WV Adventures & Roadtrips: Poplar Island Pumpkins (and CRYPTID TRAIL!), Fairmont, WV

Pumpkin FUN for the entire family!

Corn Maze, Hayrides, and Cryptid trail!

11 FUN Things to do in Fairmont for Families.

Poplar Island sets on the Tygart Valley River.

Bring your fam and meet the Terrors of the Tygart!

Roadtrip to WV for a Family Fall Adventure!

My Top Three WV Fun Farm Destinations for Fall Festivities.

Planning the Adventure

As close neighbors; Hailing from WVU-land. We’re always making trips to Fairmont for errands. Or for something FUN to do.

McTrail Meredith Tunnel: West Virginia Hiking with Kids and Dogs (PLUS Discover 11 FUN Things to do in Fairmont for Families)

Back in September; on the way home from the vet. Bridge construction on I-79; with shut downs. I made a little detour through Colfax. I spied with my little eye, a sign!

Poplar Island Pumpkins

Really? A Pumpkin Patch?! Around here?! Let’s plan to go in October!

Explore & Discover!

Right now, it’s officially October! There’s nothing quite like the changing of the leaves. Especially around here in West Virginia. The beauty that unmasks.

The Fall vibes are real! I enjoy the celebration that comes with the change of season. Suddenly, there’s pumpkin spice everywhere! Ghosts, Goblins, and everything not nice. It’za Vibe!

Pumpkin Carving Guide: How to Carve like a Pro!

Fall Festivities.

Halloween Festivities

Pumpkin Everything!

… I love it all!

(BUT…I could do without the cold!)

A Way to Spend the Day!

Driving to Poplar Island Pumpkins; you turn down Poplar Island Road. It’s a narrow gravel road; along the banks of the Tygart Valley River. Kinda creepy, tbh.

On the way there; we saw the island. And someone actually lives there! Trees grown over a large white house. A swinging suspension bridge clearly marked;

NO TRESPASSING.

I said, “I bet that’s the witch’s house!”

Scoot outta the way! Up the road from the “Witch’s House”, is the newest fall festivity destination ’round here!

Welcome to Poplar Island Pumpkin Patch!

Pull right up! You’re greeted here with friendly faces. The parking is handled extremely effectively. Security and traffic direction. Give ’em all the stars, they’ve got it figured out!

Walk up to the ticketing booth, and get y’all some wristbands! More friendly faces here! The General Store with many Fall goodies for sale. Including; pumpkin fudge, pumpkin bread, and pumpkin everything!

The wristband includes;

Hayride
Corn Maze
Cryptid Trail
Pumpkin Patch ($5, Pick your own)

$12 for Adults; $10 for kids ages 10 and under. Children ages 3 and under are FREE.

Hayrides

Old Fashioned Hayrides are almost necessary for Fall! Climb aboard the wagon, let the tractor take y’all for a pull!

We enjoyed the old fashioned hayride through the farm!

Corn Maze

The Corn Maze was a small plot filled with many surprises! Plenty of jump scares from animatronix. I’d love to come back and do this at night!

There’s actors in the maze at night!

Cryptid Trail

A Cryptid Hike in WV!

There’s my Top Three!
Awareness, Hiking, and Cryptids

This was my favorite part! I love West Virginia, and hiking. I love stories! Of course, these tales are wonderful stories of WILD encounters.

The Mothman

The Mothman is like, the OG of West Virginia Cryptids. Everyone knows this dude!

The Veggie Man

Originated in Fairmont, WV in 1968; The tales of the Veggie Man made it’s way around the dinner table.

Poplar Island Witch

Upon seeing this legend, I was a bit spooked! I literally mentioned this on the way here. As an inside joke from Arthur’s Halloween book. The story of the witch could be true. Scoot outta the way!

The Grafton Monster

Trod eastward along the banks of the Tygart Valley River; and you’ll eventually land where the Grafton Monster was first spotted.

The trail in it’s entirety is about 1/4 mile long. This particular area; by the Tygart Valley River is home to many spooky legends. Come meet the Monsters; the Terrors of the Tygart!

The most popular Cryptid in the World: Bigfoot

Fairmont is FUN!

No matter the Season; Fairmont is FAMILY FUN! Marion County puts forth so much effort for the community.

We enjoy Summer concerts at Palatine Park; as well as the Splash Pad, wave pool, and community festivals.

The Spot for Fall!

I’d love to give a special shout out to the Family of Poplar Island Pumpkins. Our community desperately needed a “Fall Spot”. Y’all have taken your land and provided something for everyone. Kudos to ya!

Drive for a Spot!

However; if you’d still like to drive over an hour; These two are worth the drive!

Gritt’s Farm

This is the #1 most fun “fun farm” I’ve ever been to. Weekend General Admission is $20.95 (no kid pricing). It’s pricey, yes. But, this is the Disney World of Fall Festivities. It was a blast swimming in the corn barn with the fam!

Be sure to visit the Mothman on your way down! Point Pleasant is conveniently along the route.

Also, make sure to grab lunch from Hillbilly Hotdogs in Lesage.

After the Farm, hit up the Pumpkin House in Kenova!

Brookedale Farm

Located in Mineral County; this one holds near and dear to my heart. My first time at the farm was a homeschool field trip to see dairy cows. A few years later, they took their land; and made it something for everyone.

Like, slight anxiety panic attack HUGE! It’s basically a Scavenger Hunt Corn Maze. Each year is a different theme. They’ll give you a wallet sized punch card. Find and punch all the stations. It’s a 5.5 acre maze; with a quest to find 15 to 20 stations. Plan to spend all day here. Or call search & rescue after dark!

Other Brookedale Activities include;

Hayrides
Pedal Karts
Barrel Train
Petting Zoo
Playground
Playhouse Village
Community Fire Pit (BYOHD)

Brookedale is likely the best deal in West Virginia. For only $7 per person; you and your family can enjoy the entire day here!

The Frugal Cheapskate’s
Guide to Grocery Shopping

Stay for a Stop!

If you aren’t up for driving far. Or if you’d rather be indoors. There’s a place to Catch the Cryptids right here in Morgantown, WV.

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of Blacklight mini-golfing with these Mountain Monsters.

Stop and take the Time!

In every season; Changes happen naturally. Enjoy the beauty that unmasks. Pumpkin spice, and everything not nice.

As the air turns into the colder months; keep your head up and keep your heart warm. Peace on Earth, and Goodwill to men is coming near! Much warmer and brighter days to follow..

In every season, give.

Always Give.

In every season, thank.

Always Thank.

In every season, love.

Always Love.

Give Thanks for Love ❤️