Ecological Exploration & Riverfront Discovery
Follow the Flow
Begin your adventure in beautiful Berkeley Springs with nature-inspired relaxation. Think lush, green forest hikes, winding rivers, and mineral springs that let the natural world do the healing. Then feed your need for wildlife experiences, deep woods wandering, and peaceful paddle trips in Hampshire County. Finish your stay with a trip to Mineral County and Keyser, where riverfront access and scenic overlooks offer a great taste of the Highlands.
This itinerary is perfect for bird watchers, stream splashers, and those who find their happy place under the trees. Whether you want to paddle a hidden waterway, explore nature preserves, or just sit quietly and watch the wildlife go by, you’ll find moments of awe and serenity all along the way. You’ll leave recharged and reconnected—by water, wind, and wilderness.
Morgan County
2 Nights
Stay
Camp Potomac Peak
Experience luxury glamping at Camp Potomac Peak, perched above Prospect Peak—hailed by National Geographic as one of the top five scenic vistas in the Eastern United States. Enjoy panoramic views spanning three states and two rivers.
📍3865 Cacapon Road, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
📞703.869.6968
Firefly Ridge Retreat
Just 10 minutes from Berkeley Springs, Firefly Ridge’s glamping resort features oversized canvas tents with plush beds, private fire pits, and modern comforts. Pet‑friendly and family‑oriented, it sits amid wooded hills along the Cacapon River, great for kayaking and wildlife watching.
📍9225 Cacapon Road, Great Cacapon, WV 25422
📞304.901.4001
Mountain Life Inn
Housed in a restored 1898 home on the C&O Canal towpath, this intimate inn offers four themed suites with private baths, full kitchens, and modern amenities—perfect for river‑trail exploration.
📍 202 W Main St, Paw Paw, WV 25434
📞 304.947.7015
Do
Berkeley Springs State Park & Roman Bathhouse
For thousands of years people have gathered here to soak in the healing mineral waters. The 74.3 degree water bubbles up from a deep aquifer heated by magma beneath the earth’s surface.
📍 2 S Washington St, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
📞 304.258.2711
Mineral Springs Trading Company
At 45 Fairfax Street, fill a branded glass bottle with pure spring water, browse local crafts, gourmet treats, and souvenirs—an interactive nod to Berkeley Springs’ protected aquifer heritage.
📍 45 Fairfax St, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
📞 304.258.7890
Atasia Spa
Housed in a beautifully restored century-old building, the spa offers a range of services including massage therapy, facials, body treatments, and nail care. Guests can also enjoy amenities like a eucalyptus steam room and private whirlpool baths, all delivered with warm West Virginia hospitality and Asian-inspired tranquility.
📍 41 Congress Street, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
📞 304.258.7888
Prospect Peak Overlook
Right over the mountain on Route 9, you will find yourself at Prospect Peak Overlook. This epic view shows the confluence of the mighty Cacapon and Potomac Rivers and was listed as one of the top views in America by National Geographic and was listed as one of the top five scenic vistas in the Eastern United States.
📍 3299 Cacapon Rd, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
Cacapon River Outfitters
Float or kayak a scenic stretch above Largent Bridge, just minutes from Berkeley Springs. Gentle currents, fishing spots, and forested banks offer prime wildlife viewing on this family‑friendly river excursion.
📍14 Stoney Creek Rd, Great Cacapon, WV 25422
📞 304.258.4444
Eat and Drink
Fairfax Coffee House
Start with artisan espresso, specialty lattes, and breakfast quiches in a bright, park‑view cafe. Free Wi‑Fi and cozy seating make this a favorite pre‑adventure stop.
📍 23 Fairfax St, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
📞 304.258.8010
Charlotte’s Cafe
It’s breakfast all day at this family‑friendly diner, including home‑style dishes, fresh‑baked pastries, and gluten‑free options. Sit indoors or out and enjoy the laid‑back vibe.
📍 46 Independence St, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
📞 304.258.5353
Berkeley Springs Brewing Company
Raise a glass of spring-water ale in this laid-back taproom, where trivia nights, pub fare, and live music celebrate local craft and community.
📍 110 Michigan Ln, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
📞 304.258.3369
Hampshire County
1-2 Nights
Stay
Buffalo Gap Retreat
Nestled in the Potomac Highlands of Capon Bridge, WV, Buffalo Gap Retreat offers eco-friendly cabins, campsites, and event spaces. Enjoy a spring-fed lake, sauna, hiking trails, and a vibrant pavilion.
📍 229 Cool Creek Rd, Capon Bridge, WV 26711
📞 202.422.7540 / 304.359.4884 | 🌐 buffalogapretreat.com
Lazy Bear Retreat
Nestled along the serene Cacapon River in Hampshire County, Lazy Bear Retreat offers a cozy, rustic cabin experience. Enjoy kayaking, stargazing by the fire pit, and tranquil wildlife sounds—perfect for a romantic couples’ getaway.
