Is White Sulphur Springs Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, wears many historical hats, being a battlefield site of the Civil War, a healing health resort region, and an outdoor focal point surrounded by natural beauty.

It’s in an area known as the Greenbrier Valley.

The town’s name comes from the natural white sulfur springs that Indigenous people discovered, and then settlers turned the springs into a healing oasis.

That was the first spark of tourism in White Sulpher Springs, and it’s still going strong.

The Greenbrier, aka “Old White,” is a luxurious resort that dates back to 1778.

The resort has welcomed a variety of notable figures, including more than two dozen U.S. Presidents, and even served as a secret government bunker during the Cold War.

One of White Sulphur Springs’ most distinguished residents was Katherine Johnson, the brilliant NASA mathematician whose calculations were crucial to the success of the early space missions.

Johnson, born in White Sulphur Springs in 1918, became a trailblazer in the field of mathematics and was portrayed in the film Hidden Figures, played by Taraji P. Henson.

White Sulphur Springs is also tucked between the Allegheny Mountains and New River Gorge.

It’s known as one of the Mon Towns, which offers gateway access to Monongahela National Forest.

White Sulphur Springs may be a small town of 2,200 people, but it offers big opportunities for visitors to enjoy the best of West Virginia.

Warnings & Dangers in White Sulphur Springs

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There’s a low overall risk as far as crime rates go and plenty of risks in the wilderness and with the weather if you aren’t prepared. This guide will help keep your risk low no matter what you plan to do.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Public transportation in White Sulphur Springs is limited. Check the Mountain Transit Authority schedule to get around the region. Taxi services and some shuttle options are possible, especially from nearby airports. For local travel, renting a car is recommended.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

Theft rates are very low in White Sulphur Springs, with no pickpockets or purse snatchings reported in the past decade. The risk is low but never low enough to let your guard down.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

White Sulphur Springs faces medium disaster risks, primarily from flooding, especially during heavy rains in spring and summer. The town is also susceptible to winter storms, which can bring heavy snowfall and icy conditions. While earthquakes are rare, the region has a low but possible seismic activity risk.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

No muggings have been reported in the past five years, giving this another low risk. The city averages about one robbery a year, usually at a home or a business.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

The risk of terrorism in White Sulphur Springs is considered very low. As a small, rural town, it’s not typically a target for such activities. While it is located in the National Radio Quiet Zone (NRQZ), that alone does not directly relate to terrorism risk. The NRQZ is a 13,000-square-mile area where radio transmissions are heavily restricted to minimize interference with radio telescopes and government facilities.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

The police department and local sheriff’s office will post the latest scams on social media. The risk here is low for a visitor, as the most common reports target locals, such as with spoofed law enforcement threatening phone calls.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

This is another low risk, given the low crime rates across the board. You should know wilderness and weather survival tactics and avoid going hiking or rafting alone.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The U.S. has strict standards for tap water per the Safe Water Drinking Act. Communities are required to provide a Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) once a year by July 1. While the risk is often low, you should request a copy of the most recent CCR from the water utility, as they don’t post those online. The most recent one I could find was from 2020.

Safest Places to Visit in White Sulphur Springs

White Sulphur Springs is a small town in a larger region known as the Greenbrier Valley.

The best tourism resource is greenbrierwv.com.

You can download a visitor’s guide without having to give personal information.

The iconic Greenbrier Resort is a must-visit, even if you’re not staying there.

Explore its historic grounds, enjoy a spa session in the “healing waters,” or take a guided tour of the secret Cold War-era bunker that was built for the U.S. Congress.

The holidays are especially decorative at the Greenbrier Resort.

The elaborate decorations fill the hallways and exterior starting in November, with Santa coming by on December weekends and activities planned leading up to the New Year celebration.

The Midland Trail National Scenic Byway is a historic 117-mile route through West Virginia, offering scenic views, charming towns, and cultural landmarks.

White Sulphur Springs is a key stop along the way.

