Half a mile of cascades, a reconstructed fort and a yeast roll baked with pepperoni: Marion offers very different ways to experience nature, history and regional food culture. Experiences range from hiking trails and kayaking opportunities to archives, historic memorials and a New Year’s Eve tradition.

Water and Trails

Valley Falls State Park is known for a series of cascades stretching over half a mile. It also has 18 miles of hiking trails. If you enjoy being on the water, the park offers both whitewater kayaking and recreational kayaking. You must bring your own watercraft and safety equipment. Trail conditions can change seasonally.

Dents Run Wildlife Management Area offers a different experience: it covers more than 1,000 acres and has two lakes and a shooting range. Hiking there is challenging, unmarked bushwhacking over rough terrain, not hiking on maintained trails. Check the area’s rules and facilities before visiting. Mannington Lake and Dents Run Lake offer warmwater fishing; stocked species include largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie and catfish. Fishing regulations and seasons can change.

Explore History

Prickett’s Fort State Park includes a reconstruction of the original fort, which served as a refuge during the colonial period. Prickett’s Fort overlooks the confluence of Prickett’s Creek and the Monongahela River. As a living history site, it offers costumed interpretation and demonstrations of colonial-era crafts; programming varies by season. Visitors can also tour the original 19th-century Job Prickett House. Historic craft workshops are held annually, including blacksmithing and basket weaving. Check the schedule before your trip.

The Marion County Rail Trail was completed in 1993, running from Prickett’s Fort to the corner of Winfield Street and Morgantown Avenue. Historical signs about coal mining history along the trail lead to the Monongah Mine Disaster Memorial. The memorial honors the 361 miners who died in the 1907 mining disaster. Barrackville Covered Bridge has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1981.

The architecture also tells different stories. Woodlawn Cemetery is home to a one-story abbey chapel in the Egyptian Revival style. Built between 1924 and 1929, it contains 200 burial chambers. The cemetery follows the Rural Cemetery landscape style: natural, park-like grounds and paved paths shape its appearance.

Archives, Museums and Music

The Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center is housed in a repurposed historic barn. It holds several archives on folklore and West Virginia authors. Through workshops, exhibitions and outreach events, the center serves the university and the wider public. Its programming also includes the Traditional Acoustic Jam, held on the last Friday of each month from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Check the schedule before your visit.

At the Marion County Historical Society and Museum, located in the former home of the county sheriff, an exhibit features a compass used in surveying what is now West Virginia. Docent-led tours are offered of the museum and its adjoining old jail; details and schedules may change. The Telephone Museum displays switchboards, pay phones, telephone booths, test boards and other telephone equipment. Its tours are led by people who have worked in the telephone industry.

The West Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum building opened in 1993. At the Sagebrush Round-Up, Saturday night begins with an open stage, followed by several hours of classic country music. As the schedule may change, it’s worth checking dates before your trip. Those interested in Civil War history can also explore the Marion County Civil War Trail, a self-guided historical tour. The accompanying guide covers seven Civil War markers in the county.

Pepperoni Rolls: Flavor and Tradition

Pepperoni Rolls are designated the official state food of West Virginia. A classic roll is a soft white yeast roll with pepperoni baked into its center. Fairmont baker Giuseppe “Joseph” Argiro is credited with inventing the pastry in 1927.

The West Virginia Pepperoni Roll Trail connects participating restaurants with a free digital pass. At each stop, visitors can check in using a code; participating locations and possible rewards may change. In Mannington, The Great Pepperoni Roll Drop is also part of the New Year’s Eve tradition: at midnight, a giant replica of a Pepperoni Roll is dropped. Event details may vary.

Go to the main travel overview: West Virginia.