Subscribe
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
70.2 F
Beckley
type here...
More
    Subscribe

    The Bustle Flag: How Martinsburg’s Unionist women defied the Confederacy

    History / Prehistory William Kerrigan -
    MARTINSBURG, W.Va — The prosperous manufacturing town of Martinsburg in Berkeley County, West Virginia, was thrust into turmoil at the outset of the Civil...
    Natural Wonders

    Forgotten Drawdy Falls in West Virginia inspiring new generation to care

    2
    PEYTONA, W.Va. — Drawdy Falls, one of the most...
    Lore and Legend

    The Pickens Leper: a tragic journey into isolation in the W.Va. mountains

    11
    PICKENS, W.Va. — In the remote Allegheny Mountains of...
    Travel / Transportation

    West Virginia Waterfall Trail surpasses an unexpected 125,000 check-ins

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Waterfall Trail has...
    Landmarks / Museums

    At tip of W.Va.'s northern panhandle, "Point of Beginning" marks start of the West

    1
    EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio — Some say that the American...
    Travel / Transportation

    Top 10 largest West Virginia cities by population (2025)

    4
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia cities and towns vary...
    Festivals / Events

    Jackson’s Mill Jubilee set to crown best homemade pie in West Virginia

    0
    WESTON, W.Va. — Nothing speaks to West Virginia tradition...

    Most Popular Stories

    Hot this week

    Lore and Legend

    The captivating West Virginia legend of Kanawha Falls and her daughters

    2
    GAULEY BRIDGE, W.Va. — Though beautiful, the following tale...
    Natural Wonders

    Forgotten Drawdy Falls in West Virginia inspiring new generation to care

    2
    PEYTONA, W.Va. — Drawdy Falls, one of the most...
    Travel / Transportation

    West Virginia Waterfall Trail surpasses an unexpected 125,000 check-ins

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Waterfall Trail has...
    Lore and Legend

    The Pickens Leper: a tragic journey into isolation in the W.Va. mountains

    11
    PICKENS, W.Va. — In the remote Allegheny Mountains of...
    Landmarks / Museums

    At tip of W.Va.'s northern panhandle, "Point of Beginning" marks start of the West

    1
    EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio — Some say that the American...

    Popular Categories

    Economic Development122History / Prehistory113Lore and Legend110Hunting109State Parks, Forests106Arts103Higher Education94Agriculture89Wildlife / Conservancy75National Parks72Fishing70Landmarks / Museums66Recreation64Botany and Forestry61Festivals / Events60Travel / Transportation51

    Headlines

    Nature’s classroom in the Kanawha Valley: A vibrant trail system blossoms in Buffalo

    Hiking David Sibray -
    BUFFALO, W.Va. — Among the fields and wetlands of the lower Kanawha Valley in West Virginia, a green haven...

    West Virginia to host first-ever Spartan Trifecta World Championship in the U.S.

    Festivals / Events David Sibray -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia will make history in 2025 when it becomes the first U.S. location to host...

    The captivating West Virginia legend of Kanawha Falls and her daughters

    Lore and Legend David Sibray -
    GAULEY BRIDGE, W.Va. — Though beautiful, the following tale of Kanawha Falls in West Virginia may not have originated...

    Solar flowers capture attention along the Kanawha River at Buffalo

    Economic Development David Sibray -
    BUFFALO, W.Va. — An array of five giant "solar flowers" is capturing the attention of motorists travelling scenic Charleston...

    How Devil Anse Hatfield became a bold symbol of change in Appalachia

    History / Prehistory Clyde Craig -
    LOGAN, W.Va. — By the time the world would come to know him as “Devil Anse,” Anderson Hatfield had...

    Top 10 largest West Virginia cities by population (2025)

    Travel / Transportation Clyde Craig -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia cities and towns vary in size from the state capital at Charleston, the largest,...

    The 10 best swimming holes in West Virginia for ideal summer escapes

    Natural Wonders Bianca Bosworth -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Whether you're chasing cool, crystal-clear waters or hidden natural pools tucked into lush forest valleys, these...

    Tale of the "Screaming Lady" based on true West Virginia historical horror

    Lore and Legend David Sibray -
    POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — Some of the most chilling tales of hauntings in West Virginia are based on actual...

    Attractions

    Natural wonder reopens: legendary Wind Caves may soon welcome tourists

    1
    ELIZABETH, W.Va. — One of the best-kept secrets in...

    Discover West Virginia waterfalls with one of its chief photographers

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia waterfalls are attracting the...

    Sandstone Falls emerges as a must-see destination in the New River Gorge

    1
    SANDSTONE, W.Va. — Sandstone Falls, one of the most...

    West Virginia’s Farm-to-Table dinner series returns with scenic feasts, local flavor

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The highly anticipated Farm-to-Table Dinner Series...

    Communities

    Splash into Fun: The Six Best Waterparks in West Virginia (2025 Guide)

    1
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s natural beauty is world-famous,...

    The best East Coast stargazing? Discover West Virginia dark-sky wonders

    1
    MOUNT ZION, W.Va. — If you’re searching for the...

    Nightfall’s Value: Light pollution can diminish real estate worth in W.Va.

