— you’re looking for somewhere people can reconnect.

In McDowell County, reunions feel different.

They stretch across a weekend.

They happen on porches, in open fields, beside water, and under mountain skies.

They feel less like events… and more like coming home.

Whether you’re planning a family reunion, class reunion, church gathering, or group retreat, here

are ten places that offer the space, setting, and atmosphere to bring people together.

All of these venues offer local lodging either onsite or nearby. Don’t drive hours to see your friends

and family and then drive another hour or more to get to the reunion — stay local.

Berwind Lake – Near War, WV

A Lakeside Reunion Destination with Cabins & Pool

Berwind Lake creates a true reunion experience — not just a gathering.

Make sure to reserve your favorite picnic shelter to host your event.

If spending as much time as possible with family is your idea of a perfect reunion. Families can spread out across cabins while still staying close. Kids can swim in the seasonal pool, adults can relax by the lake. Bring your fishing pole and catch a trout to throw on the grill or bring your kayak or electric motor boat if being on the water is your thing. At the end of the day everyone can come together for meals and activities.

Amenities:

• 6 one-bedroom cabins

• 6 two-bedroom cabins

• 3-bedroom trailer

• Seasonal swimming pool

• Lake access for fishing and relaxing

• Open space for tents and group events

• Outdoor grills

• Fire pits

Best For: Summer reunions with mixed age groups and weekend stays. You can book your shelter or cabins online at Berwind Lake Cabins.

Panther State Forest - Panther, WV

A Relaxed Outdoor Reunion with Room to Spread Out

Panther State Forest offers a laid-back, traditional reunion setting.

Think picnic shelters, shared meals, kids playing in open fields, and a full day outdoors.

Amenities:

• Picnic shelters

• Open green space

• Mountain views

• Hiking

• Outdoor recreation

• Fishing

Best For: Casual day reunions, church groups, and outdoor gatherings

Visit Panther State Forest

Miracle Mountain Wilderness Park - Elbert, WV

A Scenic Mountain Retreat for Group Gatherings

Miracle Mountain adds a sense of occasion to your reunion.

The overlook gives your group a shared moment — a place to gather, take photos, and take in the view together — while the log cabin provides structure for meals or events.

Amenities:

• Large log cabin

• Observation deck with mountain views

• Outdoor picnic shelter

• Open activity space

• Almost Heaven Swing

Miracle Mountain is the ideal mountain top location for group photos and shared moments.

Best For: Reunions that want both scenery and a central gathering space

Check out Miracle Mountain on Facebook for more information.

Linkous Park – Welch, WV

A Classic Outdoor Reunion Park with Built-In Activities

Linkous Park is one of the most versatile outdoor gathering spaces in McDowell County. It’s designed for activity — which makes it ideal for reunions with multiple generations.

Kids can move between playgrounds and courts, while adults gather under shelters or around grills. In the summer, the pool becomes the center of the day.

Amenities:

• Picnic shelters

• Seasonal swimming pool

• Basketball, tennis, pickleball and volleyball courts

• Playground for children

• Open space for games and group activities

• Dog park

• Horseshoe Pit

Best For: Large day reunions, church groups, and multi-generational gatherings

Contact the City of Welch at 304-436-3113 Monday-Friday from 8am-4pm.

WV ATV Resort — Rock, WV

A Multi-Day Reunion Destination with Built-In Adventure

WV ATV Resort is perfect for groups that want an experience, not just a location.

With lodging options and direct access to ATV trails, your reunion becomes an active, shared adventure.

Amenities:

• 6 cabins

• 2 houses

• 3 bunker houses

• Large group lodging capacity

• Access to Hatfield & McCoy trail system

• Onsite ATV rentals (tours available)

• Fire pits

Best For: Active families and adventure-focused reunions

Contact WV ATV Resort to book your reunion.

Ashland Resort – Northfork, WV

A Full-Service Reunion Venue with Food & Lodging

Ashland Resort removes much of the planning stress by offering everything in one place. From meals to lodging to gathering space, it simplifies logistics for large groups.

Amenities:

• Multiple guest cabins

• On-site bar and grill

• The Coal Café

• Catering options

• Plenty of space for organized events

• Fire Pits

• Access to Hatfield & McCoy trail system

• Onsite ATV rentals

Best For: Large reunions needing food, lodging, and coordination in one location

Make sure to check out everything that Ashland Resort has to offer.

Powerhouse ATV Mansion – Maybeury, WV

A Full-Weekend Reunion House for Large Families

The Powerhouse ATV Mansion is ideal when your goal is to keep everyone together.

