MC
Almost HeavenVisit Mercer County
Beyond the county line

Great day trips from Mercer County.

Autumn light over Pinnacle Rock — one of countless overlooks within an easy drive.

Beyond the county line

Base here, adventure everywhere.

Base yourself in Princeton or Bluefield and these bucket-list adventures are all an easy drive away — a world-famous gorge, a mountaintop lookout tower across the Virginia line, and a resort state park with an aerial tram.

National Park · ~1 hr 15 min

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

America's newest national park is roughly 63 miles north of Princeton — about 1 hour 15–20 minutes via I-77 and US-19 to Fayetteville and the iconic New River Gorge Bridge. Whitewater rafting, hiking, climbing and the Canyon Rim overlook boardwalks make it an unbeatable day out.

~63 miFrom Princeton
1h 15mDrive via I-77 / US-19

🍁 Going in September?

This is prime time. Here's how the season stacks up:

  • Fall color just begins in late September, peaking early-to-mid October — the earliest color shows on the high ridgelines.
  • Gauley Season whitewater releases start the Friday after Labor Day and run about six weekends — some of the biggest rapids in the East.
  • Note: Bridge Day (the one day cars are stopped and BASE jumpers leap off the bridge) is the third Saturday in October, not September — plan accordingly.
Directions from Princeton ↗
Cross-border (VA) · ~1 hr

Big Walker Lookout — Walker Mountain, VA

Head south on I-77 through the East River Mountain Tunnel into Virginia and you'll reach Walker Mountain, home of the Big Walker Lookout — a 100-foot observation tower with sweeping views of up to five states on a clear day, plus the historic Big Walker Country Store. It's about an hour from Bluefield via I-77 south toward Wytheville.

Good to know: the tower is seasonal (typically spring–fall) and sits on the Big Walker Mountain National Scenic Byway. This is a Virginia stop just over the state line — a fun add-on if you're already exploring Bluefield's twin-city border.

100 ftObservation tower
~1 hrFrom Bluefield (I-77 S)

Heads up: the famous "Almost Heaven" swing is not here — that's at East River Mountain Overlook above Bluefield. Walker Mountain / Big Walker Lookout is the mountaintop tower across the VA line.

Directions from Bluefield ↗
Resort State Park · ~30 min

Pipestem Resort State Park

Just across into neighboring Summers County — about 30 minutes from Princeton — Pipestem is West Virginia's flagship resort state park. Its aerial tram descends roughly 3,600 feet into the Bluestone River Gorge to Mountain Creek Lodge, and there's an 18-hole championship golf course, a zipline canopy tour, horseback riding and an indoor pool at McKeever Lodge.

~30 minFrom Princeton
TramTo gorge floor
18-holeGolf course

Plan your visit

3405 Pipestem Drive, Pipestem, WV 25979 · (304) 466-1800. The tram and some activities are seasonal — check current hours before you go.

Directions from Princeton ↗
Coal heritage · ~20 min & ~40 min

Go underground: two exhibition coal mines

This is coal country — and you can walk (or ride) straight into the history that built it.

  • Pocahontas Exhibition Coal Mine — about 20 minutes from Bluefield/Bramwell, just over the line in Pocahontas, VA. One of the nation's first exhibition mines (opened 1938); walk into the seam alongside a museum and the historic opera house.
  • Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine — about 40 minutes north of Princeton in Beckley, WV. Ride a "man car" deep into a restored mine led by veteran miners, then explore a re-created coal camp with a church, schoolhouse and museum. Seasonal (roughly April–November) — bring a jacket, it stays cool underground. Pairs perfectly with a New River Gorge day.
~20 minPocahontas (VA)
~40 minBeckley (WV)
Directions to Pocahontas mine ↗
Winter · ~25–30 min

Winterplace Ski Resort

When the snow flies, southern West Virginia's largest ski resort is a short hop north in Ghent, WV — downhill skiing, snowboarding and one of the state's biggest snow-tubing parks, all an easy drive up I-77.

100 Old Flat Top Mountain Road, Ghent, WV 25843. Seasonal (typically Dec–Mar, weather permitting) — check conditions before heading up.

Directions from Princeton ↗
Interactive map

Explore the region.

Every marker opens a photo, a few things to do, and a one-tap link to find dining nearby. Gold pins are Mercer County towns; navy stars are marquee destinations and day trips. The map loads as you scroll, so the page stays fast.

Map loads as you scroll — keeping the page speedy.

Map pins are approximate and intended for trip planning. Always confirm access, hours, fees and conditions before visiting. Dining links open Google Maps. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Campus visits

Colleges & universities nearby.

Touring schools or just love a pretty campus? Mercer County has three of its own, and two major Virginia universities are a short drive away — Virginia Tech in Blacksburg is only about 45 minutes out.

Athens, WV · ~15 min

Concord University

The "Campus Beautiful," perched on a mountain plateau in Athens — one of the prettiest campuses in the state.

concord.edu ↗
Bluefield, WV · in town

Bluefield State University

Historic public university (a founding HBCU) in the heart of Bluefield, WV.

bluefieldstate.edu ↗
Bluefield, VA · just over the line

Bluefield University

Private Christian university a mile across the state line in Bluefield, Virginia.

bluefield.edu ↗
Blacksburg, VA · ~45 min

Virginia Tech

The Hokies' sprawling flagship campus is about 45 minutes away via US-460 East — a great half-day trip for prospective students and football fans.

vt.edu ↗ Directions ↗
Radford, VA · ~1 hr

Radford University

A scenic public university on the New River, about an hour east toward Blacksburg.

radford.edu ↗
Make a weekend of it

Fold a day trip into your itinerary.

Our AI planner can slot New River Gorge or Pipestem into a longer Mercer County trip — just tell it your dates and interests.

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