Spring arrives by sound and bloom in the hills of West Virginia

FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — In West Virginia, spring doesn't begin on a single date. It begins with a sound.

On mild late-winter evenings, a high, piping chorus rises from ponds, wetlands, and roadside ditches across central Appalachia. These are spring peepers—tiny tree frogs whose mating calls are among the earliest signs that winter is loosening its grip and warmer weather is on the way.

Biologists and wildlife enthusiasts have long noted that peeper choruses typically emerge in the state’s lower elevations in late February and early March, then move gradually upslope through April as temperatures warm.

That natural signal often marks the beginning of an extended travel season in West Virginia. From early wildflower blooms at lower elevations in March to full canopy bloom and outdoor festivals in May, the transition from winter to spring unfolds slowly across the Mountain State.

Early Spring in March: Green Returns to the Valleys

March often brings the first visible signs of spring in West Virginia’s lower terrain. Along major river corridors and in regions such as the New River Gorge, forests begin to show early buds and colors, and lowland wildflowers such as trout lilies and violets emerge.

These early blooms carpet forest floors before the trees leaf out, creating a striking seasonal backdrop for hikes and scenic drives.

Trail systems around Charleston, Morgantown, Harpers Ferry, and southern West Virginia provide early opportunities for nature watching and birding as migratory species return and resident wildlife becomes more active with rising temperatures.

April: Wildflowers, Ramps, and Community Celebrations

April is widely regarded as the heart of spring in the state, with wildflowers blooming in woods, fields, and along streambanks. This month also coincides with a series of annual cultural events that celebrate both Appalachian traditions and seasonal foods.

Among the most notable are West Virginia ramp dinners and festivals—events that celebrate "ramps," wild mountain leeks traditionally foraged and enjoyed in Appalachia in spring. More than 50 ramp feeds are hosted across the state. Many are small, private affairs, though most are fundraisers that attract both tourists and locals.

In Nicholas County, the city of Richwood—known locally as the “Ramp Capital of the World”—hosts the Feast of the Ramson, the grandaddy of ramp festivals, a long-running culinary event featuring traditional ramp dishes, brown beans, cornbread, ham, and arts and crafts vendors.

Across the state, seasonal guides list additional spring festivals that typically begin in April, including chocolate, nature, and birding celebrations, although exact dates vary year to year.

May: High Elevation Green and Seasonal Traditions

By May, spring has reached even West Virginia’s highest elevations, filling woodland canopies with green and increasing activity on scenic byways and hiking trails. It may also usher in larger cultural events that draw visitors from across the state.

One of the most established is the Vandalia Gathering, a multi-day celebration of Appalachian music, dance, and crafts held on the Capitol grounds in Charleston over Memorial Day weekend. The annual event features performances, competitions, and demonstrations of traditional arts and music from across the region.

The West Virginia Strawberry Festival in Buckhannon is another longstanding spring event. Held in May, the festival honors the annual strawberry harvest with parades, food, music, and family activities, and regularly attracts tens of thousands of attendees over its multi-day run.

In addition to these signature events, statewide spring calendars include regional trail runs, craft shows, nature festivals, and community gatherings that span May and early summer.

A season unfolds across the mountains

Spring in West Virginia doesn't arrive all at once; it works its way up from river valleys to mountain ridges over several months. The season begins quietly with frog songs in late winter, gathers color with early wildflowers in March and April, and culminates in the cultural traditions and outdoor festivals of May.

For travelers and residents alike, that slow ascent offers a chance to experience a broad spring palette—from the first peeper choruses to the full bloom of Appalachian forests and the community gatherings that celebrate the start of warmer weather.