Across West Virginia’s vast Monongahela National Forest, a dozen small towns hold big stories, spanning from remote settlements on the Appalachian frontier to railroad boomtowns and living proof of one of the most remarkable ecological recoveries in the world.

Today, they are your gateways to the best trails, waterfalls, and overlooks in the Mountain State, with everything you need for a family-friendly afternoon hike or a weeklong backcountry expedition.