Southern West Virginia in September

April through October gives you the best weather, but each season serves different adventures. Spring brings wildflowers and moderate temperatures perfect for hiking, though rivers run high and cold from snowmelt. Summer means peak whitewater season. The Gauley River releases happen in September and October — this is when serious paddlers make pilgrimages here. Book rafting trips months ahead for Gauley season. Fall delivers the postcard scenery everyone expects from Appalachia. Peak foliage hits in early to mid-October, but crowds follow. Campgrounds book solid, and traffic crawls on scenic routes. Winter shuts down most outdoor activities, though cross-country skiing works when snow cooperates. Many outfitters close, and mountain roads get dicey. But if you want solitude and don't mind cold, winter has its own stark beauty.