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Wednesday, November 5, 2025
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    Canaan Valley resort announces $6 million upgrade ahead of winter season

    Skiing and Snowsports David Sibray -
    DAVIS, W.Va. — Officials at Canaan Valley Resort State Park in northern West Virginia say they're gearing up for an exciting ski season with...
    History / Prehistory

    Prehistoric burial mound in West Virginia contains remarkable secret

    18
    SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Rising above the end of...
    Travel / Transportation

    How long does the autumn leaf change last in West Virginia?

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Although October is quickly coming to...
    ATV Touring

    Hatfield–McCoy trails system now connected to Virginia’s Spearhead trails

    0
    BRAMWELL, W.Va. — Off-road enthusiasts have even more ground...
    Health and Medicine

    Don’t ignore the winter blues: Seasonal affective disorder is a serious form of depression

    0
    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As the days grow shorter and...
    Economic Development

    West Virginia historic preservation grants open for 2026 applications

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia is now accepting applications...
    State Parks, Forests

    Blackwater Falls State Park begins online ticket sales for sled run

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia State Parks officials today...

    Most Popular Stories

    Hot this week

    Arts

    Horror film shot in West Virginia, ‘Self Help’ to hit theaters nationwide on Halloween

    3
    HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — A horror-thriller filmed in Huntington in...
    History / Prehistory

    Prehistoric burial mound in West Virginia contains remarkable secret

    18
    SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Rising above the end of...
    State Parks, Forests

    West Virginia launches pet-friendly "West FURginia" state park ranger program

    1
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia officials have launched the...
    Festivals / Events

    First Lady invites community for gingerbread contest, mansion tree decorating

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia First Lady Denise Morrisey...
    Lore and Legend

    Biggest of the year, Beaver Moon will light November sky, recall early West Virginia history

    2
    BEAVER, W.Va. — For those who step outside on...

    Popular Categories

    Economic Development127History / Prehistory120Hunting120Lore and Legend114State Parks, Forests112Arts107Higher Education98Agriculture91Wildlife / Conservancy81Landmarks / Museums75National Parks74Fishing71Travel / Transportation65Festivals / Events65Recreation64Botany and Forestry62

    Headlines

    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...

    West Virginia monitoring seasonal hemorrhagic disease in deer populations

    Wildlife / Conservancy Will Reedy -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Cases of hemorrhagic disease in deer have been confirmed in Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, and Wood counties...

    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...

    West Virginia launches pet-friendly "West FURginia" state park ranger program

    State Parks, Forests David Sibray -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia officials have launched the West "FURginia" State Park Ranger program, a pet-friendly initiative designed...

    First Lady invites community for gingerbread contest, mansion tree decorating

    Festivals / Events Bianca Bosworth -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia First Lady Denise Morrisey is inviting students, educators, and artisans from across the state...

    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 tourism tops record $9 billion in annual economic impact

    Travel / Transportation David Sibray -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. - The W.Va. Department of Tourism today announced that the state has surpassed $9.1 billion in annual...

    Improved access opens legendary "Devil Anse" Hatfield cemetery to more visitors

    Landmarks / Museums David Sibray -
    SARAH ANN, W.Va. — A new entrance to a historic Hatfield Cemetery in southern West Virginia is making it...

    Attractions

    West Virginia State Parks Foundation awarded $17,500 grant for forestry work

    0
    HURRICANE, W.Va. — The West Virginia State Parks Foundation...

    Six West Virginia landmarks added to the National Register of Historic Places

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Six landmarks across West Virginia have...

    Historic stone walls in Morgantown, West Virginia, added to the national register

    5
    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The National Park Service has accepted...

    Swing into autumn with West Virginia’s three new Almost Heaven swings

    3
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Officials at the W.Va. Department of...

    Communities

    West Virginia University expert shares tips to keep fall mums blooming longer

    0
    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The brilliant colors of chrysanthemums, or...

    Peak fall color in West Virginia: the science and spectacle of Appalachian autumn

    0
    DAVIS, W.Va. — When the first sharp chill settles...

    Three West Virginia resorts ranked among best in U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler

    3
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Top travel destinations in West Virginia...

    WVU president urges university to ‘think big’ in first State of the University address

    0
    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Michael T. Benson, new president of...

    Culture

    Account claims lost Swift silver mine delved near Big Sandy River in West Virginia

    4
    HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — One of the most appealing of...

    Shenandoah folk song: tracing the origins and meaning of a beloved American ballad

    4
    HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. — It’s fair to say that...

    Arts gathering will spotlight creative revitalization Oct. 24-26 in Princeton

    0
    PRINCETON, W.Va. — Artists, educators, and community leaders from...

    How an obscure, mysterious writer in West Virginia invented UFO lore as we know it

    0
    RIFFLE, W.Va.— The blockbuster Men in Black film franchise...

    Recreation

    Eight ghost towns in southern West Virginia worth visiting

    5
    THURMOND, W.Va. — One of the richest aspects of...

    2025 wild turkey hunting season in West Virginia to launch October 11

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Wild turkey hunting will return to...

    Duck, goose, waterfowl hunting season in West Virginia open October 4

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Several migratory bird hunting seasons will...

