EXPLORE THE REGION
Attractions & Activities
From Civil War sites to breathtaking river scenery — Keyser and Mineral County have something for every visitor.
Natural Landmark
Queens Point Overlook
A spectacular Oriskany sandstone cliff rising ~400 feet above the North Branch Potomac River. Breathtaking panoramic views of Keyser and the river valley.
📍McCoole, MD (viewable from Keyser riverfront)
🕐Accessible year-round
Outdoor Recreation
North Branch Potomac River
World-class smallmouth bass fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and bird watching. Contact North Branch Ventures for rentals and guided tours.
📍Armstrong St. riverfront, Keyser, WV
🕐Open year-round
Lake / Reservoir
Jennings Randolph Lake
A stunning 952-acre reservoir on the North Branch Potomac. Boating, fishing, swimming, camping, and picnicking. Managed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
📍Elk Garden, WV 26717 (~20 min from Keyser)
🕐Open year-round
County Park
Larenim Park
Mineral County's premier park at 365 acres. Pavilions, 600-seat amphitheater, fishing ponds, and 5 miles of trails.
📍Keyser, WV 26726
🕐Open daily
Historic Site
Mineral County Courthouse
The 1868 courthouse listed on the National Register of Historic Places — the architectural centerpiece of downtown Keyser.
📍Keyser, WV 26726
🕐Exterior always viewable
Historic Site
Potomac State College Campus / Fort Fuller
Fort Hill — site of Civil War Fort Fuller — commanded by future president Benjamin Harrison and Lew Wallace (author of Ben-Hur). Now the beautiful PSC campus.
📍101 Fort Ave., Keyser, WV 26726
🕐Campus open daily
Train Excursion
Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad
Scenic excursions through The Trough along the South Branch Potomac River — famous for bald eagle sightings. About 30 miles from Keyser.
📍Romney, WV 26757 (~30 miles)
🕐Seasonal spring through fall
State Park
Blackwater Falls State Park
The amber-colored Blackwater Falls plunge 57 feet into the dramatic canyon. Hiking, skiing, camping, and a beautiful lodge. About 40 minutes from Keyser.
📍Davis, WV 26260 (~40 min)
🕐Open year-round
Natural Landmark
Seneca Rocks
Massive quartzite outcroppings rising 900 feet from the valley floor. Rock climbing, hiking, and spectacular views. About 45 minutes from Keyser.
📍Seneca Rocks, WV (~45 min)
🕐Open year-round
Historic Site
Fort Ashby Blockhouse
The only remaining French and Indian War fort in West Virginia. Ordered built by young George Washington in 1755. Just 15 miles from Keyser.
📍Fort Ashby, WV 26719 (~15 miles)
🕐Open seasonally
GETTING HERE
Plan Your Visit to Keyser
By Car 🚗
Keyser sits at US Route 220 and US Route 50. Just 3 hours from Washington D.C., 20 minutes from Cumberland MD (via I-68), and 4 hours from Pittsburgh PA. Free parking throughout downtown.
By Air ✈️
The Greater Cumberland Regional Airport (CBE) in nearby Wiley Ford, WV is minutes away. Washington Dulles (IAD), Baltimore-Washington (BWI), and Pittsburgh (PIT) airports are all within 3–4 hours.
By Train 🚂
Amtrak Capitol Limited stops in Cumberland, MD — just across the Potomac from Ridgeley, WV (10 miles from Keyser). CSX freight lines run along the North Branch. The Potomac Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) provides local bus service.