More than 3,000 hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns adorn the Kenova Pumpkin House at Halloween. The Victorian home was built in 1891 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Its transformation from a historic building into a large-scale Halloween display brings together architectural history and a recurring seasonal tradition. If you want to explore Wayne County through a distinctive cultural theme, this house offers a clear calendar connection: the lanterns are part of Halloween.
Culture, Wildlife, and Appalachian Heritage
At Heritage Farm, you’ll encounter several facets of Appalachian heritage. Its seven themed buildings house Smithsonian-affiliated museums dedicated to Appalachian history and heritage, including the Progress Museum and the Transportation Museum. Beyond the museums, the Nature Center offers hands-on activities about native wildlife, and Village Vittles serves traditional Appalachian specialties.
Lakes, Water, and Trails
The lake at Beech Fork State Park covers 720 acres and has 31 miles of shoreline. The park offers 275 campsites, 99 of them directly on the lake. If you’re choosing a site based on its location by the water, note that those 99 are already included in the total. Eight trails provide more than 14 miles in all for hikers and mountain bikers. Canoes, kayaks, Jon boats, pedal boats, and stand-up paddleboards are available to rent at the marina. The marina is open daily from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
East Lynn Lake offers a different scale: it covers 1,005 acres and has 44 miles of shoreline. It is therefore larger by both measures than the lake at Beech Fork State Park, which covers 720 acres and has 31 miles of shoreline. Marked hiking trails are located at the Visitor's Center, the Lakeside Recreation Area, the Lick Creek Launch Area, and the East Fork Camping Area. The 1.5-mile East Fork Trail starts on the grounds of the East Fork Campground. The East Fork Campground has 167 sites with electric and/or water hookups. From Wayne, reach the lake via State Route 37; it is 12 miles to the southeast.
Forest and Trails
Cabwaylingo State Forest encompasses 8,296 heavily wooded acres. The Cabwaylingo Trail was the first trail in the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System to be located in a West Virginia state forest. The Cabwaylingo Trail offers nearly 100 miles of trails for ATV, UTV, 4×4, and dirt bike riders. The forest also has nine miles of trails for cyclists. The historic Tick Ridge Fire Tower, built in 1935, is near the campgrounds.
More Experiences in Kenova
Dreamland Pool first opened in 1926 and has an Olympic-size swimming pool and a shallow children’s pool. At Virginia Point Park, a large boat ramp provides access to the Big Sandy River and the Ohio River.
Discover more destinations: Crum, Kenova, Logan, Monroe County, Marshall County, Berkeley County, Jefferson County, Fayette County
For the broader travel overview: West Virginia.
