Wyoming County: Mountain Scenery and Coal Heritage

Wyoming County combines rugged terrain with a coal mining heritage: rushing streams, towering mountains, and wild, forested areas define the landscape. At the same time, the county lies at the heart of the National Coal Heritage Area. The Coal Heritage National Scenic Byway runs through Wyoming County and offers numerous scenic overlooks and opportunities for historic sightseeing. Nature and coal heritage are therefore two distinctive themes to consider when planning a trip.

Landscape and Coal Heritage

Individual natural formations also give the region a distinctive character. Castle Rock in Pineville is a 165-foot sandstone cliff rising above the mouth of Rockcastle Creek. The combination of striking landforms and mining history can be seen at other sites as well: the remains of coal tipples, miners’ camps, and old mines in Wyoming County draw tourists.

History in Mullens and Itmann

In Mullens, the Caboose Museum is housed in Virginian Railway Company Caboose 307. It contains memorabilia from local residents. Several buildings in Mullens are also decorated with murals depicting local history. In Itmann, the Itmann Company Store and Office is listed in West Virginia’s National Register of Historic Places nomination records. Together, these places offer different insights into regional history, from community memorabilia to a designated historic building.

Twin Falls Resort State Park

Twin Falls Resort State Park was named for Marsh Fork Falls and Black Fork Falls, which are located within the park. The Pioneer Farm in the park gives visitors a glimpse into life on the American frontier. The trails and campgrounds are also practical points of reference for a stay in the park: there are 25 miles of trails across twelve different routes, as well as 50 campsites, 22 of which have electric hookups. These details describe different aspects of the park—its history, trails, and camping options.

Pinnacle Creek and Off-Road Tours

The Pinnacle Creek Trail is near the towns of Pineville and Mullens. It connects to the Warrior, Indian Ridge, and Pocahontas sections of the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System; these connections make longer off-road tours possible. The Pinnacle Creek trailhead has a parking lot of more than 2 acres. The trailhead is staffed and offers restrooms on site, as well as permits and merchandise. Along with the connected trail system, the trailhead’s facilities and services are practical points of reference for visitors.

Lakes and Fishing

Only electric motors are permitted on Horse Creek Lake. Fish species include trout stocked seasonally, as well as largemouth bass, sunfish, and catfish. Fishing at R.D. Bailey Lake includes largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass, walleye, tiger muskies, catfish, crappies, and various sunfish. The fishing information therefore has different points of emphasis: Horse Creek Lake has a motor restriction, while R.D. Bailey Lake has a broad list of species.

The visitor center at R.D. Bailey Lake sits 365 feet above the lake and offers views of the dam, the lake, and the surrounding forest. Boats can be launched at the lake’s Guyandotte Point Recreation Area. Scenic views, fishing, and boat launching are different aspects of the recreational opportunities at R.D. Bailey Lake.

Discover more destinations: Mullens, Cabell County, Lewis County, Hampshire County, Mingo County, McDowell County, Boone County, Pocahontas County

For the broader travel overview: West Virginia.