On The Road
Borrowing the name from Jack Kerouac’s classic beat generation tale of travels across the country, intermittently we’ll post tales about our life on the road. Whether you’re traveling by motorhome, fifthwheel, trailer, camper, or van, there is so much out there to explore, and we want to bring the very best to you to consider for your next adventure. Read our latest On The Road series blog post about our most recent visit to historic Fayetteville, West Virginia.
Fayetteville, West Virginia
Named after George Washington’s French military advisor, the Marquis de Lafayette, Fayetteville was recently ranked the second best small town for adventure in 2020 by USAToday. Similarly, the Smithsonian Magazine named Fayetteville the second best small town to visit in America in 2021.
Perched at 1,800 feet above sea level along the north-south route, U.S. 19, Fayetteville sits a stone’s throw away from popular cities like Beckley to the south and Summersville to its north. With an eclectic downtown filled with boutiques, restaurants, bakeries, and more, Fayetteville is quickly becoming a destination in its own right. A historic town with roots dating back to 1837 when the community changed its name from then Vandalia, Fayetteville is the seat of Fayette County. Additionally, the town has 28 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. History buffs can take a walking tour led by a local historian who will point out some of the over 75 historic homes and buildings in downtown Fayetteville. Or, if shopping is more your speed, check out the boutique Thread on Maple Street for some locally owned apparel and gifts. Hungry or thirsty? Be sure to grab a pint and slice at Pies & Pints on West Maple Avenue. Expect a wait at this popular eatery that boasts indoor and outdoor seating, and even a playground for kids!
New River Gorge National Park
If you’re looking to get your fix of outdoor adventure, look no further than neighboring New River Gorge National Park. Just a five-minute drive to the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, there is a lot to see and do at the newest of the national parks! Situated on the banks of one of the five oldest rivers in the world, New River Gorge National Park has a lot on offer. The Canyon Rim Visitor Center, the main visitor center for the park, is a great starting point to begin any tour. There, you can watch an 11-minute welcome video to orient you on the history of the park and industry of southern West Virginia. There is also a scenic overlook in the back of the visitor center with views of the over 70,000 acres of pristine beauty of the river canyon below. You’ll also notice the unmistakable New River Gorge Bridge, which was at one point the world’s longest arch bridge at its time of completion in 1977. Outside, you’ll find picnic tables, maps, trailheads, and even driving tour itineraries.
Where to stay
There are a lot of great sites for RV camping around the Fayetteville area, including the Rifrafters Campground which has 26 RV campsites with hookups. Over in Summersville, check out Mountain Lake Campgrounds & Cabins. With four different camping areas to choose from, you’ll never want to leave this lakeside retreat! And if you’re hungry, stop by Craft Kings in Mt. Nebo for some handcrafted tasty fusion cuisine.
Before you go
Before you go, make sure you’re prepared with all the RV care and maintenance accessories you’ll need. RVbyLIFE’s Life-Calk® polysulfide sealant and Life Seal® silicone/polyurethane sealant are two staples to have on hand for any quick on the road RV repair. The Stick scrapping tool also comes in handy, and works well with our Release Adhesive & Sealant Remover. Of course, no trip would be complete without a bottle of all-purpose sanitizer. Our Sanitizer for Hands and Surfaces is made with only Benzalkonium Chloride sanitizer and iodized water, so it won’t leave an odor or irritate the skin on application. It also continues working on surfaces once dry unlike alcohol-based sanitizer. For all other RV repair and maintenance needs, visit our website for our full product catalog.
Make sure to check out our other travel tales to find your next RV travel destination. Happy RV travels!
