Road Trip Guide: Scenic Routes to Parkersburg & Ohio River Valley Drives

First things first—let's talk logistics. Parkersburg sits pretty where the Ohio and Little Kanawha rivers meet, making it a perfect hub for scenic drives in practically every direction. I'm not exactly a planner (just ask my mom about my high school homework habits), but even I know a road trip to West Virginia requires a bit more than throwing snacks in a bag and hitting the gas.

We drove from Anaheim, which was... ambitious. If you're coming from anywhere west of the Mississippi, I'd recommend flying into Pittsburgh, Columbus, or Charleston and renting a car. We scored an amazing deal on a mid-size SUV that had enough space for our luggage plus the seventeen stuffed animals Liam insisted were 'essential travel companions.'

For navigation, I've learned the hard way that relying solely on phone service in mountain regions is like expecting my son to pick broccoli over ice cream—wildly optimistic. Download offline maps before you go, and consider grabbing a road atlas as backup. Yes, I know that's peak millennial-mom-trying-to-be-practical energy, but you'll thank me when you're admiring fall foliage instead of staring at 'No Service' on your phone.

If there's one drive that'll make you want to write poetry (or at least post excessively on social media), it's the Ohio River Scenic Byway. This gorgeous stretch follows the Ohio River and offers views that had me pulling over approximately every seven minutes to snap photos.

Start in Parkersburg and head north on OH-7, hugging the river's curves like they're your favorite dance partner. The route takes you through quaint river towns like Marietta (which deserves its own stop—hello, adorable historic district!) and continues along the water's edge with constant jaw-dropping vistas.

When traveling with a seven-year-old who announces 'my legs need to move!' every half hour, strategic stops are non-negotiable. We loved Muskingum Park in Marietta for its riverfront playground and the Indian Mound Cemetery in Moundsville for its mysterious ancient earthworks (plus space for impromptu games of tag).

Pro tip: Pack a travel thermos filled with hot chocolate for those crisp fall mornings. There's something magical about sipping something warm while watching the fog lift off the river and the sun illuminate those fiery autumn leaves.

When Liam declared he wanted to 'see where the trains used to go,' I knew exactly where to head next. About 30 minutes east of Parkersburg lies North Bend State Park, home to a section of the North Bend Rail Trail that follows an abandoned B&O Railroad corridor.

The drive to get there is half the fun—take WV-47 east from Parkersburg through rolling countryside that looks like it's straight out of a storybook in autumn. The road winds through small towns and past farms where the hills are literally alive with color (sorry, couldn't resist the Sound of Music reference).

When you arrive at North Bend State Park, you'll find easy access points to the rail trail, which is perfect for a family bike ride or hike. We rented bikes at the park office, but if you're a frequent cyclist, bringing your own bike rack would be ideal for exploring multiple sections of the trail.

The coolest part? The trail features several historic tunnels, including the Silver Run Tunnel (which local legend claims is haunted—cue Liam begging to visit and then immediately regretting it). The tunnels are especially atmospheric in fall with the colorful leaves framing the entrances. Just be sure to bring headlamps if you plan to explore them, as they're unlit and can be quite dark even during daytime.

History buffs and island-lovers unite! This route combines driving and a boat ride, which made my son declare it 'the best road trip that's also a boat trip ever!' High praise from a seven-year-old who once rated the Grand Canyon as 'just okay' because there were no dinosaurs.

Start by driving the scenic loop around Parkersburg that takes you along both the Ohio and Little Kanawha Rivers. From downtown Parkersburg, head south on WV-2 along the Ohio River, then loop back north on WV-68 for constantly changing river views. The real treat comes when you return to Parkersburg and visit Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park.

From the mainland museum, you'll board a sternwheeler boat that ferries you to this fascinating island with a mysterious past (including connections to Aaron Burr's alleged treason conspiracy—yes, that Aaron Burr from the Hamilton musical, which I may have played for Liam approximately 500 times on this trip).

Once on the island, you can tour the reconstructed Blennerhassett Mansion and explore via foot or horse-drawn wagon. The island is particularly magical in fall, with the trees creating a golden canopy overhead. I recommend bringing a portable picnic blanket for an impromptu riverside lunch spot with views that'll make your friends back home question their life choices.

Let's be real—road trips with kids require strategic stops or you'll find yourself answering 'Are we there yet?' approximately 9,742 times. These unexpected finds made our drives much more enjoyable:

The Castle (Marietta, OH) - This Gothic Revival mansion looks like it teleported straight from Europe. Liam was convinced it housed actual knights, and I didn't correct him until after we'd taken the tour. The gardens are especially lovely in fall.

Holl's Chocolates (Vienna, WV) - Just north of Parkersburg, this Swiss chocolate shop makes treats that had both of us contemplating how many boxes we could reasonably fit in our suitcase. Their hot chocolate is liquid heaven on a crisp autumn day.

Henderson Hall Plantation (Williamstown, WV) - This perfectly preserved Victorian mansion sits on a hill overlooking the Ohio River. The fall colors surrounding it are chef's kiss, and the 30-minute tour is just the right length for antsy kids.

Mountwood Park - About 10 miles east of Parkersburg, this park offers hiking trails around a lake that reflects the fall foliage like a mirror. The abandoned oil boom town of Volcano within the park boundaries was Liam's favorite discovery—'a real ghost town, Mom!'

For keeping track of all these stops, I've become obsessed with my travel planner. It helps me organize our routes and Liam loves adding stickers to mark places we've visited. And since West Virginia mornings can be chilly in fall, our travel blanket has been clutch for early morning scenic drives when we're still in pajamas (don't judge—some sunrise viewpoints are worth the early wake-up).