The new Elk River Trail State Park is attracting business interest to central West Virginia. (Photo courtesy Lucy Hosova)
Elk River Trail State Park
State Parks
West Virginia state parks, Smooth Ambler expand branded bourbon partnership statewide
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A partnership blending West Virginia’s outdoor...
Longtime West Virginia state parks leader details the park system’s real impact
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — After more than five decades working...
Benedum foundation awards $50,000 to West Virginia State Parks Foundation
HURRICANE, W.Va. — The West Virginia State Parks Foundation...
Why West Virginia's state parks matter now more than ever
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As the 100th anniversary of West...
Overlook at Coopers Rock State Forest in West Virginia closed for repairs
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The renowned main overlook at Coopers...
Travel and Transportation
West Virginia Travel Safety: What it means for residents and visitors in 2026
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Travel safety in West Virginia is...
Spring arrives by sound and bloom in the hills of West Virginia
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — In West Virginia, spring doesn't begin...
Why weather in the Allegheny Mountains is so different from the rest of West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginians like to say, “If...
Travel and outdoor insurance matter for backcountry adventures in West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia backcountry is having...
Helvetia, West Virginia: Where Swiss tradition and Appalachian spirit defy time
HELVETIA, W.Va. — History will tell you the name...
National Parks
Lost village of "Lilly" hides in national park lands in West Virginia
HINTON, W.Va. — Deep in a forested gorge where...
Tourism surge in southern West Virginia yields more than $108 million for local economy
GLEN JEAN, W.Va. — A newly released report from...
Oral history recordings now available on New River Gorge national park website
GLEN JEAN, W.Va. — Officials at the New River...
Park Service releases finding on demos of historic structures in New River Gorge
GLEN JEAN, W.Va. — The National Park Service has...
Sandstone Falls emerges as a must-see destination in the New River Gorge
SANDSTONE, W.Va. — Sandstone Falls, one of the most...
Economic Development
Study finds WVU and its health system account for 17% of West Virginia’s economy
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia University and the WVU...
Is it more cost-effective to restore or rebuild in West Virginia downtowns?
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As communities across West Virginia consider...
WorkForce West Virginia to host Feb. 4 virtual job fair as employers seek workers
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As West Virginia employers continue to...
West Virginia hosts outdoor economy summit as communities rethink economics
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — For many West Virginia communities, outdoor...
Webinar examines housing stairway safety in growing West Virginia small towns
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As remote work reshapes where Americans...
State Parks
West Virginia state parks, Smooth Ambler expand branded bourbon partnership statewide
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A partnership blending West Virginia’s outdoor...
Longtime West Virginia state parks leader details the park system’s real impact
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — After more than five decades working...
Benedum foundation awards $50,000 to West Virginia State Parks Foundation
HURRICANE, W.Va. — The West Virginia State Parks Foundation...
Why West Virginia's state parks matter now more than ever
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As the 100th anniversary of West...
Overlook at Coopers Rock State Forest in West Virginia closed for repairs
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The renowned main overlook at Coopers...
Travel and Transportation
West Virginia Travel Safety: What it means for residents and visitors in 2026
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Travel safety in West Virginia is...
Spring arrives by sound and bloom in the hills of West Virginia
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — In West Virginia, spring doesn't begin...
Why weather in the Allegheny Mountains is so different from the rest of West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginians like to say, “If...
Travel and outdoor insurance matter for backcountry adventures in West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia backcountry is having...
Helvetia, West Virginia: Where Swiss tradition and Appalachian spirit defy time
HELVETIA, W.Va. — History will tell you the name...
National Parks
Lost village of "Lilly" hides in national park lands in West Virginia
HINTON, W.Va. — Deep in a forested gorge where...
Tourism surge in southern West Virginia yields more than $108 million for local economy
GLEN JEAN, W.Va. — A newly released report from...
Oral history recordings now available on New River Gorge national park website
GLEN JEAN, W.Va. — Officials at the New River...
Park Service releases finding on demos of historic structures in New River Gorge
GLEN JEAN, W.Va. — The National Park Service has...
Sandstone Falls emerges as a must-see destination in the New River Gorge
SANDSTONE, W.Va. — Sandstone Falls, one of the most...
Economic Development
Study finds WVU and its health system account for 17% of West Virginia’s economy
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia University and the WVU...
Is it more cost-effective to restore or rebuild in West Virginia downtowns?
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As communities across West Virginia consider...
WorkForce West Virginia to host Feb. 4 virtual job fair as employers seek workers
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As West Virginia employers continue to...
West Virginia hosts outdoor economy summit as communities rethink economics
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — For many West Virginia communities, outdoor...
Webinar examines housing stairway safety in growing West Virginia small towns
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As remote work reshapes where Americans...
West Virginia Explorer Webzine is an online publication that celebrates the Mountain State's rich culture and natural beauty. Readers enjoy travel tips, hidden gems, outdoor adventures, local lore, and community news. For more than a quarter century, we've been the No. 1 trusted guide for exploring West Virginia.
Headlines
Peters Mountain Roar continues to mystify West Virginia residents
ZENITH, W.Va. — Those who have heard the haunting...
Remote monument recalls origins of Farley family in New River valley
PIPESTEM, W.Va. — Many of the thousands of people...
LOVE-HATE tattoos have terrifying origin in West Virginia nightmare
MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. — The iconic LOVE-HATE tattoos that adorn...
Bigfoot sightings near Sutton, West Virginia, have historic precedent
SUTTON, W.Va. — Sightings of a bigfoot alleged in...
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