WEST VIRGINIA

Stonewall Resort’s overnight accommodations range from rooms in the lakefront Adirondack-style lodge to cottages and campground sites, all surrounded by the wild natural scenery for which the Mountain State is known.

“When you are looking out from the [lodge] windows, you are seeing untouched wilderness that is just truly natural to West Virginia,” Thomas says. 940 Resort Dr., Roanoke, West Virginia 26447, 304/269-7400, stonewallresort.com

Ace Adventure Resort • Oak Hill

Located in the heart of West Virginia’s storied rafting country near New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Ace Adventure Resort is best known for its guided whitewater adventures. But that’s just the beginning of what this southern West Virginia adventure park promises.

“We do a little bit of everything,” says operations manager Chris Carnefix, as he rattles off a list of what’s available. “Guided hiking, guided mountain biking tours, overnight camping trips, rock climbing adventures. We have zip line tours here on our property.”

A big draw, understandably, is the rafting, and although it may seem an outing most suited for seasoned rafters, Carnefix is quick to point out that Ace Adventure Resort can accommodate paddlers of all skills levels — from a first timer all the way up to the most experienced river riders.

“The big thing is realizing rafting is as wild or as mild as you want it to be,” he says.

Guides take rafters on five different sections of river that offer everything from Class I (easy) and Class II (moderate) rapids on the upper stretches of the New River to Class V rapids (extremely difficult) on the Upper Gauley River.

Travelers looking for a combination of land and water can book one of the resort’s multisport adventures. With over 35 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a day of tackling the terrain before spending the night at the resort’s riverside campground and then raft-

Starry Nights

Check out these three International Dark Sky Parks in West Virginia that offer ideal locations for taking in the wonder of the night.

Watoga State Park

These 10,000 acres of land offer plenty of space to enjoy the wonder of stargazing. The park is also the hub of all of the state’s Dark Sky programming and events.

Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park

Droop Mountain was the site of one of the state’s largest Civil War battes. Today, its observation tower offers great views.

Calvin Price State Forest

This remote forest remains relatively untouched, providing a beautiful backdrop to the expanse of the night sky above.

For more information on these sites, visit wvstateparks.com.