Instead of coordinating multiple locations, your group can gather, stay, and reconnect in one shared space. From morning coffee in the kitchen to evening conversations on the porch, everything happens naturally here.

Amenities:

• 9 bedrooms

• 5 bathrooms

• Large yard for cookouts and games

• Indoor common areas for meals and gathering

• Private, all-in-one lodging experience

Best For: Large multi-generational family reunions staying all weekend

Visit their website at Powerhouse ATV Mansion.

The Oaks at Elkhorn Station – Elkhorn, WV

A Cozy, Historic Setting for Smaller Reunions

The Oaks offers a quieter, more personal gathering space.

The wrap-around porch becomes the center of the reunion — a place for storytelling, laughter, and long conversations.

Amenities:

• 5 bedrooms

• 3 bathrooms

• Wrap-around porch

• Yard space for meals and light activities

• Historic, home-like atmosphere

Best For: Smaller family reunions focused on connection and conversation

Step back in time and enjoy The Oaks with your family and friends.

Jack Caffrey Arts & Cultural Center – Welch, WV

A Central Indoor Venue for Larger Gatherings

If your reunion includes a formal dinner, presentation, or program, this venue offers structure and comfort.

It’s especially useful for class reunions or milestone gatherings.

Amenities:

• Seating for approximately 200 people

• Indoor event space

• Flexible layout

• Downtown Welch location

• Tables and chairs available

Best For: Class reunions, banquets, and structured events

Visit Facebook for more information on renting the Jack Caffrey Arts & Cultural Center.

Kimball World War I Memorial – Kimball, WV

A Historic Ballroom for Formal Reunions

This venue provides a more traditional, formal atmosphere with built-in amenities that support organized events.

Amenities:

• Ballroom event space

• Commercial kitchen

• Elevator access

• Historic landmark setting

Best For: Formal reunions, dinners, and recognition events

Call the War Memorial at (304) 585-7789 to reserve a date.

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Beyond the trails and coal heritage, Southern West Virginia offers mountaintop overlooks, lakeside cabins, historic mansions, elegant ballrooms, and intimate church sanctuaries — all surrounded by Appalachian beauty.

Whether you’re planning a small mountain elopement or a full destination wedding weekend, McDowell County offers venues that feel personal, scenic, and unforgettable.

Here are ten of the best wedding venues in McDowell County, West Virginia to consider before you choose your date.

🌿 Powerhouse ATV Mansion – Maybeury, WV

A Historic Mansion Wedding Venue in McDowell County

If you envision walking down a garden path toward a historic mountain mansion, the Powerhouse ATV Mansion delivers space and elegance.

With room for your entire bridal party to stay on-site, this venue turns your wedding into a weekend celebration rather than a one-day event.

Amenities:

• 9 bedrooms

• 5 bathrooms

• Large yard for outdoor ceremonies

• Garden and lawn photo opportunities

• Indoor space for rehearsal dinners or small receptions

• Lodging for bridal party and family

🔗 Website
https://www.thewestvirginiaway.com/utility/PowerhouseATVMansion_For_Rent_Northfork_WV/pwerlodg

🔗 Airbnb
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1208063948450765645

🏡 The Oaks at Elkhorn Station – Elkhorn, WV

A Wrap-Around Porch Wedding Setting

Formerly known as the “Little Greenbrier,” The Oaks offers Southern charm nestled in the Appalachian hills.

The wrap-around porch makes this location ideal for golden-hour portraits and intimate ceremonies.

Amenities:

• 5 bedrooms

• 3 bathrooms

• Wrap-around porch

• Spacious yard for outdoor weddings

• Ideal for smaller guest lists

  

  🔗 Website

  https://www.thewestvirginiaway.com/majorunit/TheOaks_For_Rent_Northfork_WV/oaks

🌊 Berwind Lake – Near War, WV

A Lakeside Wedding Venue with Cabins and a Seasonal Pool

For couples dreaming of a lakeside wedding in West Virginia, Berwind Lake offers water views and weekend accommodations.

What makes this venue unique is the ability for guests to stay on-site — and the seasonal swimming pool is a standout feature for summer weddings.

Amenities:

• 6 one-bedroom cabins

• 6 two-bedroom cabins

• 1 three-bedroom single-wide trailer

• Seasonal swimming pool

• Lakefront ceremony space

• Open areas for tents and seating

This venue is perfect for relaxed, family-centered celebrations that feel like a retreat.

🔗 Website

https://berwindlakecabins.com

🌲 Panther State Forest

A Rustic Outdoor Wedding Venue in Southern West Virginia

If you want nature to be your décor, Panther State Forest offers dramatic mountain overlooks and wooded ceremony spaces.