    2025 archery and crossbow hunting seasons open September 27 in West Virginia

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Officials at the W.Va. Division of...

    History and Prehistory

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

    6
    GLEN DALE, W.Va. — Lone graves aren't rare in...

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

    2
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In the spring of 1974, an...

    The U.S state that almost was: How West Virginia nearly became “Kanawha”

    3
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — When you think of West Virginia,...

    Wolves and panthers roamed the forgotten wilderness east of the West Virginia capital

    10
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Glance at a road map of...

    Lore and Legend

    Shenandoah folk song: tracing the origins and meaning of a beloved American ballad

    4
    HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. — It’s fair to say that...

    How an obscure, mysterious writer in West Virginia invented UFO lore as we know it

    0
    RIFFLE, W.Va.— The blockbuster Men in Black film franchise...

    Mysterious Wetzel County worm invasion wreaked havoc in West Virginia in 1918

    2
    LITTLETON, W.Va. — In the summer of 1918, a...

    Polemic Run, West Virginia: A roadside journey hidden off the expressway

    5
    BIRCH RIVER, W.Va. — Each day, more than 10,000...

    State Parks

    Stargazing cabins open at Coopers Rock State Forest near Morgantown

    2
    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia officials today announced the...

    Chief Logan State Park in West Virginia debuts a fully accessible playground

    0
    LOGAN, W.Va. — Chief Logan State Park has unveiled...

    Scenic tram at Pipestem Resort State Park in West Virginia reopens

    0
    PIPESTEM, W.Va. — After two years of construction, a...

    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...

    Hunting

    First section of autumn 2025 black bear firearms season opens in West Virginia

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Officials at the W.Va. Division of...

    West Virginia releases its 2025 hunting outlook and mast survey report

    1
    ELKINS, W.Va. — Officials at the West Virginia Division...

    West Virginia shifts future meeting time for natural resources to boost public access

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Officials at the West Virginia Division...

    West Virginia creates special access roads for hunters with disabilities

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

    Fishing

    W.Va. announces fall trout stockings and return of Monster Trout Contest

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia will begin fall trout...

    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...

    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 ski resort to open 50th season Nov. 27, 2024

    0
    SLATYFORK, W.Va. — Snowshoe Mountain ski resort in West...

    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...

    National Parks

    A hidden parkway travels beneath the New River Gorge Bridge in W.Va.

    5
    FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — Nearly all who cross the towering...

    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...

    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

    Canaan Valley resort announces $6 million upgrade ahead of winter season

    Skiing and Snowsports David Sibray -
    DAVIS, W.Va. — Officials at Canaan Valley Resort State Park in northern West Virginia say they're gearing up for...

    First Lady invites community for gingerbread contest, mansion tree decorating

    Festivals / Events Bianca Bosworth -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia First Lady Denise Morrisey is inviting students, educators, and artisans from across the state...

    West Virginia launches pet-friendly "West FURginia" state park ranger program

    State Parks, Forests David Sibray -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia officials have launched the West "FURginia" State Park Ranger program, a pet-friendly initiative designed...

    West Virginia governor declares November wild game meat donation month

    Hunting Will Reedy -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrissey has declared November "Wild Game Meat Donation Month" in the Mountain State. The...

    Biggest of the year, Beaver Moon will light November sky, recall early West Virginia history

    Lore and Legend David Sibray -
    BEAVER, W.Va. — For those who step outside on Wednesday to look up, the full moon that rises over...

    Prehistoric burial mound in West Virginia contains remarkable secret

    History / Prehistory Amanda Larch Hinchman -
    SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Rising above the end of this city’s central avenue, the prehistoric Criel Mound—one of the...

    How long does the autumn leaf change last in West Virginia?

    Travel / Transportation Bianca Bosworth -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Although October is quickly coming to a close, trees across West Virginia continue their dazzling transformation...

    Hatfield–McCoy trails system now connected to Virginia’s Spearhead trails

    ATV Touring David Sibray -
    BRAMWELL, W.Va. — Off-road enthusiasts have even more ground to cover in central Appalachia. The Hatfield–McCoy Trail System announced...

    Don’t ignore the winter blues: Seasonal affective disorder is a serious form of depression

    Health and Medicine David Sibray -
    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As the days grow shorter and sunlight becomes scarce, a West Virginia University clinical psychologist is...

    West Virginia historic preservation grants open for 2026 applications

    Economic Development David Sibray -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia is now accepting applications for economic development grants to support and maintain historic properties,...

    Blackwater Falls State Park begins online ticket sales for sled run

    State Parks, Forests David Sibray -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia State Parks officials today announced that tickets for the sled run at Blackwater Falls...

    At 50 years, West Virginia University celebrates its ground-breaking PRT system

    Landmarks / Museums Clyde Craig -
    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The familiar hum of the gold and blue "Personal Rapid Transit" cars has been part of...
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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

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

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

    West Virginia monitoring seasonal hemorrhagic disease in deer populations

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Cases of hemorrhagic disease in deer...

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

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

    West Virginia launches pet-friendly "West FURginia" state park ranger program

    1
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia officials have launched the...

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