Discover Monroe County: Nature and History

Monroe County offers a range of experiences for your trip: nature at Moncove Lake and Peters Mountain, trails through the landscape, and historic churches, bridges, and museums. The specific distance and time estimates at Hanging Rock and on the Potts Valley Rail Trail can help you plan suitable outings. The historic sites focus on both early architectural history and the region’s memories of settlement, the Civil War, and enslavement.

Nature at Moncove Lake and Peters Mountain

Moncove Lake State Park is situated on 140-acre Moncove Lake. The park offers opportunities for fishing, swimming, camping, boating, and picnicking. This visit combines several activities around the lake and park. The Appalachian Trail runs through Monroe County for about 20 miles along the Virginia border and provides another prominent connection to the region’s landscape.

The Hanging Rock Tower, an old fire lookout tower, stands on Peters Mountain. The area is also interesting for birdwatching: most sightings take place during the fall migration, which lasts from mid-August through the end of the year. Birdwatching conditions can vary from year to year. If you plan your visit around migration season, keep in mind the seasonal nature of this experience.

Hiking and exploring trails

The hike from the parking lot to Hanging Rock is just under a mile long and has 350 feet of elevation gain. Depending on your pace, it takes 25 to 50 minutes. Trail conditions can vary, so take both the estimated time range and the elevation gain into account. These details give you a concrete framework for the outing without assuming a particular walking speed.

The Potts Valley Rail Trail is five miles long and has a packed earth surface. It runs from a point just inside the Virginia–West Virginia border to Waiteville. WV Route 17 connects the trail to the road network. Check local road and trail conditions before setting out. The Rural Heritage Quilt Trail follows scenic back roads in Monroe County and offers a different perspective on the region than the two trails with stated lengths.

Bridges, churches, and regional history

Laurel Creek Covered Bridge has the shortest span of any covered bridge in West Virginia. Indian Creek Covered Bridge is located on US 219 near St. John’s Church and is listed in the Monroe County Register of Historic Places. Together, the two bridges offer different points of interest: Laurel Creek Bridge is notable for its distinctive span, while Indian Creek Bridge is connected to a specific location and the register of historic places.

Old Rehoboth Church is the oldest Protestant church building west of the Allegheny Mountains. A visit to Rehoboth Church and Museum includes a tour of the old church and the museum. It is open from April 1 through October 31, Thursday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Check the opening hours again before you arrive.

The Monroe County Historical Society and Museum preserves stories and tangible artifacts related to pioneer settlement, the Civil War, enslavement, and courage and freedom in Monroe County. Another historical period is represented by Old Sweet Resort: from the late 1700s to the early 1930s, it was a mineral springs resort. Old Union Academy was built in 1819 and received its charter from the Virginia Assembly in January 1820. The two dates distinguish the year it was built from the date it was later chartered.

The mill and offerings at Indian Creek

Cook’s Old Mill is a mid-19th-century grist mill on Route 122, about a quarter mile west of Greenville, West Virginia. Visitors can explore the grounds, take photos, picnic, and fish in the mill pond. The mill may be opened by request, if someone is available. Arrange your visit in advance.

Old World Libations produces wines, mead, and cider along Indian Creek and offers tastings and events. Event dates can change, so check them in advance if a specific date is important to your trip. This lets you include the offering as a separate activity, while the trails, nature destinations, and historic sites provide other options for your stay.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Gap Mills, Upshur, Ohio, Barbour County, Mercer County, Harrison, Nicholas County, Wayne County.

For the overarching travel guide: West Virginia.