Minimal setup required — the Appalachian landscape provides the backdrop.

Amenities:

• Mountain overlooks

• Picnic shelters

• Forest ceremony spaces

• Rustic outdoor setting

🔗 Website

https://wvstateparks.com/parks/panther-state-forest/

🌄 Miracle Mountain Wilderness Park

A Scenic Mountaintop Wedding Overlook

Miracle Mountain offers one of the most breathtaking mountain views in McDowell County.

The observation deck creates a dramatic setting for sunset ceremonies, while the large log cabin provides reception space.

Amenities:

• Elevated observation deck

• Large log cabin

• Open ceremony space

• Panoramic mountain views

🔗 Website

https://www.facebook.com/McDowellWV

🏔 WV ATV Resort

A Destination Wedding Venue with On-Site Lodging

WV ATV Resort combines panoramic mountain views with practical accommodations — ideal for destination weddings in West Virginia.

When guests can stay together in cabins and houses, the entire weekend becomes part of the celebration.

Amenities:

• 6 cabins

• 2 houses

• 3 bunker houses

• Mountain-view ceremony locations

• On-site lodging for larger groups

  

🔗 Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/wvatvresort

🔗 Website

https://wvatvrentals.com

🎉 Ashland Resort – Northfork, WV

A Full Wedding Weekend Experience

Located along the Indian Ridge section of the Hatfield & McCoy Trail system, Ashland Resort offers lodging, dining, and event flexibility in one place.

Amenities:

• Multiple guest cabins

• On-site bar and grill

• The Coal Café

• Catering availability

• Trail access for adventurous wedding parties

  

  🔗 Website

  https://atvresort.com/

🧱 Jack Caffrey Arts & Cultural Center – Welch, WV

An Indoor Wedding Venue with Historic Character

If you prefer a climate-controlled wedding venue in McDowell County, the Jack Caffrey Arts & Cultural Center offers exposed brick, steel beams, and flexible event space.

Amenities:

• Capacity for approximately 200 guests

• Indoor ceremony and reception space

• Historic downtown Welch location

• Flexible décor layout

🔗 Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/jackcaffreyartsandculturalcenter

🇺🇸 Kimball World War I Memorial – Kimball, WV

A Historic Ballroom Wedding Venue

This National Historic Landmark blends architectural elegance with modern convenience.

Amenities:

• Ballroom event space

• Commercial kitchen

• Elevator access

• Historic architectural details

📞 Phone

(304) 585-7789

⛪ Historic Churches Throughout McDowell County

For couples seeking a traditional ceremony, McDowell County’s churches offer intimate sanctuaries filled with history and Appalachian charm.

Planning a Wedding in McDowell County, WV

From lakeside ceremonies with poolside receptions…
to mountaintop sunset vows…
to historic indoor ballroom celebrations…

McDowell County offers some of the most unique wedding venues in Southern West Virginia.

Don’t forget to check out this month’s weekly blogs!

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Our mission is to share McDowell County’s stories with honesty, pride, and purpose — honoring our past while supporting our future.

This Substack is published by the McDowell County Convention & Visitors Bureau and is dedicated to sharing the stories, places, and people that define McDowell County, West Virginia.

McDowell County is often described through its history alone — its coal heritage, company towns, and Appalachian roots. While that history matters deeply, it is only part of a much larger story. This publication exists to help tell the full picture: where we’ve been, where we are now, and where we’re headed.

What We Share

• Stories from across McDowell County’s towns and communities • Updates on tourism, events, and local attractions
• Features on local history, culture, and heritage
• Spotlights on businesses, artists, and community initiatives

• Reflections on growth, challenges, and opportunity

Who This Is For

This space is for residents, former residents who still feel connected to home, visitors planning to explore the area, and anyone interested in Appalachian culture, rural tourism, and community storytelling.

Free & Paid Subscriptions

Free subscribers receive regular updates, stories, and features highlighting McDowell County’s people, places, and events. Much of this publication will always remain free and accessible.

Paid subscribers help support expanded storytelling and may receive access to in-depth features, special series, archival material, and exclusive updates as this publication grows. Paid subscriptions directly support the continued work of sharing McDowell County’s story.

Stay Connected

If you’d like to follow along, we invite you to subscribe. Subscribing ensures new posts are delivered directly to your inbox and helps support continued storytelling about McDowell County.

WV Living Magazine

Community Champion

Above is a link to a Facebook post written by WV Living Magazine on January 17, 2025.

