Fall Foliage Day Trip through Greenbrier Valley

Many of our guests want to see the beautiful fall colors this time! Here’s a great day trip plan to drive a loop and see the best colors in the area! When heading out of town, stop at Amy's Market and get your breakfast, coffee, and a snack for later. 

Some tips: Cell coverage is sparse, so put the route in your phone before you leave town. Pack some snacks, as there aren’t many places to stop—but the ones up there are solid! I love audiobooks. Ask us for any recommendations about the area you are traveling in. 

Morning: Lewisburg to Beartown State Park

Start in Lewisburg and head north on 219 to Beartown State Park (about a 45-minute drive). Explore its short boardwalk trail, where you’ll enjoy stunning rock formations surrounded by vibrant autumn colors.

Late Morning: Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park

Drive about 20 minutes north on 219 to Droop Mountain Battlefield for sweeping fall foliage views from the lookout tower. The panoramic vistas over the rolling hills offer a perfect autumn backdrop. You must climb the tower to see the beautiful view! And don’t forget to take a picture in the swing and post it on your social media! Can you imagine being one of the soldiers marching along this route?

Afternoon: Highland Scenic Highway

Continue your journey to the Highland Scenic Highway. You’ll continue on 219 North till Mill Point. At this hard bend in the road, you’ll head left on 39 towards Cranberry Glades, Falls of Hills Creek, and The Highland Scenic Highway. Turn right on the Highland Scenic Highway (150), and you’ll head to the other end. There are a lot of beautiful views, but make sure you check out Big Spruce and Williams River Valley. Pack a picnic and enjoy lunch with views of the foliage. The Highway will end just north of Marlinton.

Late Afternoon: Cass Scenic Railroad

At the end of the Highway, continue north on 219 and then turn left on 66 towards Call. You’ll drive past Snowshoe Mountain on the way to Cass Scenic Railroad. It’ll take about 30 minutes to get to Cass when you get off the Scenic Highway. Stop in Cass at the Cass Company Store before heading back South to the Greenbrier Valley. You’ll want to note the North start of the Greenbrier River Trail. You’ll pass the terminus of the 73-mile trail back in Caldwell between Lewisburg and White Sulphur.

Evening: Back to Base Camp

Continue through Cass and head south on 92. Check out the Green Bank Observatory at this intersection if you want a slight drive-by detour. The Observatory is enough for its day trip, and more about that in another article. Head back to your place (just over an hour's drive), where you can have dinner and a drink. You’ll go through Frost and Minnehaha Springs heading south. This route home is through a different valley with fewer curves, and it’s neat to compare it to the 219 Route. End your day of leaf peeping with dinner at a local restaurant like Gustard's Bistro, The Humble Tomato, or The Livery Tavern.