At a Glance
White Sulphur Springs sits at the southern gateway to the Monongahela National Forest, where historic resort luxury meets mountain wilderness. Home to The Greenbrier since 1778, this spa town offers Amtrak service, full-service amenities, and access to the 78-mile Greenbrier River Trail.
Visitors can explore Watoga and Beartown State Parks, hike into Big Draft Wilderness, fish Lake Sherwood’s 156 acres, or mountain bike through Greenbrier State Forest, all within a 30-minute drive.
The town’s restaurants, lodging options, and walkable downtown provide a polished basecamp for families and outdoor enthusiasts exploring the Greenbrier Valley’s state parks and national forest backcountry.
Places to Play
Itineraries
Stay
Downtown White Sulphur Springs pairs mountain elegance with a relaxed, welcoming spirit. Dine on farm-to-table cuisine, sip craft cocktails, or enjoy a casual meal after a day on the Greenbrier River Trail, then stay in boutique inns, charming B&Bs, or luxurious resorts that have defined Appalachian hospitality for centuries.
History
White Sulphur Springs has been a renowned destination for rest, recreation, and healing since the late 18th century, when travelers first began visiting its mineral-rich spring—believed to hold curative powers. By the early 1800s, the area had become one of the most fashionable resort communities in the country, drawing statesmen, Southern aristocrats, and international visitors to what would eventually become The Greenbrier, one of America’s most storied hotels. During the Civil War, the resort and surrounding grounds served as a hospital and military encampment, placing the town at a crossroads of conflict and recovery. After the war, White Sulphur Springs resumed its role as a national social center, hosting presidents, dignitaries, and travelers seeking mountain air and leisure. Today, the town blends its legacy of hospitality with a renewed focus on outdoor recreation, small-town revitalization, and its enduring place as one of West Virginia’s most historic travel destinations.
Sketch of the Greenbrier Hotel, White Sulphur Springs, W. Va. Cook, Roy Bird. West Virginia and Regional History Collection, West Virginia University Libraries.
Did you know?
Healing Waters
The bubbling mineral spring from which the town derives it name was already a popular outdoor recreation destination by the 1780s.
Basement Bunkers
The town’s famous Greenbrier Resort was once home to a top secret cold war fallout shelter for members of the US Government
Spawning Success
Established in 1900, the White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery is one of the oldest in the country, spawning millions of trout every year
