Parkersburg, West Virginia has a rich history dating back to its foundation in 1810 by Colonel Ebenezer Zane. He built a cabin along the Little Kanawha River, and the town was officially incorporated in 1820. The city's location at the confluence of the Little Kanawha and Ohio Rivers made it a transportation hub, which helped it to grow rapidly. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Parkersburg experienced a boom during the oil and gas boom and again during World War II with the establishment of a large munitions plant.
Tourists visiting Parkersburg can explore the Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park, which features the restored mansion of Harman and Margaret Blennerhassett. The Blennerhassetts were early 19th-century settlers on an island in the Ohio River. Also, visitors can take a tour of the island, accessible by boat, to learn about the Blennerhassetts and their role in the region's history. Another popular attraction in Parkersburg is the Oil and Gas Museum, which highlights the history of the oil and gas industry in the region and its impact on the city.
Art lovers will enjoy visiting the Parkersburg Art Center, which showcases the work of local and national artists. Additionally, the Wood County Historical Center and Museum provides a comprehensive look into the city's history. Spend time at the Little Kanawha River and the North Bend Rail Trail State Park to enjoy hiking, biking, and boating. City Park is another popular destination offering walking trails, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
Parkersburg has several local restaurants to explore, like the Blennerhassett Restaurant, which is located in the historic Blennerhassett Hotel and offers American cuisine. Another alternative is the Parkersburg Brewing Company which serves locally brewed beer. Additionally, the city hosts various events throughout the year, such as the Oil and Gas Festival in June, the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra concert series, and the Parkersburg Homecoming Festival in September.
Pipestem RV Park and Campground in Pipestem, WV offers full hookup RV sites, showers, and Wi-Fi for $30 per night. Additional amenities include an on-site restaurant, a basketball court, and a playground. Pets are welcome at this campsite, but they must be kept on a leash at all times.
Pegasus Farm Campground offers pet-friendly accommodations in an area surrounded by remarkable landscapes. Pegasus Farm is also home to a grass maze and a place to explore the lush vegetable garden or relax and unwind in the pool and hot tub. With 20 RV sites, you can access full hookups, back-in and pull-through options, and Wi-Fi. The nightly rate is $32.50 for all RV sites.
Chestnut Ridge Park is a premier RV camping destination in West Virginia. The park offers a safe and welcoming atmosphere, with year-round facilities and activity programs for families to enjoy. With daily rates starting at $28, the park features 10 RV sites with full hookups, showers, pet-friendly accommodations, and Wi-Fi.
Forked Run State Park is a 791-acre park located on the border of Ohio and West Virginia. The park features a 102-acre artificial lake and offers fishing, hunting, boating, canoeing, and kayaking opportunities. Visitors can also rent watercraft from a concessionaire to use on the lake or launch onto the Ohio River. The park has 4 miles of hiking trails, some of which are challenging and offers a unique wilderness experience. Additionally, the park has a winter attraction, downhill sledding. Forked Run is located 3 miles south of Reedsville and 107 miles southeast of Columbus, Ohio.
Another exciting place to visit is North Bend State Park in West Virginia. Rolling hills and beautiful lakes and streams surround the park. It covers 2,459 acres along the North Fork of the Hughes River. Common outdoor activities to enjoy are wildlife viewing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and water activities. The North Bend Rail Trail, part of the American Discovery Trail, is popular among hikers. The 72-mile trail is suitable for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. In addition to the rail trail, there are 14 additional hiking trails and over 20 miles of single-track mountain biking trails. The park also features a 305-acre recreational lake with boat and canoe rentals.
Explore Strouds Run State Park, a 2,606-acre nature reserve near Athens, Ohio. It features the 161-acre Dew Lake and is mostly composed of deep ravines, narrow ridges, and steep hillsides. The park is home to second-growth forests that have been untouched for over a century. It is a popular spot for hiking, biking, boating, and fishing and is used by Ohio University's rowing crew. The park is located only 5 miles from Athens and is near Nelsonville, Amesville, and Coolville. Dew Lake is stocked with rainbow trout and other fish. During the winter, the hiking and biking trails are converted into cross-country ski routes.
Visit the Gauley River National Recreation Area in Victor, WV to experience whitewater rafting and other water activities. While here, explore Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park and enjoy fishing, swimming, and boating at Summersville Lake. The recreation area also offers rock climbing, hiking, horseback riding, and biking opportunities. Hiking and biking are common at the Hawks Nest Rail and Narrow Gauge Trail.
