West Virginia Explorer celebrates record 3.3 million monthly users amid 25th anniversary

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Explorer, the state’s most comprehensive online guide to travel, history, and culture, is celebrating a major milestone. According to Google Analytics, the publication hosted more than 3.3 million users in August, marking one of the highest traffic surges in its 25-year history.

The record-breaking numbers reflect recent strategic investments and technical enhancements made as part of the explorer’s 25th anniversary reimagining, designed to expand its reach and improve the reader experience.

David Sibray, founder and publisher of West Virginia Explorer, said the leap forward was among the largest in the history of the online guide, though he expects even greater growth by the end of the year.

“This incredible response confirms what I’ve long said: don’t stop creating; don’t stop inventing. Try everything you can, and never let up—adapt, adapt, adapt,” Sibray said.

Since its founding in 1999, West Virginia Explorer has continued to evolve as a trusted digital resource, encompassing a wide range of topics, from outdoor recreation and travel destinations to history, folklore, and community life, and reaching far outside the borders of the Mountain State.

The anniversary reimagining includes cutting-edge SEO and content strategies, website enhancements, and expanded multimedia features, which are already driving unprecedented audience growth.

With its digital transformation underway, leadership at West Virginia Explorer anticipates continued growth in user numbers.

“We’re just getting started—again—and I say that every morning,” Sibray added. “These numbers are only the beginning of what’s to come. Readers can expect richer content, more interactive tools, and innovative ways to explore West Virginia.”

For 25 years, West Virginia Explorer has been dedicated to connecting people with the Mountain State’s beauty, history, and opportunities. Now, with record-breaking engagement, it’s poised to reach even greater heights in the years ahead.

Sibray emphasized that much of the present growth is the result of the work of Jonathan Moore, director of technology for the online publishing house, who has worked behind the scenes since the magazine’s inception.

“Moore is a force with which to be reckoned, “he said. “I certainly don’t have any of the technical expertise needed to operate even a simple website, no less one with thousands of pages that’s had to evolve over a quarter century.”

He also thanks the writers and contributors who work regularly to provide the stories needed to reach global audiences.

It takes a lot more than Jonathan and me to make this work. Over the past 25 years, many individuals have made significant contributions to make this work possible.

About West Virginia Explorer

Founded in 1999, West Virginia Explorer is the state’s leading independent online resource for travel, history, culture, and community. With millions of annual readers, it serves as a trusted guide for both residents and visitors seeking to discover the best of the Mountain State.

West Virginia Explorer is an independent online magazine and travel guide dedicated to the Mountain State’s places, people, and outdoor adventures. It publishes reporting and guides across recreation, culture, history, and travel planning, functioning as a comprehensive, continually updated resource for residents and visitors alike.

The publication was conceived in the late 1990s by journalist and publisher David Sibray, who developed the idea while working in print for Thomson Newspapers. He went on to found and edit the magazine that became West Virginia Explorer.

In its early growth, West Virginia Explorer expanded beyond a single site into a networked guide. By the mid-2000s, it had become a flagship hub for more than 30 regional travel guides, promoting destinations across West Virginia and the surrounding Appalachian region.

It later undertook a major redesign (proposed in 2011 and launched in 2013) to optimize for mobile readers and integrate social media, moves that helped solidify its role as an influential source for outdoor recreation and travel information in the state.
West Virginia Explorer

Today, more than 25 years after its founding, West Virginia Explorer continues to publish daily coverage—spanning parks and trails, communities and attractions, lore and history—while evolving its platform and features. The site is published by West Virginia Explorer LLC and maintains active channels for readers, contributors, and advertisers.