You can also read the post here:

Each year, we recognize Community Champions across West Virginia—people who show up, give back, and help shape the places they call home. In 2025, we’re proud to recognize one of those champions.

As executive director of the McDowell County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Jennifer Justice dedicates her time to championing McDowell County and its local businesses. From highlighting the ever-growing Hatfield McCoy Trails to preserving and celebrating the region’s long, rich history, Justice has become one of the county’s biggest cheerleaders.

Justice stepped into the role just 4.5 years ago—while simultaneously serving as president of the McDowell County WV Chamber of Commerce . “I love to promote the county and promote business,” she says. “Without business, McDowell County can’t grow, and without growing, we won’t have tourism.”

Of all that she’s accomplished, Justice says she’s most proud of securing the CVB’s accreditation status. In order for a county to receive necessary funding, a CVB must first be accredited through the West Virginia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus—a process Justice prioritized early on. Since then, she has completed numerous projects aimed at increasing tourism, including welcoming an Almost Heaven swing to Miracle Mountain Wilderness Park and commissioning the county’s first professional travel guide through Narrative by New South Media, Inc..

Justice’s leadership has also been recognized through a fellowship with the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Appalachian Leadership Institute, where she traveled to communities similar to McDowell County to learn how they’ve “turned things around” and brought fresh ideas back home.

But when it comes down to it, Justice says the true highlight isn’t the projects or attractions—it’s the people. “My people in McDowell County are one of my biggest tourist attractions,” she explains. “People are so pleased with how they’re treated when they come here. There is never a lack of people willing to lend a helping hand.”

Reaching For The Stars

What enters your mind when you first hear the word Coalwood?

For many born and raised in McDowell County, Coalwood brings to mind the community situated between Welch and Caretta along Route 16. We picture the coal camp houses, the machine shop, the company apartments, and the Methodist church — not only in our mind’s eye, but still in existence today.

For those unfamiliar with McDowell County, but familiar with Coalwood, a different image often comes to mind. The film October Sky and the memoir Rocket Boys are usually the first associations.

Coalwood lies within the National Coal Heritage Area and, like many McDowell County communities, was shaped by coal mining through the Olga Coal Company. Coal mining has deep roots in McDowell County and in its people.

However, the Rocket Boys made a decision to travel a different road than the one that led deep into the earth. They chose a path less traveled — one that led to the stars.

In 1957, the Rocket Boys launched the first of many rockets from what is now known as Cape Coalwood. Although they experienced many failures, they also achieved success — launches that ultimately helped shape paths far beyond the coalfields.

After the publication of Rocket Boys and the release of the film October Sky, Coalwood became more than a coal mining community in McDowell County, West Virginia. It became a place where many realized that through hard work and innovation, reaching for the stars was possible — regardless of background, resources, or location.

From Wyoming Street to the World

Jack Caffrey Arts & Cultural Center

The Jack Caffrey Arts & Cultural Center, located at 143 Wyoming Street in Welch, stands quietly along the street, its history written into the brick and mortar. Over the years, this building has served many purposes for the people of McDowell County—first as a post office, then as the Ashworth DeSoto Car Dealership, and later as a NAPA Auto Parts store. Today, it serves once again as a place for the community to gather.

The Center opened its doors in 2019, made possible through the vision of Reba Honaker, former mayor of Welch, who believed McDowell County deserved a space dedicated to the arts, culture, and shared experiences. It was named in honor of Jack Caffrey, one of Welch’s most respected and influential leaders. As chief engineer for U.S. Steel, Caffrey worked to improve life and opportunity in the county, helped bring a federal prison to McDowell County, and played an important role in establishing the McDowell Public Library program.

From the outside, the Caffrey Center is easy to miss, marked only by a simple sign above the door. Step inside, though, and you’ll find yourself surrounded by the story of Coal Country—artifacts from McDowell County, educational memorabilia, and everyday items once found in coal camp homes. For many visitors, these pieces stir memories of family, hard work, and a way of life that shaped the mountains.

The Center has welcomed visitors from across the United States and from places as far away as France, Costa Rica, Germany, the Netherlands, South Wales, and Guatemala, all drawn by the history and hospitality found inside its walls.

Those walls have held more than artifacts. They’ve echoed with music, laughter, and conversation, hosting concerts, weddings, parties, meetings, and community events. In 2022, the Center was proud to host the Smithsonian traveling exhibition Crossroads, further connecting McDowell County’s story to the nation’s larger narrative.

The Center is home to McDowell County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, and Historical Society.

The Jack Caffrey Arts & Cultural Center is open Monday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Those wishing to host an event or learn more are encouraged to call (304) 436-5392.

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