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    Forgotten grave of priest sheds light on West Virginia’s religious past

    History / Prehistory David Sibray -
    GLEN DALE, W.Va. — Lone graves aren't rare in West Virginia. Many pioneers and settlers perished in its mountains, far from friends and family....
    State Parks, Forests

    Stargazing cabins open at Coopers Rock State Forest near Morgantown

    1
    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia officials today announced the...
    Higher Education

    WVU School of Nursing campuses rank top in West Virginia for 2026

    0
    BECKLEY, W. Va. — The Beckley campus of the...
    Hiking

    West Virginia trail advocacy organization to hold statewide meetings this fall

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Trail advocates and trail-building organizations from...
    Lore and Legend

    A West Virginia hike with a haunting: Twin Falls trail honors Polk Hollow legend

    0
    SAULSVILLE, W.Va. — While reports of the Polk Hollow...
    Travel / Transportation

    This scenic West Virginia county enjoys three full months of fall foliage color

    2
    HINTON, W.Va. — Halfway along the Appalachian range from...
    Festivals / Events

    Kettle & Copper Community: The apple-butter tradition that simmers in West Virginia

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In the cool clarity of an...

    Most Popular Stories

    Hot this week

    Hiking

    Naturalists share their favorite lesser-known New River Gorge hiking trails

    0
    FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — On a soft summer morning in...
    State Parks, Forests

    Stargazing cabins open at Coopers Rock State Forest near Morgantown

    1
    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia officials today announced the...
    Travel / Transportation

    This scenic West Virginia county enjoys three full months of fall foliage color

    2
    HINTON, W.Va. — Halfway along the Appalachian range from...
    Arts

    Here's how West Virginia has contributed to American Country Music

    5
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — On a typical Saturday night in...
    Hiking

    West Virginia trail advocacy organization to hold statewide meetings this fall

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Trail advocates and trail-building organizations from...

    Popular Categories

    Economic Development126History / Prehistory118Hunting114Lore and Legend110State Parks, Forests108Arts104Higher Education96Agriculture89Wildlife / Conservancy79National Parks73Landmarks / Museums70Fishing70Recreation64Festivals / Events63Botany and Forestry61Travel / Transportation56

    Headlines

    Weird W.Va. wonder "Ice Mountain" open to tours by arrangement

    Natural Wonders Amanda Larch Hinchman -
    NORTH RIVER MILLS, W.Va.— One of West Virginia's most fascinating natural wonders, Ice Mountain, where winter ice lingers in...

    Peters Mountain Roar continues to mystify West Virginia residents

    Natural Wonders David Sibray -
    ZENITH, W.Va. — Those who have heard the haunting "Peters Mountain Roar" say it will forever stay with them....

    Tales of the Sliding Hill Ghosts are not forgotten by an older generation

    Lore and Legend David Sibray -
    HARTFORD CITY, W.Va. — Old-timers still tell of the ghosts that are said to haunt Sliding Hill in Mason...

    How the Pruntytown reformatory became a bogeyman in West Virginia

    History / Prehistory David Sibray -
    PRUNTYTOWN, W.Va. — If you were an unruly boy growing up in West Virginia before the 1980s, there's a...

    Naturalists share their favorite lesser-known New River Gorge hiking trails

    Hiking David Sibray -
    FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — On a soft summer morning in the New River Gorge, the forest comes to life with...

    Formerly inaccessible rock formation in West Virginia rediscovered

    Recreation David Sibray -
    BURNING SPRINGS, W.Va. — Practically inaccessible for years, one of the state’s legendary rock formations is attracting the attention...

    Ancient stone walls on Armstrong Mountain no old-timer's tale

    History / Prehistory David Sibray -
    If you grew up listening to the lore of old-timers in southern West Virginia, chances are you've heard of...

    Extraordinary rock "castle" being rediscovered in West Virginia town

    Natural Wonders David Sibray -
    PINEVILLE, W.Va. — Looming above the county seat of Wyoming County amid the mountains of southern West Virginia, a...

    Attractions

    West Virginia haunted by the ghosts of the Teays River and other ancient streams

    2
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia is haunted by the...

    The story behind the breathtaking Glade Creek Grist Mill at Babcock State Park

    2
    CLIFFTOP, W.Va. — At first glance, the Glade Creek...

    Beloved Camp Kootaga scouting landmark in W.Va. saved for generations to come

    1
    PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — For more than a century, Camp...

    Breathtaking Dolly Sods wilderness attracts throngs to West Virginia’s high country

    16
    LANEVILLE, W.Va. — At more than 4,000 feet above...

    Communities

    Filmmaker says here’s why everyone should visit this West Virginia ghost town

    16
    THURMOND, W.Va. — Deep in the New River Gorge,...

    Charleston, West Virginia, joins program attracting remote workers with $20K incentives

    29
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Remote workers looking for a new...

    West Virginia on track for brilliant fall foliage; new autumn map published

    2
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Autumn has arrived in West Virginia,...

    West Virginia woodland for sale on Barker’s Creek offers mountain serenity

    5
    MULLENS, W.Va. — Nestled deep within the wooded hollows...

    Culture

    Recreation

    West Virginia reminds hunters about upcoming youth seasons, changes to regulations

    1
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With the first slate of youth...

    West Virginia sets new migratory game bird seasons and 2025-2026 regulations

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia has set new season...

    Naturalists share their favorite lesser-known New River Gorge hiking trails

    0
    FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — On a soft summer morning in...

    Early bear firearms season opens August 30 in four southern West Virginia counties

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — An early bear firearms season will...