Organ Cave, a National Historic Landmark, is just 20 minutes from White Sulphur Springs.

Guided tours are available in the country.

It has historical significance from prehistoric days to the Civil War through the present.

While 45 miles have already been mapped, more routes might be available by the time you get there.

For outdoor fun above ground, Greenbrier State Forest offers hiking, mountain biking, picnicking, and camping.

Nineteen miles of trails across 5,200 acres provide stunning views, especially during the fall when the foliage is popping.

Monongahela National Forest covers nearly one million acres.

The expanse is filled with various elevations, wildlife, and ecosystems.

The western side, near White Sulphur Springs, will get more rain and snow than the east side, which sits in a rain shadow of the mountains.

The U.S. Forest Service website can help you find the right trails and activities for your visit.

White Sulphur Springs has several outdoor adventure companies to consider, from guided fishing tours to rafting guides to backcountry hiking.

Places to Avoid in White Sulphur Springs

While you won’t need to worry about dangerous parts of town here, there are some other factors to consider.

White Sulphur Springs doesn’t have a load of museums and attractions.

If you aren’t interested in seeing the Greenbrier Resort, you might want to consider staying in a different regional city.

Lewisburg would be a great place for history buffs, as many of the museums, historical buildings, and guided walking tours are located there.

Ronceverte is also experiencing a popularity surge, with a scenic location right on the Greenbrier River.

Safety Tips for Traveling to White Sulphur Springs

So... How Safe Is White Sulphur Springs Really?

Since 2000, White Sulphur Springs hasn’t had more than nine violent crimes in a year.

In the past decade, not a single violent crime involved a stranger.

They were all domestic or between two people who knew each other to some degree.

While technically those numbers mean the violent crime rate is at the state average, that data doesn’t include the thousands of people who visit each year.

That brings the rates even lower.

Thefts are also surprisingly low, with 10 or fewer thefts each year for the past decade.

I’ve researched a lot of cities, and that number is shockingly below average.

The crime data used to get these numbers is from the local police department through the FBI’s NIBRS portal.

That won’t include crimes in the county or on public lands.

My only caution is to not let really low crime rates give a false sense of safety.

In 2016, the city experienced a flood, and looting was one of the top problems.

Crimes of opportunity can happen when situations present themselves.

Using good personal safety measures and securing your valuables will go a long way to enjoying a safe trip to White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.

How Does White Sulphur Springs Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

All international visitors need either a visa defining the purpose of the trip (tourist, work, school, etc.) or a visa waiver. Start the process using the Visa Wizard module on the U.S. State Department website. You can also download the CBP One mobile app for help on the go. Also, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your trip, or you’ll need to apply for a new one.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar (USD) is accepted in the United States. International airports usually have a currency exchange desk on site, while regional airports won’t. Your home bank offers the lowest fees. For those using credit cards, check to see if there’s a foreign transaction fee. Credit cards, not debit cards, offer the best fraud protection.

Weather

White Sulphur Springs experiences four distinct seasons. Summers are warm, with average highs in the 70s to 80s °F. Winters are cold, with average lows in the 20s to 30s °F. About two feet of snow can be expected each winter. The town receives about 36 inches of rainfall annually, with the wettest months being May and July. Spring and fall offer mild weather, and fall stands out for its beautiful foliage, especially in the surrounding mountains.

Airports

The closest commercial airports to White Sulphur Springs, WV, are Greenbrier Valley Airport (15 minutes away), Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (1.5 hours away), Yeager Airport in Charleston (2 hours away), and Lynchburg Regional Airport (1.5 hours away).

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance protects the cost of baggage loss/theft, delays, cancelations, and emergency health issues. Rental car insurance should include roadside assistance and uninsured motorist coverage. Comprehensive insurance offers the best peace of mind. If you are doing adventurous things like rafting the rapids or backpacking through the mountains, consider travel adventure insurance.

White Sulphur Springs Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

West Virginia - Safety by City