📍 Capon Bridge, WV
🌐Airbnb
Do
Ice Mountain Preserve
Guided-only hikes reveal this 149‑acre “nature’s ice box,” arctic plants live on talus slopes. A National Natural Landmark rich in ecological and geological wonders, Ice Mountain Preserve is a naturalist’s paradise. To schedule a tour, please call 304-496-7359.
📍 North River Mills, WV
📞 304.637.0160 (The Nature Conservancy) | 🌐https://bit.ly/ice-mountain-preserve
Pin Oak Fountain
This historic roadside spring in Capon Bridge offers a picturesque picnic spot. Fill bottles at the 19th‑century fountain, once the town’s main water source, amid tranquil village scenery.
📍 CGQX+F8 Paw Paw, West Virginia
Edwards Run Wildlife Management Area
Trails wind through oak‑hickory forests, leading anglers to stocked streams for fly fishing adventures. Bird watchers relish sightings of warblers, woodpeckers, and wild turkey in this serene wildlife management area.
📍 8H93+9H Capon Bridge, West Virginia
📞 WV DNR: 304.822.3551
Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad
Board a vintage train for a three‑hour, 35‑mile round trip through The Trough, a remote gorge where bald eagles and herons nest on cliffs above the South Branch Potomac. Enjoy trips with meal services as well as seasonal themed excursions.
📍 149 Eagle Dr, Romney, WV 26757
📞 304.424.0736 | 🌐potomaceagle.com
Flying Buck Distillery
This farm-based distillery in Augusta crafts small-batch spirits using traditional recipes and ingredients grown right on the farm. It’s a true taste of Appalachian heritage, offering tours and tastings in a laid-back, rustic setting.
📍 13841 Northwestern Pike, Augusta, WV 26704
📞 304.359.1120
Eat and Drink
El Puente Mexican Restaurant
Offering authentic Mexican cuisine in a friendly atmosphere, El Puente is a local favorite for flavorful dishes and warm hospitality.
📍 2902 Northwestern Pike, Capon Bridge, WV 26711
📞 304.856.1178
Farmer’s Daughter Market & Butcher
A full‑service butcher and market in Capon Bridge offering sustainably sourced meats, house‑made charcuterie, local cheeses, and pantry staples—ideal for a gourmet picnic or deli‑style dinner.
📍 2908 Northwestern Pike, Capon Bridge, WV 26711
📞 304.856.2550 | 🌐farmersdaughterwv.com
The Café at Slanesville General Store
A cozy spot with big-town flavor, this café is known for comfort classics—think burgers, sandwiches, and crispy fries—served with warm, small-town hospitality.
📍 100 North Main Street, Slanesville, WV 25444
📞 304.496.1177 | 🌐slanesvillestore.com
Mineral County
Day Trip
Do
Jennings Randolph Lake
This 1,500‑acre reservoir straddles West Virginia and Maryland, offering fishing piers, wildlife‑viewing platforms, and picnic shelters. Interpretive signs highlight its role in regional water conservation and habitat protection.
📍 Mineral County, WV (border with Maryland)
📞 304.355.2346
Waffle Rock
At the lake’s edge, this hexagonal sandstone formation resembles a giant waffle. A short trail and interpretive marker reveal its puzzling geology and the area’s ancient sedimentary history.
📍 Near Jennings Randolph Lake
📞 304.355.2346
Allegheny Wildlife Management Area
Spanning 6,202 acres, this wildlife management area features oak–hickory forests and rolling ridges. Trails and gravel roads offer hikers and birders views of native songbirds, deer, and wild turkey.
📍 Off US-50, near Ridgeville, WV
Pinnacle Knob Fire Tower
Climb 130 feet to reach a 3,100‑foot‑high overlook. One of the few remaining fire towers, its panoramic deck rewards hikers with sweeping West Virginia vistas.
📍 Near Ridgeville, WV
Oldtown Toll Bridge & C&O Canal Towpath
Cross into Maryland on the 1835 iron truss toll bridge, then stroll the historic canal towpath—a living museum of 19th‑century waterway transportation.
📍 Green Spring Rd, Oldtown, MD 21555
Eat and Drink
North Branch Brewing Co.
In Keyser, this veteran microbrewery showcases 14 rotating taps—IPAs, stouts, and seasonal brews—paired with gourmet hot dogs, loaded fries, and house‑made desserts in a friendly riverside taproom.
📍 28 N Main St, Keyser, WV 26726
📞 304.359.5001
Other Itineraries
Our thoughtfully crafted itineraries to help you soak up the soul of the Potomac River Highlands as you wander, wonder, and unwind.
Peaks & Potomac
A Refined Retreat in the Highlands
Highland Harmony
Wellness, Adventure & Local Flavor
Treasure Trails
A Curated Shopping Adventure