In 1769, pioneer Ebeneezer Zane established a claim in what would become Wheeling, Virginia. Other settlers began settling in the area in the late 1780s; the town of Wheeling was officially established in 1795. Fort Henry was constructed in the 1770s as a defense against Native American and British attacks; multiple conflicts took place around this historic fort. The construction of the National Road in 1818 led to population and shipping booms in Wheeling. During the Civil War, Wheeling hosted the convention that ultimately led to the formation of West Virginia as a Union state that separated itself from pro-secession Virginia. After the Civil War, Wheeling experienced an industrial boom that lasted through World War II. Today, Wheeling is home to roughly 27,000 thousand people who have been drawn to this city in the Appalachian foothills of West Virginia.
One great historic landmark to visit in Wheeling is the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, which was constructed in 1849; technical advances made during the construction of this bridge were later used to build the Brooklyn Bridge. Another fantastic historic location to visit in Wheeling is the West Virginia Independence Hall, which was where the Wheeling Convention was held during the Civil War. Shepherd Hall was built in 1798, making it Wheeling’s oldest surviving building. Other great historic locations in Wheeling include Eckhart House, Grave Creek Mound, and Centre Market.
If you want to have some fun in Wheeling, you should check out the Oglebay Resort. Top-notch golf courses, a zoo, and multiple pools await you. Another fabulous place to visit in Wheeling is the Wheeling Island Hotel, Casino, and Racetrack, which is home to a luxury hotel, a greyhound racetrack, and a casino featuring 2,000 slot machines and more than 60 table games. The Capitol Theatre is a historic building that has hosted numerous famous music acts and is the current home of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra. You could also visit the Victoria Theater, which is West Virginia’s oldest theater.
If you want to stay in the town of Wheeling itself, then you may want to camp at Burnt Mill Acres Campground. This RV campground on Short Creek features full hookups, back-in spots, cell reception, and Wi-Fi.
Just 20 minutes east of Wheeling is Creekside Camping, which is located in Triadelphia, West Virginia. Shaded campsites, a dump station, shower facilities, and a playground are some of the amenities you’ll find here. The fishing is also great here, thanks to the multiple creeks nearby.
If you’re looking for a campground on the Ohio River, then Kennedy Marina and Campground may be the right place for you. You can go fishing and canoeing on the river or explore the nearby nature trails.
Friendship Hill National Historic Site is an hour and 20 minutes southeast of Wheeling in Point Marion, Pennsylvania. The main draw here is the estate of Albert Gallatin, who was the Secretary of the Treasury during the presidencies of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. His estate became a haven for refugees of the French Revolution; it is still furnished with pieces from that period. When you’re finished touring the house, you can walk along the Monongahela River and view a statue of Gallatin.
James A. Garfield National Historic Site is only 35 minutes north of Cuyahoga Valley National Park, so you can easily visit this Mentor, OH attraction on your trip. James Garfield was America’s 20th president; this historic site includes his former home, his presidential library, and the surrounding grounds. Be sure to stop by the visitor center so you can learn more about the site and even buy a souvenir or two. You can also watch an 18-minute film about the life of this former American President.
About two hours east of Wheeling is the Flight 93 National Memorial, which is a tribute to the passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93, which was the fourth hijacked plane to crash on September 11, 2001. At the site, you can visit the Tower of Voices, which is a unique tower built with 40 wind chimes in honor of the victims. You can also explore Memorial Plaza, which contains 40 marble stones bearing the names of Flight 93’s crew and passengers. The Visitor Center houses multiple exhibits about Flight 93 and a bookstore.
The entrance to Wayne National Forest is approximately two hours southwest of Wheeling. This lovely national forest contains more than 250,000 acres of Ohio’s Appalachian foothills. The park’s 400 miles of multi-use trails can be explored on foot, from horseback, on a bike, or even from your OHV. A stretch of the Ohio River plus more than 500 acres of ponds and lakes provide numerous locations for fishing and boating. Another great place for water sports is Lake Vesuvius, which is a fantastic venue for swimming, boating, fishing, and camping. Hunting is allowed in most of the forest; a variety of camping options offer everything from primitive dispersed camping to quality RV camping.
