Two of America's best whitewater rivers -- the exciting New and treacherous Gauley -- course through forested canyons less than 30 minutes from Mount Hope. The nearby New is one of the nation's best-known intermediate whitewater rivers, attracting tens of thousands of amateur and expert rafters each summer. Further north, the Gauley is one of the world's most challenging whitewater courses, luring the world's expert rafters and kayakers during high water in October.

No matter what your mode of non-vehicular travel, you'll find a paradise of trails weaving among the local highlands and gorges. Many miles of public trails explore the forests of the adjacent New River Gorge National River and nearby Hawk's Nest and Babcock state parks and Plum Orchard Wildlife Management Area. Undeveloped trails follow old mining and logging roads throughout the entire region.

Hunting and fishing are integrated into every aspect of West Virginia culture, and for this reason our hunting and fishing areas are many and well developed. To the east of Mount Hope sprawls the Plum Orchard Lake Wildlife Management Area, which features excellent hunting and one of the best Bluegill holes in the Eastern U.S. To the west, Mount Hopes Dunloup Creek flows into the canyon of New River, a swift-moving stream that offers fishing for every local variety -- small-mouth bass, large-mouth bass, channel catfish, brown trout, rainbow trout. Farm ponds and mountain streams supplement the angling opportunities. Public and private hunting lands cover most of the region.

Less than 20-minutes north of Mount Hope, cliffs along the rim of the New River Gorge make up the largest rock-climbing area in the Eastern U.S. Thousands of climbers make an annual journey to the region to scale the sandstone's vertical cracks and enjoy the tremendous views the canyon affords. Skiers will find one of the most accessible ski resorts in the south only 30 minutes away at Winterplace on I-77. Other ski resorts are located less than three-hours to the north and east at Snowshoe and Canaan Valley.

Golfing

Golfers will find dozens of excellent courses within an hour's drive, including the world-class courses at The Greenbrier. Six courses encircle Beckley, to the south, and four grace the New River highlands, to the north. Many courses include restaurants, lounges, and other recreation facilities including health clubs and tennis courts.

Indoor Recreation

Gymnasiums, health clubs, bowling alleys, country clubs, and other recreation facilities pepper the hillsides around the Mount Hope, Beckley, and Oak Hill areas. All are convenient to Mount Hope and the local interstate network.