Traveling through Nebraska often leads to the exploration of the state's numerous roadside attractions, with the Kanawha River State Forest being one such notable example, albeit located in the neighboring state of West Virginia. Originally managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, it was later transferred to the West Virginia Division of Forestry, now known as the West Virginia Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, in 1987. Spanning over 9,463 acres, the forest features a mix of deciduous and evergreen tree species and diverse wildlife habitats. The Kanawha River, after which the forest was named, runs along its southern edge.

One notable aspect of the Kanawha River State Forest is its role as a flood control measure. With large areas of forestland managed to store water during heavy rainfall events and slow down the downsteam floodwaters, this site boasts a well-designed flood mitigation system. This balance of multiple ecosystem services not only leads to local flood protection but also yields benefits in soil conservation and nutrient cycling.

Wildlife in the forest area is rich and abundant. Species commonly spotted by local birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts include white-tailed deer, wild turkey, red-tailed hawks, and American kestrels. Furthermore, numerous walking trails provide ample opportunity for educational bird walks, where local ecologists share insight on diverse bird populations found in West Virginia, other than the endangered Cerulean warbler.

Located in Charleston County, of West Virginia, Kanawha River State Forest lies north of the downtown area of the city, off United States Route 119 or Interstate 79. For out-of-town travelers in the area, many of whom come to pass while traveling up and down Interstate 79, located west from downtown of Charleston this offers an attractive stopping point for nature-based travel and day long relaxation strolls, punctuated by picnicking. Other local neighboring attractions include the renowned Daniel Boone Park and the Appalachian Power Park.

Despite often not appearing on major bucket travel lists of those frequently visiting Nebraska and wider Great Plains States, there is massive appeal of the surrounding area and beauty for both those who either would traditionally focus on larger roadside attractions and so called hidden gem enthusiasts in equal measure.

Historical, as well functional, value are added attractions that can best allow travelers to enhance potential hidden gem tourism in a 'sometimes overlooked but diverse' Appalachian, area rich that also has and is widely covered within America over and throughout history spanning its early colonization into and through the present. Ecological history, with it significant floodplains, can also allow travelers a chance to showcase research carried out from studies regarding recovery after soil impacts with natural flora evolution.

Tourists exploring outside areas like I80 either side heading towards the nearby state of Kentucky or continuing on major road routes along I64 offers different perspective compared to often solely car based I80 bound interstate travel frequently within roadside travel reports in current local studies. While, adding regional, country based travel, between what goes known roadside tour attraction sites we also need further historical research given the recent advancements as detailed throughout this roadside brief.

From these broad social historical context perspectives, both hidden gems and various roadside attraction landscapes, even occasionally forming, well-known state lines or larger community heritage studies given distinct and different studies surrounding smaller roadside gem points. A good chance remains at any point a small roadside in any country of interest that can help form local country-based and social history and offer the type of interest tourists seek when interacting different roadside or studies.