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — An increasing number of new West...

    The histories of the Grimes Golden and Golden Delicious apples in West Virginia

    5
    CHARLESTON, W.Va.— Around 1790, in a small clearing on...

    Culture

    August in West Virginia: When mountain customs come home

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — August in West Virginia is a...

    Historic West Virginia heat waves and how the state can recover its coolness

    1
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — While known for its forests and...

    West Virginia to host first-ever Spartan Trifecta World Championship in the U.S.

    2
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia will make history in...

    From Jerry West to Best Virginia, basketball in West Virginia is a unifying force

    3
    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Mountain State is a land...

    Recreation

    Parks partner with nonprofit to make golf more affordable for W.Va. youth

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia's state park system is...

    Secret bunker in W.Va. built to hide Congress in event of nuclear war

    4
    WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS. W.Va. — A vast underground bunker...

    Did a settler survive lost in caverns beneath W.Va.'s Greenbrier Valley?

    2
    LEWISBURG, W.Va. — One of the strangest tales to...

    Family-friendly Free Fishing Days in West Virginia to return June 7-8

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Free Fishing Days will return June...

    History and Prehistory

    Historic West Virginia heat waves and how the state can recover its coolness

    1
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — While known for its forests and...

    From Jerry West to Best Virginia, basketball in West Virginia is a unifying force

    3
    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Mountain State is a land...

    The five worst floods in West Virginia history: A Chronicle of Disaster

    1
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Shaped by rugged mountains and winding...

    Remarkable encounter: John Brown’s final moments witnessed by Stonewall Jackson

    9
    CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — On December 1, 1859, abolitionist...

    Lore and Legend

    Does a monster lurk in the New River Gorge in southern West Virginia?

    0
    CUNARD, W.Va. — Tales of a "monster" said to...

    Three facts about the Mothman legend few monster hunters know

    2
    POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — America's quintessential Atomic Age monster,...

    Tale of Kanawha County monster may have first been documented in 1950s

    3
    PINCH, W.Va. — The legend of a now well-publicized...

    Bigfoot sightings near Sutton, West Virginia, have historic precedent

    1
    SUTTON, W.Va. — Sightings of a bigfoot alleged in...

    State Parks

    Tu-Endie-Wei in W.Va. added to Underground Railroad network

    0
    POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — Tu-Endie-Wei State Park has been...

    New trail connects off-road trail system with Chief Logan park lodge

    0
    LOGAN, W.Va. — A new 4.6-mile trail connecting Chief...

    Lost River, Cass Scenic Railroad state parks to see major expansions

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Lost River State Park and Cass...

    Extraordinary Beartown State Park a classroom for West Virginia geology

    0
    DROOP, W.Va. — Among the smallest state parks in...

    Hunting

    W.Va. officials urge participation in early antlerless deer season

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia officials are urging hunters...

    December deer, bear hunting seasons underway in West Virginia

    0
    SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — December hunting season for deer...

    W.Va. reminds hunters about furbearer seasons, river otter project

    0
    SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With the raccoon hunting season...

    W.Va. sets important 2023-'24 migratory game bird season dates

    0
    FARMINGTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural...

    Fishing

    Record West Virginia blue catfish broken fourth year in a row

    0
    GALLIPOLIS FERRY, W.Va. — For the fourth year in...

    West Virginia to stock upper Elk River in pilot winter trout program

    0
    WEBSTER SPRINGS, W.Va. — The W.Va. Division of Natural...

    West Virginia stocks 43 waters during first week of fall trout stocking

    0
    SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The W.Va. Division of Natural...

    West Virginia angler catches state record longnose gar

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — According to state officials, an 11-year...

