You’ll need more than a day, or even a weekend, to take in all the breathtaking beauty of Hardy County! Why not relax and stay a little longer? Come and welcome spring to our mountains.
Day 1
Visit Wardensville Garden Market for coffee and a freshly baked pastry. Order a couple of sandwiches and macaroons to go for a picnic. Check out the nearby Lost River Trading Post for locally crafted and American-made items, as well as antiques, food products, and craft beverages.
Head out to Lost River State Park in Mathias for a scenic hike or horseback ride to Cranny Crow. Enjoy your picnic and the quiet mountain vista.
End your day with a candlelight dinner and a glass of wine at Guesthouse Lost River. Occasionally there is live music on Saturday nights.
Day 2
Start with a hearty breakfast at the Lost River Grill then visit the Lost River Artisans Cooperative for a unique handmade gift.
Venture over the Mountain Skyway (newly completed Corridor H) to Moorefield following the Civil War Trail markers.
While in Moorefield, order a burger and iced tea for lunch at O’Neill’s, then play a round of golf at Valley View. Visit West-Whitehill Winery or pick your own strawberries at Buena Vista Farms.
Fried chicken at Mullins 1847 is a terrific way to end your day. On select evenings, the restaurant will have live music, karaoke, or an open-mic night.
Day 3
Watch the morning mist lift off 17-acre Rock Cliff Lake and Trout Pond, the only natural lake in West Virginia and home to native brook trout. Don’t want to fish? Hike the trails around the lakes—these areas are great for bird watching, take along binoculars.
Before you head home, stop at the Lost River General Store for lunch and while you’re waiting, shop their eclectic offerings, including crafts, antiques, wine, and craft beer. We guarantee you’ll find a treasure to take home.
Photo Op!
Lost River State Park
Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937, Lost River State Park is located in the wooded mountains of Hardy County in the state’s Potomac Highlands. The park’s quiet 3,712 acres of woods provides a secluded getaway for nature lovers, with 26 fully furnished cabins for overnight guests and recreational amenities like biking, hiking, horseback riding, geocaching, tennis, and swimming. Lost River is known for its Cranny Crow overlook on top of Big Ridge Mountain, which offers a commanding view of five counties. The park is also home to the restored Lee Cabin, the home of Henry “Lighthorse Harry” Lee, a Revolutionary War general and father of Civil War General Robert E. Lee. As a result of broadband service expansion throughout West Virginia, the state park now has greater WiFi connectivity—the office and the Legacy and Classic cabins have 100mpbs internet service.
Visit https://wvstateparks.com/park/lost-river-state-park for more information or to reserve a cabin.
Stay a night or two—you might never want to leave …
INN AT LOST RIVER
This charming 1870s white clapboard farmhouse offers three immaculate guest rooms and two cheerful cottages that were once a springhouse and smokehouse. You can grab a quick bite to eat at the adjacent country store, peruse American handcrafts and local art, or enjoy craft beer or a bottle of wine. 7015 State Road 259, Lost River; 304.897.7000, theinnatlostriver.com
GUESTHOUSE LOST RIVER
Get away from it all at this award-winning inn, which includes 18 charming rooms, a billiards room, game tables, a breakfast room, an indoor Jacuzzi and steam room, a massage treatment room, and an out-of-this-world restaurant and bar that serves American-inspired dishes and libations in a farmhouse setting. 288 Settlers Valley Way, Lost River, 304.897.5707, guesthouselostriver.com
SOUTH BRANCH INN
Enjoy free internet, HBO, and continental breakfast at The South Branch Inn in Moorefield. Choose from a standard, queen, or king room or a suite with a Jacuzzi. You’ll even receive a free bowling pass to nearby South Branch Potomac Lanes and a free movie ticket to the local movie theater with your night’s stay. 1500 US Hwy 220 North, Moorefield, 800.856.9167, wvafun.com/southbranchinn
FIREFLY
This darling contemporary four-room motel has been transformed with modern amenities. Located in the heart of the beautiful Potomac Highlands, it is within walking distance of shops and restaurants in charming Wardensville. There’s no lengthy check-in process. When you reserve your room online, you are sent a 4-digit access code that serves as your room key. 30 West Main Street Wardensville, 304.874.3666, fireflyinnwv.com
VACATION HOMES
From a prefab Dwell home to rustic cabins to mountain top chalets, there’s a plethora of lodging options to choose from. For a complete list see visithardywv.com
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