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Scenic Viewpoints in West Virginia

9 scenic viewpoints in West Virginia with photography planning data — sunrise and sunset azimuths, golden hour by month, Milky Way windows and estimated sky darkness. Pocahontas County has the most (2). The darkest skies are at Cranberry Glades Overlook (Bortle 2).

Top scenic viewpoints

Brooks Island OverlookScenic Viewpoint
Brooks Island OverlookSummers County
Scenic Viewpoint
Cranberry Glades OverlookPocahontas County · 1,372 m
Scenic Viewpoint
Cranny Crow OverlookHardy County · 877 m
Scenic Viewpoint
Gunpowder Ridge OverlookGreenbrier County · 592 m
Scenic Viewpoint
Heiliger Kanzel OverlookPendleton County · 1,283 m
Scenic Viewpoint
Kates Mountain OverlookGreenbrier County · 961 m
Scenic Viewpoint
Red Lick Overlook Point of InterestPocahontas County · 1,176 m
Scenic Viewpoint
Stony Run OverlookPendleton County · 1,251 m
Scenic Viewpoint
Maryland HeightsJefferson County · 147 m

Map

How to photograph scenic viewpoints

Overlooks are about the sweep of the land, so low-angle light matters most: side-light at sunrise or sunset reveals ridges and texture that midday sun flattens.

  • Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunrise or sunset to find a composition before the light peaks.
  • Use a telephoto (70–200 mm) to isolate layered ridges and light rays instead of shooting only wide.
  • Check the sun azimuth for your date: front-light, side-light and back-light give three different pictures from the same rail.
  • Haze builds in summer afternoons; mornings after a cold front are often the clearest.
  • Stay behind barriers — many overlook edges are undercut or crumbly.

Season: Clear, dry air in autumn and after winter storms gives the longest views; summer adds wildflowers but also haze.