    Hiking

    Five reasons West Virginia is an ultimate winter hiking destination

    0
    FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — While West Virginia has gained worldwide...

    Endless Wall Trail named Best Hike in West Virginia by magazine

    0
    LANSING, W.Va. — The Endless Wall Trail has again...

    Six tips for hiking through the West Virginia forest in winter weather

    0
    FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — Hiking in West Virginia in winter...

    W.Va. records largest spring turkey harvest in five years

    0
    FARMINGTON, W.VA. — According to preliminary data released by...

    Skiing

    Snowshoe Mountain in W.Va. ranks among most affordable ski resorts

    0
    SLATYFORK, W.Va. — Snowshoe Mountain in the Allegheny Mountains...

    Snowshoe Mountain to open skiing, snowboarding by Thanksgiving

    0
    SNOWSHOE, W.Va. — In advance of a strong El...

    Canaan Valley rated one of top U.S. ski, winter destinations

    0
    DAVIS, W.Va. — More than a few magazines in...

    Record conditions: Canaan to open slopes Dec. 13

    0
    Officials at Canaan Valley Resort in West Virginia will...

    National Parks

    Grandview panoramas showcase New River Gorge at its widest, deepest

    0
    SHADY SPRING, W.Va. — Perched more than 1,400 feet...

    Park ranger lists the four must-see attractions in the New River Gorge

    0
    THURMOND, W.Va.—Visiting America's newest national park? There are countless...

    Economic impacts nearly double at Harpers Ferry park over a decade

    0
    HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. — Economic impacts have nearly doubled...

    Spending near national parks in southern W.Va. jumps by 9 percent

    0
    GLEN JEAN, W.Va. – The National Park Service reports...

    Kayaking

    W.Va. flatwater trail commission set to build connections

    0
    Established a year ago, West Virginia’s flatwater trail commission...

    Flatwater paddling expanding quickly across West Virginia

    0
    West Virginia is growing rapidly as a destination for...

    Kayaks opening Guyandotte valley to new exploration

    0
    The valley of the Guyandotte might be counted among...

    June 1 float supports West Fork, now prime kayak-fishing destination

    0
    The West Fork River is fast becoming one of...

    Whitewater Rafting

    Cool autumn weather could super-charge Gauley River rafting

    0
    The return of autumn could result in an end-of-season...

    Gauley River whitewater rafting season begins Sept. 6

    0
    One of the most scenic rivers in the U.S....

    Help build guide to booming West Virginia paddling events

    0
    Paddling sports such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are...

    Eventful and colorful, October ideal for rafting in West Virginia

    0
    October may be the biggest month yet when it...

    Biking

    New Parkersburg-area trail designed for intermediate level bikers

    0
    Already among the most popular destinations for mountain biking...

    Piney Creek trails attracting dozens daily; trail map unveiled

    0
    Hikers, bikers, and runners in growing numbers are venturing...

    Gorge resort introduces electric-assist mountain bike adventures

    0
    Imagine peddling less and riding faster. The new electric-assist...

    New trail to historic mill ruin to open Saturday in Beckley

    0
    Officials in Beckley, West Virginia, on Saturday will open...

    Recent Posts

    The Bustle Flag: How Martinsburg’s Unionist women defied the Confederacy

    History / Prehistory William Kerrigan -
    MARTINSBURG, W.Va — The prosperous manufacturing town of Martinsburg in Berkeley County, West Virginia, was thrust into turmoil at...

    National Hunting and Fishing Day returns to Stonewall resort Sept. 6

    Festivals / Events Will Reedy -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — National Hunting and Fishing Day 2025, the state’s largest annual celebration of hunting, fishing, and outdoor...

    Monument to coal baron in W.Va. hidden deep within New River Gorge

    History / Prehistory Cody Straley -
    QUNNIMONT, W.Va. — The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia is a treasure trove of...

    Embracing the rich bounty of the West Virginia fall harvest

    Agriculture Bianca Bosworth -
    CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — The West Virginia fall harvest is particularly meaningful for state natives. As the crisp air...

    The captivating West Virginia legend of Kanawha Falls and her daughters

    Lore and Legend David Sibray -
    GAULEY BRIDGE, W.Va. — Though beautiful, the following tale of Kanawha Falls in West Virginia may not have originated...

    Forgotten Drawdy Falls in West Virginia inspiring new generation to care

    Natural Wonders David Sibray -
    PEYTONA, W.Va. — Drawdy Falls, one of the most scenic and accessible waterfalls in West Virginia, is attracting a...

    The Pickens Leper: a tragic journey into isolation in the W.Va. mountains

    Lore and Legend David Sibray -
    PICKENS, W.Va. — In the remote Allegheny Mountains of northern West Virginia lies a solitary grave, marked only by...

    West Virginia Waterfall Trail surpasses an unexpected 125,000 check-ins

    Travel / Transportation David Sibray -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Waterfall Trail has surpassed 125,000 check-ins since its launch in 2022, according to...

    At tip of W.Va.'s northern panhandle, "Point of Beginning" marks start of the West

    Landmarks / Museums David Sibray -
    EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio — Some say that the American West begins at West Virginia— specifically at the tip of...

    Top 10 largest West Virginia cities by population (2025)

    Travel / Transportation Clyde Craig -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia cities and towns vary in size from the state capital at Charleston, the largest,...

    Jackson’s Mill Jubilee set to crown best homemade pie in West Virginia

    Festivals / Events David Sibray -
    WESTON, W.Va. — Nothing speaks to West Virginia tradition quite like a homemade pie, and this year’s jubilee at...

    Solar flowers capture attention along the Kanawha River at Buffalo

    Economic Development David Sibray -
    BUFFALO, W.Va. — An array of five giant "solar flowers" is capturing the attention of motorists travelling scenic Charleston...
    Load more

    Popular

    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.

    Company

    Headlines

    Nature’s classroom in the Kanawha Valley: A vibrant trail system blossoms in Buffalo

    0
    BUFFALO, W.Va. — Among the fields and wetlands of...

    West Virginia to host first-ever Spartan Trifecta World Championship in the U.S.

    2
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia will make history in...

    The captivating West Virginia legend of Kanawha Falls and her daughters

    2
    GAULEY BRIDGE, W.Va. — Though beautiful, the following tale...

    Solar flowers capture attention along the Kanawha River at Buffalo

    4
    BUFFALO, W.Va. — An array of five giant "solar...

    Newsletter

    Get important news delivered directly to your inbox and stay connected!

    © Copyright 2000, 2002, 2006, 2012-2014, 2025 West Virginia Explorer. All rights reserved.