Discover Wayne County

Those considering Wayne County as a travel destination can plan around a wide range of interests: an annual Halloween tradition, lakes and trails, or forest and cultural attractions. The Kenova Pumpkin House adds a distinctive seasonal touch. Every year for Halloween, more than 3,000 hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns decorate the Victorian home.

Kenova’s Halloween Tradition and History

The Kenova Pumpkin House dates back to 1891 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Two different aspects make this site noteworthy: the history of the Victorian home and the pumpkin decorations that return each year for Halloween. If you are planning a trip around a seasonal event, this one is specifically tied to Halloween.

Dreamland Pool is another notable place in Kenova. It first opened in 1926. The facility includes an Olympic-size swimming pool and a shallow children’s pool. At Virginia Point Park, a large boat ramp provides access to the Big Sandy River and the Ohio River. Kenova’s offerings therefore appeal to distinct interests: the Pumpkin House represents architecture and a seasonal tradition, while the pool and river access offer other recreational options.

Lakes, Boating, and Trails

The lake at Beech Fork State Park covers 720 acres and has 31 miles of shoreline. The marina rents canoes, kayaks, Jon boats, pedal boats, and stand-up paddleboards. It is open daily from noon to 8 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The park also has 275 campsites, including 99 on the lake. In addition, the park has eight trails totaling more than 14 miles for hikers and mountain bikers.

At 1,005 acres, with 44 miles of shoreline, East Lynn Lake is larger than the lake at Beech Fork State Park by both measures cited. Marked walking trails are located at the Visitor’s Center, Lakeside Recreation Area, Lick Creek Launch Area, and East Fork Camping Area. The 1.5-mile East Fork Trail starts at the East Fork Campground, which has 167 sites with electric and/or water hookups. From Wayne, East Lynn Lake is 12 miles southeast via State Route 37.

The two lakes therefore differ in size and in their specific trail and camping options. At Beech Fork, seasonal boat rentals are another key feature alongside the trails; at East Lynn Lake, several locations with marked walking trails are identified. If you want to plan your stay around a particular activity, it is worth keeping these differences in mind.

Forest and Trail Activities

Cabwaylingo State Forest covers 8,296 heavily forested acres. The Cabwaylingo Trail was the first trail in the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System located in a West Virginia state forest. The trail offers ATV, UTV, 4×4, and dirt bike riders nearly 100 miles of trails. The state forest also has nine miles of trails for cyclists.

The historic Tick Ridge Fire Tower, built in 1935, is near the forest’s campsites. This makes the trail offerings and a structure with its own history two distinct aspects of Cabwaylingo State Forest. The routes mentioned serve different user groups; the nearly 100 miles for motorized vehicles and the nine miles for cyclists should not be considered equivalent offerings.

Appalachian Culture and Local Cuisine

Heritage Farm features Smithsonian-affiliated museums covering Appalachian history and heritage in seven themed buildings. These include the Progress Museum and the Transportation Museum. The Heritage Farm Nature Center offers hands-on activities focused on local wildlife. Village Vittles serves traditional Appalachian specialties. The museums, nature exhibits, and regional cuisine offer different reasons to visit.

There is a clear difference between two seasonal offerings when choosing when to travel: the pumpkin decorations at the Kenova Pumpkin House are part of Halloween, while boat rentals at Beech Fork State Park are limited to the period from Memorial Day through Labor Day. If one of these activities is the deciding factor for your trip, you can plan around the relevant dates.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Crum, Kenova, Gilmer County, Jefferson County, Ohio, Greenbrier, Lewis County, Cabell County

For the main travel overview: West Virginia.