Overview
Kingwood is a town of around 3000 people in Preston County, West Virginia.
5 sights · 1 things to do · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Kingwood
Tunnelton Tunnels
A pair of railroad tunnels that were dug by hand between 1850 and 1853. On their completion, at 4,100 feet long, they were the longest in the world, and were crucial during the Civil War.
Cathedral State Park
A 133-acre ancient hemlock forest and the only stand of mixed virgin timber left in West Virginia.
Cranesville Swamp Preserve
1600 acres of wet bog preserve. Several trails, including a quarter-mile boardwalk over the swamp. Carnivorous sundew plants, bog cranberry, sphagnum moss, and several species of endangered plants and animals can be seen…
Cheat River
Self-guided auto tour. The river and adjacent tributaries are being restored to repair damage done from coal mining and a mine blowout in 1992, and restore the orange-colored water to healthy ecosystems. A festival to su…
West Virginia Zoo
Zoological park in a wooded setting with over 30 species.
Preston County Buckwheat Festival
Held on the last Thursday of September, featuring buckwheat cake and sausage dinners (produced from local buckwheat and pork), fairground rides, live entertainment, arts and crafts, livestock judging, antique cars and tr…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Apr–Oct. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 21°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jul and Jun. (climate data from nearby Pittsburgh)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MGW Morgantown Municipal Airport Walter L. (Bill) Hart Field, Morgantown — 17 mi away. Directions
- CKB North Central West Virginia Airport, Bridgeport — 31 mi away. Directions
- PIT Pittsburgh International Airport, Pittsburgh — 76 mi away (major hub). Directions
Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Cranesville Swamp Preserve, Cheat River
- Afternoon Tunnelton Tunnels
Day 2
- Morning West Virginia Zoo, Cathedral State Park
- Afternoon Preston County Buckwheat Festival
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
See
See Cheat River
Self-guided auto tour. The river and adjacent tributaries are being restored to repair damage done from coal mining and a mine blowout in 1992, and restore the orange-colored water to healthy ecosystems. A festival to support the river and benefit cleanup efforts is held in early May, featuring music, food, an artist market, a climbing wall, a road race and a downriver race.
See Tunnelton Tunnels
A pair of railroad tunnels that were dug by hand between 1850 and 1853. On their completion, at 4,100 feet long, they were the longest in the world, and were crucial during the Civil War.
Do
Do Preston County Buckwheat Festival
Held on the last Thursday of September, featuring buckwheat cake and sausage dinners (produced from local buckwheat and pork), fairground rides, live entertainment, arts and crafts, livestock judging, antique cars and trucks, a woodsmen's competition, Irish road bowling, parades, fireworks and a laser light show.
See Cranesville Swamp Preserve (Cranesville Swamp)
1600 acres of wet bog preserve. Several trails, including a quarter-mile boardwalk over the swamp. Carnivorous sundew plants, bog cranberry, sphagnum moss, and several species of endangered plants and animals can be seen throughout the wetlands.
Buy
Shop Walmart Supercenter
Sleep
- Preston County Inn, route 7, +1 304-329-2220. (Kingwood) 8 rooms. Built in 1857 as a private home, and operating as an inn since 1932. 3 dining rooms, a lounge, an open-air deck, spacious front porch with rocking chairs and swing. Located on Main Street, within walking distance of Kingwood's downtown shops.
Nearby
Oakland
City / town · 12 listings · 16 mi away
Morgantown
City / town · 73 listings · 18 mi away
Deep Creek Lake
Rural area · 20 listings · 19 mi away
McHenry
City / town · 8 listings · 19 mi away
Grafton
City / town · 9 listings · 20 mi away
Fairmont
City / town · 30 listings · 24 mi away
Davis
City / town · 32 listings · 26 mi away
Ohiopyle
City / town · 7 listings · 30 mi away
My experience
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