    History and Prehistory

    The Battle of Stanaford: A massacre in W.Va. vanished from the pages of labor history

    4
    STANAFORD, W.Va. — A quiet residential community outside the...

    Betrayed in life, buried in silence: Forgetting the victims of the Hawks Nest disaster

    20
    SUMMERSVILLE, W.Va. — In a ravine beside the U.S....

    Mysterious ghost-focused cult existed briefly in West Virginia in the 1850s

    2
    MOUNTAIN COVE, W.Va. — In a remote wilderness near...

    Praise the Lord, and pass the rattlesnakes! West Virginia’s fading snake handling tradition

    5
    JOLO, W.Va. — On a warm Sunday in late...

    Lore and Legend

    Mysterious Horse Creek ghost in West Virginia said to foretell the demise of presidents

    3
    PAX, W.Va. — Of the many spirits said to...

    McKinley Rock: The eerie stone face watching over Thurmond, West Virginia

    1
    THURMOND, W.Va. — High above the abandoned rail town...

    The captivating West Virginia legend of Kanawha Falls and her daughters

    4
    GAULEY BRIDGE, W.Va. — Though beautiful, the following tale...

    Appalachia's haunted highway: legends of West Virginia Turnpike ghosts

    6
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Completed in 1954, the West Virginia...

    State Parks

    Coopers Rock State Forest in W.Va. doubles number of campsites

    0
    BRUCETON MILLS, W.Va. — Twenty-five new campsites have been...

    West Virginia unveils daily one-mile trail program in 32 state parks

    4
    BEAVER, W.Va. — To encourage West Virginians to walk...

    Pinnacle Rock geologic marvel in West Virginia part of larger formation

    0
    BRAMWELL, W.Va. — Towering above the valley of the...

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

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

    Hunting

    Early bear firearms season opens August 30 in four southern West Virginia counties

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — An early bear firearms season will...

    Apply now for W.Va. deer hunt lottery during 2025 antlerless season

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

    W.Va. sets final segment of 2024-'25 wild boar archery, firearms seasons

    0
    SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The final segment of West...

    2024 fall turkey harvest up 17 percent in West Virginia, officials say

    0
    SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. —  Hunters in West Virginia harvested...

    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

    W.Va. Gov. celebrates expanded access to Endless Wall hiking trail

    0
    LANSING, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice and other state...

    Expert New River Gorge hiker shares her four favorite national park trails

    0
    FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — Which are the best hiking trails...

    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...

    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

    Organizations join forces to apprehend New River Gorge vandals

    0
    GLEN JEAN, W.Va. — Two organizations in West Virginia...

    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...

    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

    Forgotten grave of priest sheds light on West Virginia’s religious past

    History / Prehistory David Sibray -
    GLEN DALE, W.Va. — Lone graves aren't rare in West Virginia. Many pioneers and settlers perished in its mountains,...

    The tale of West Virginia's Shades-of-Death Creek may have biblical origin

    Lore and Legend David Sibray -
    MAPLEWOOD, W.Va. — How did "Shades-of-Death Creek" in southern West Virginia gain such a strange name? The mystery has...

    Five reasons why your family should visit West Virginia this winter 

    Skiing and Snowsports Hinaa Noor -
    CANAAN VALLEY, W.Va. – During a time of year when snuggling under a blanket seems more reasonable than going...

    West Virginia trust invests in SensorHubb in push for tech growth, safer food

    Economic Development David Sibray -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust has made a $400,000 equity investment in SensorHubb, formally known...

    Here's how West Virginia has contributed to American Country Music

    Arts Clyde Craig -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — On a typical Saturday night in the 1930s, when coal dust and church bells marked the...

    Stargazing cabins open at Coopers Rock State Forest near Morgantown

    State Parks, Forests David Sibray -
    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia officials today announced the opening of the first five stargazing cabins at Coopers Rock...

    WVU School of Nursing campuses rank top in West Virginia for 2026

    Higher Education Clyde Craig -
    BECKLEY, W. Va. — The Beckley campus of the School of Nursing at West Virginia University Tech has secured...

    West Virginia trail advocacy organization to hold statewide meetings this fall

    Hiking Clyde Craig -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Trail advocates and trail-building organizations from across West Virginia are being asked to voice their opinions...

    A West Virginia hike with a haunting: Twin Falls trail honors Polk Hollow legend

    Lore and Legend David Sibray -
    SAULSVILLE, W.Va. — While reports of the Polk Hollow Monster haven't reached the frequency they had in the 1970s...

    This scenic West Virginia county enjoys three full months of fall foliage color

    Travel / Transportation David Sibray -
    HINTON, W.Va. — Halfway along the Appalachian range from north to south, West Virginia enjoys one of the longest...

    Kettle & Copper Community: The apple-butter tradition that simmers in West Virginia

    Festivals / Events Bianca Bosworth -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In the cool clarity of an autumn morning in West Virginia, a ring of people gather...

    How a violent West Virginia textbook battle helped redefine U.S. education

    History / Prehistory Clyde Craig -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In the spring of 1974, an unassuming school board meeting in Kanawha County ignited a tempest...
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    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.

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    Headlines

    Weird W.Va. wonder "Ice Mountain" open to tours by arrangement

    3
    NORTH RIVER MILLS, W.Va.— One of West Virginia's most...

    Peters Mountain Roar continues to mystify West Virginia residents

    4
    ZENITH, W.Va. — Those who have heard the haunting...

    Tales of the Sliding Hill Ghosts are not forgotten by an older generation

    2
    HARTFORD CITY, W.Va. — Old-timers still tell of the...

    How the Pruntytown reformatory became a bogeyman in West Virginia

    1
    PRUNTYTOWN, W.Va. — If you were an unruly boy...

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