Grant County from New Heights
Soaring into Fall
There’s nothing quite like fall in the Potomac Highlands. As the air turns crisp and the mountains blaze with shades of red, orange, and yellow, Grant County becomes a must-visit destination for leaf-peepers from near and far. A hike at Dolly Sods Wilderness Area or a climb to Spruce Knob provides front-row seats to some of the best fall foliage in the state. But if the view from the ground isn’t enough, there’s a whole new perspective waiting for you above the treetops.
Take Flight
Located in small-town Medley, Just Plane Adventures Lodging & Campground offers a one-of-a-kind way to experience fall foliage: flightseeing. Thanks to steady thermals and sweeping skylines, Grant County has become a favorite destination for aerial enthusiasts. Make the scenic drive—or fly in on the retreat’s private airstrip—and settle in at a cozy cabin, RV hookup, or tent site, then take advantage of Just Plane Adventures’ unique offerings: airplane rides, aerial photography, scenic flight tours, and even flight training.
From above, you can experience the Potomac Highlands’ changeably colorful landscape in all of its forms. In one direction, the valley stretches into miles of farm land. In the other, catch sight of mountain ridgelines thousands of feet above sea level. You can even spot the Spruce Knob–Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area. Look even farther and you might catch a glimpse of the towering plateau of Dolly Sods Wilderness Area.
Image courtesy of Just Plane Adventures
Stay Grounded
Prefer to keep both feet on the ground? Grant County has no shortage of ground-level leaf-peepin’ opportunities. That high plateau where Dolly Sods is has an ecosystem more typical to southern Canada, and the windswept tundra and rocky outcrops open into sweeping views. Wander along Seneca Rocks Trail and experience one of the most popular hikes in West Virginia through an autumnal lens, or make the climb to the observation platform for one of the most iconic vistas in West Virginia. Speaking of iconic views, head to Spruce Knob—the state’s tallest peak—for panoramic overlooks.
To truly immerse yourself in the beauty of Grant County during fall, take a two- to three-day backpacking trip along the North Fork Mountain Trail in Monongahela National Forest. Stop by one of the trail's most popular destinations, Chimney Rock, and snap some album-worthy shots of the sweeping ridgelines dotted with red spruce, balsam fir, and mountain ash.
Whether you’re soaring high above the valley or wandering through colorful canyons and ridgelines, fall in Grant County offers views you won’t soon forget. Come see the season from every angle and discover your perfect fall escape in the Potomac Highlands.