Grant County: Cultural History and Hiking Trails

Grant County offers a range of reasons to visit: historic buildings and traces of military history, seasonal markets and festivals, train rides, and a multi-day hike. For planning purposes, these include fixed event dates, schedules that may change, and an explicitly multi-day trail option. This lets you combine culture, seasonal activities, and time outdoors, each with a different time commitment.

History and Seasonal Dates

The Old Courthouse is open to visitors from May through October on the last Saturday of each month, from noon to 3 p.m. Check visiting hours before your trip. The Farmers Market in Petersburg runs every Wednesday and Saturday from May through October; here, too, it is worth checking the specific dates in advance. The Spring Mountain Festival has been an annual tradition in Petersburg since 1982, though dates vary from year to year.

The Tri-County Fair lasts one week and takes place in summer. It began with local crafts, artisans, and food vendors. These events complement historic destinations with seasonal occasions whose timing you can take into account when planning.

Historic buildings include the Gormania Presbyterian Church, built in 1888. The Davis House dates to before 1840 and originally served as the Methodist church parsonage for traveling clergy. The Tannery House houses a museum about the history of the Petersburg Tannery. Fort Mulligan was built in 1863; some of its defensive structures are still visible, and the fort has a hiking trail. The history of Smoke Hole Caverns is connected to the Seneca, who used the front section of the caves to smoke game.

Train Rides and Trails

Potomac Eagle offers a scenic mountain train ride along the South Branch of the Potomac River. Potomac Eagle’s All Day Petersburg trip covers approximately 76 miles round trip through Moorefield to Petersburg. Since schedules may change, check departure times before your trip. The South Branch Valley Railroad runs along a 52.4-mile route from Petersburg to Green Spring. There, it connects with the CSXT main line to Cumberland, Maryland, and Martinsburg, West Virginia.

The North Fork Mountain Trail is suitable for a 2- to 3-day backpacking trip and is approximately 24 miles long. Its length and recommended duration give you two specific points of reference for estimating how much time to allow for this trip. Detailed maps of Dolly Sods and other hiking trails are available at the South Side Depot, a visitor information center. Since trail conditions may change, take them into account when planning your trip.

Products and Pick-Your-Own Options

Eagleview Lavender Farm grows several varieties of lavender and sells lavender and lavender products. Cherry Brook’s pick-your-own offerings include pumpkins, chrysanthemums, and sunflowers; seasonal availability may change. These two offerings have different focuses: Eagleview centers on growing and selling lavender, while Cherry Brook offers seasonal pick-your-own products.

Discover more destinations: Mount Storm, Raleigh, Greenbrier, Lewis County, Hancock County, Marion, Morgan, Jefferson County.

For the main travel overview: West Virginia.