Bridge Day (October 16th).
Come rafting and walk the bridge. Fall is a great time to visit WV!
I'm a big fan of the Canaan Valley/Blackwater Falls area. A couple forest service roads in the area to entertain your jeeping side, and mountain bike trails abound. The area is also home to two local microbreweries. Mmmmm.
But you HAVE to come on a Mountaineer home gameday. Morgantown was just named one of the top 10 must-visit tailgating destinations in college football.
Lots of good things to see. Many of them are far enough offroad you will need a jeep to see them.
And you can go to a Marshall football game.
Good times abound.
West Virginia is actually a great state. People underestimate it and I hate when people say it's full of Rednecks, because it's not (although that depends on what part of the state you go to)
Both of my parents are from Parkersburg and we make a yearly trip to visit family still in Parkersburg. Parkersburg is a great area, it has a wide variety of people. It's town varies in living standards. You may be in the slumps 1 minute, make a right turn and you see a development of houses $500,000+.
Blennerhasset Island is a great place to visit too. It's located on the Ohio River, about 15 miles from Parkersburg.
While driving through Charleston, we always stop at an attraction called "Tamarak"
It's a great place to rest after a long drive, look at some cool things, and get some really good food.