Hinton: Railroad Heritage and River Activities

When searching for a hotel in Hinton, railroad history, events, and activities on the water can offer different ways to shape your trip. In town, the museum, depot, and historic buildings tell different chapters of its history; trails, rivers, and Bluestone Lake add more to explore during your stay. The following points can help you plan your trip around the interests that matter most to you.

Railroad History and Historic Sites

The Hinton Railroad Museum preserves artifacts from the early years of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway and features model railroad exhibits. It also displays tools from the time of John Henry, the Steel Drivin’ Man. The museum brings early railroad history, models, and a specific historical connection together.

Hinton Depot is also closely tied to the railroad: it was built in 1905 as a division terminal for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway. The depot is Stop 19 on the African American Heritage Driving Tour, where the focus is on the migration of African Americans to West Virginia. Second Baptist Church is Stop 18 on the same tour, with a focus on segregation of African Americans. The present church building opened and was dedicated for worship on February 13, 1927.

Downtown Hinton is a National Historic District with 200 buildings. At the center of the historic district stands the Summers County Courthouse, completed in 1898. The Campbell-Flannagan-Murrell House dates to 1875. In-person and virtual tours of the house have been organized. If you plan to take a tour, check in advance which format is currently available. The Ritz Theatre hosts movies, theatrical performances, and live music.

Events Throughout the Year

Hinton Railroad Days celebrates the city’s railroad heritage every October. The WV State Water Festival brings visitors to Hinton every summer, with parades, live entertainment, fireworks, and family activities. The Festival of the Rivers combines traditional music with canoeing on the New River. The festivals offer different seasonal highlights: Railroad Days takes place in October, while the Water Festival is held in summer. Check the dates of the events you’d like to attend before your trip.

Water and Trails

Bluestone State Park is at the confluence of the Bluestone River and New River. Boating and fishing are possible there, and there are more than eight miles of hiking trails across ten trails. One trail initially follows a stream with several waterfalls, then runs along the Bluestone River past the campgrounds. Access may be restricted during high water. The Almost Heaven Swing offers a view over Bluestone Lake. A parking lot directly off Route 20 near Lilly’s Bridge provides access to the swing.

Batteau Beach at Hinton Landing includes a trailhead, river access, and a kayak launch. Nearby, the Big Branch Trail is a challenging 2-mile loop with streams, waterfalls, and views of the gorge and river. Big Branch Falls can be reached via a 0.7-mile hike from the trailhead. These are two different outing options: a challenging loop and a hike to the waterfalls.

Getting There and Planning Your Trip

Hinton is accessible via scenic WV Route 20 and is about 10 miles from the Sandstone-Hinton I-64 interchange, Exit 139. This approximate distance offers a point of reference for planning your drive; no travel time is specified. Hinton is described as a gateway to the New River Gorge National River. When choosing a focus for your trip, you can consider the railroad history and historic buildings in town as well as the events and water activities mentioned above.

Discover more destinations: Jumping Branch, Bluestone River.

For the overview of the wider region: Summers.