Hopewell Culture National Historical Park in Chillicothe, OH is a great camping spot for history enthusiasts and archaeologists. The park commemorates a group of indigenous people who once lived in the area and features five earthwork sites and historical mounds. Visitors can also hike on trails such as Seip Earthworks and Hopewell Mound Group and visit historical sites like Adena Mansion, Garden Historic Site, and Mighty Children's Museum.
Friendship Hill National Historic Site, located 3 miles from Point Marion, features an estate built by former United States Treasury Secretary Albert Gallatin. The site, established in 1976, was home to Europeans who fled the French Revolution and offers hiking trails such as Friendship Hill Hike and Cheat Lake. Visitors can also explore the James Jones House and Gallatin Estate Winery and visit the Palace of Gold and Morgantown Glass Museum to view historical art pieces made from glass.
If you're a nature lover, consider visiting Wayne National Forest in Nelsonville, OH. The forest covers over 1 million acres and is home to raptors, fish, reptiles, coyotes, beavers, deer, bobcats, and turkeys. With over 400 miles of trails, there are plenty of opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and biking. Hunting and geocaching are permitted within the park, and visitors can fish in the forest's lakes or enjoy the sky on clear nights. RV campers can access amenities like electric hookups, showers, game courts, a dump station, and a playground.
Another great option is Monongahela National Forest in Elkins, WV. This diverse forest is home to numerous plant and wildlife species. Visitors can try biking and horseback riding on trails like North Fork Mountain, Red Spruce Knob Trail, and Hoye Crest Trails. Hike along Cheat Junction and High Falls Trails to reach swimming areas around High Falls. You may also walk along Table Rock's in-and-out trail while enjoying beautiful views of wildflowers. The forest's rivers and lakes are great for boating and fishing.
George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, located in Marion, Virginia, is another fantastic place to explore the great outdoors near Parkersburg. The forest area offers geocaching and stargazing opportunities, as well as the chance to view over 200 bird species, 60 mammals, and 2,000 plant species. Hike near Bealers Ferry Pond and see Great Blue Herons, geese, and ducks. Fish for trout in the Bark Camp Recreation Area lake and other lakes, ponds, streams, and rivers within the forest. Wheelchair users can also enjoy fishing in the fishing holes located in the Interior Whistle Stop Day Use Area.
New River Gorge National Park is a natural wonder that rivals the grandeur of the Grand Canyon and Columbia River Gorge. Carved by the soft but persistent power of flowing water over eons, the park encompasses a vast 70,000-acre stretch of wilderness, teeming with land and water-based recreation opportunities. Located an hour from Charleston, in the heart of south-central West Virginia, New River Gorge is home to the majestic New River, which winds through a breathtaking canyon surrounded by lush Appalachian greenery. You can hike, fish, or enjoy whitewater rafting at this national park. July is the wettest month, but precipitation can occur year-round.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park is located in Ohio and is the state's only national park. It features 100 waterfalls, including the 65-foot-tall Brandywine Falls. The park is situated along the Cuyahoga River and offers diverse terrain, including forests, hills, ravines, wetlands, and rivers. With over 2.2 million recreational visits per year, it is one of the most popular national parks in the United States. Visitors can enjoy hiking on 125 miles of trails, canoeing, and kayaking on the 100-mile river, or take a scenic railway ride. Visitors can also explore the nearby cities of Akron and Cleveland or smaller towns and villages within the park. There are regularly scheduled events and activities like bird watching, fishing, picnicking, star viewing, golfing, horse riding, and biking.
Shenandoah National Park is a beautiful mountain retreat a few hours' drive from Washington, D.C. The park is home to various plants and wildlife, and the terrain includes forests, waterfalls, and tall mountain peaks. A popular feature of the park is Skyline Drive, a scenic route that runs over 100 miles and offers breathtaking landscape views. There are hiking trails throughout the park that allow visitors to explore the area more deeply. The trails include a section of the famous Appalachian Trail. It is ideal for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, fishing, and horseback riding. The weather in Shenandoah can be quite unpredictable, so it's important to check the forecast before planning any outdoor activities. The park is accessible from nearby cities and towns, including Harrisonburg, Waynesboro, Sperryville, and Front Royal.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in Parkersburg, WV, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Parkersburg?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Parkersburg from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in Parkersburg?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.