Monongahela National Forest is two hours and 15 minutes southeast of Wheeling. This West Virginia national forest features rugged terrain that is ideal for mountain climbing, wilderness trekking, and backcountry camping. Backwoods roadways and railroad grades are perfect for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Fishing is popular here thanks to the forest’s hundreds of miles of streams and hundreds of acres of human-made lakes. Even the less adventurous can enjoy exploring some of this forest from the comfort of their vehicles due to the beautiful Highland Scenic Highway. Other easily accessible areas in Monongahela are the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center, Seneca Rocks Discovery Center, and the Falls of Hills Creek.
George Washington and Jefferson National Forests combined contain more than 1.8 million acres of forest land in three states. These national forests in Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky are home to roughly 2,200 miles of trails, 1,700 miles of roads, and 2,300 miles of streams. You can hike 325 miles of the Appalachian Trail here; you can also take advantage of 12 National Recreation Trails. One awesome place to visit here is the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, which is nearly 200,000 acres of RVer playland. Popular activities in this recreation area include fishing, hunting, hiking, biking, swimming, and cross-country skiing.
The entrance to Cuyahoga Valley National Park is about two hours and 15 minutes northwest of Wheeling. Ohio’s only national park is full of gorgeous waterfalls, vibrant forests, and 100 miles of the Cuyahoga River. Over 125 miles of trails take hikers, bikers, and horseback riders through woods, wetlands, ravines, and more. Other fantastic activities to do here include stargazing, golfing, kayaking, canoeing, and bird-watching.
New River Gorge National Park is roughly three and a half hours south of Wheeling. There are plenty of lovely places to hike and camp in this West Virginia park’s 70,000 acres. The New River itself is a premier destination for rafting, canoeing, and kayaking. Primitive RV campsites are available in the park; some of these are free. Don’t forget to check out the New River Gorge Bridge, which is the Western Hemisphere’s longest steel-span bridge. Other awesome places to visit in New River Gorge National Park include Sandstone Falls, Fayette Station Road, Nuttallburg, and Thurmond.
Three hours east of New River Gorge is Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. This sizable portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains is home to numerous streams, forests, peaks, and mountain vistas. Plenty of local plants and animals also call this 300-square-mile national park home. Whether you want to hike on the national park’s own trails or the famous Appalachian Trail, you’ll have numerous pathways at your disposal. Some of the park’s trails allow pets on them, so you’ll be able to take your four-legged friend on your trek if you choose the right path.
Barkcamp State Park is only 25 minutes west of Wheeling, so you won’t have to drive far into Ohio to reach this picturesque state park on Barkcamp Creek and Belmont Lake. The lake and creek provide a bevy of places to swim, fish, and boat; in the winter, they become excellent locations for ice fishing and ice skating. On dry land, plenty of hiking and biking trails wind through forests, hills, and rocky terrain. Fun wintertime activities you can do on the park’s trails and slopes include cross-country skiing and sledding. If you want to camp here, you can take advantage of one of the 150 RV sites that offer electric hookups.
You can reach Beaver Creek State Park by driving an hour north of Wheeling into Ohio. Little Beaver Creek is a fabulous place to go swimming, boating, and fishing. The Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center has multiple educational exhibits about local fauna. If you want to see a replica village from the pioneer days, then you should explore Pioneer Village. Multiple trails meander through this park’s more than 2,700 acres of lovely West Virginia countryside.
Another high-quality state park in Ohio is Salt Fork State Park, which is about 50 minutes west of Wheeling. More than 20,000 acres of land and water combine to form Ohio’s largest state park. Salt Fork Lake is a fantastic location for swimming, boating, and fishing. Several marinas and a sizable swimming beach provide numerous ways to enjoy Salt Fork Lake. Plenty of trails take hikers, bikers, and riders through some picturesque Ohio wilderness. The park also contains an 18-hole golf course, a nature center, and an archery range. Since this park boasts more than 170 RV campsites, it’s a great place to park your camper.
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 Wheeling, 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 Wheeling?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in Wheeling 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 Wheeling?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
