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    West Virginia announces winners of 2025 West Virginia Big Buck Photo Contest

    Hunting Will Reedy -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources announced the winners of the 2025 West Virginia Big Buck Photo Contest during the opening...
    Economic Development

    West Virginia hosts outdoor economy summit as communities rethink economics

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    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — For many West Virginia communities, outdoor...
    Fishing

    W.Va. DNR to sponsor West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Show in Charleston

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

    West Virginia Pepperoni Roll Museum to open this spring in Fayetteville

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    FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — One of the most iconic foods...
    Travel / Transportation

    Milder-than-average winter favored for West Virginia through February

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    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As the calendar passes Midwinter Day...
    Economic Development

    Webinar examines housing stairway safety in growing West Virginia small towns

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As remote work reshapes where Americans...
    Lore and Legend

    The house that vanished overnight: West Virginia’s Neerly House haunting

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    FAIRMONT, W.Va. — At least two mysteries tangle in...

    Most Popular Stories

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    Travel / Transportation

    Helvetia, West Virginia: Where Swiss tradition and Appalachian spirit defy time

    1
    HELVETIA, W.Va. — History will tell you the name...
    Fishing

    W.Va. DNR to sponsor West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Show in Charleston

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

    West Virginia Pepperoni Roll Museum to open this spring in Fayetteville

    0
    FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — One of the most iconic foods...
    Culture

    New black history marker to reach New River Gorge audiences

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    A marker proposed to commemorate a lost chapter in...
    Economic Development

    West Virginia hosts outdoor economy summit as communities rethink economics

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — For many West Virginia communities, outdoor...

    Popular Categories

    Economic Development137Hunting124History / Prehistory123Lore and Legend119State Parks, Forests118Arts109Higher Education105Agriculture93Wildlife / Conservancy81Landmarks / Museums81Fishing76National Parks75Travel / Transportation71Festivals / Events66Recreation64Botany and Forestry62

    Headlines

    Helvetia, West Virginia: Where Swiss tradition and Appalachian spirit defy time

    Travel / Transportation Ted Fauster -
    HELVETIA, W.Va. — History will tell you the name Helvetia is derived from the Helvetii, a Celtic tribe that...

    Remote monument recalls origins of Farley family in New River valley

    History / Prehistory David Sibray -
    PIPESTEM, W.Va. — Many of the thousands of people named "Farley" in the New River valley region in southern...

    LOVE-HATE tattoos have terrifying origin in West Virginia nightmare

    Lore and Legend David Sibray -
    MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. — The iconic LOVE-HATE tattoos that adorn many thuggish fists in the U.S. are tied to one...

    Here's how the West Virginia town of "Hundred" got its unique name

    History / Prehistory David Sibray -
    HUNDRED, W.Va. — There was a time soon after the completion of the B&O Railroad when passengers would clamber...

    Isolated Webster County in West Virginia once declared itself a state

    History / Prehistory David Sibray -
    WEBSTER SPRINGS, W.Va. — Perhaps no county in West Virginia is as isolated as Webster County. Entirely mountainous, no...

    Kanawha Valley in W.Va. had highest concentration of burial mounds

    History / Prehistory David Sibray -
    SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Kanawha Valley in western West Virginia once had the highest concentration of burial mounds...

    Forgotten West Virginia tavern rediscovered in Greenbrier County

    Lodging and Real Estate Clyde Craig -
    LEWISBURG, W.Va. — Once counted among the most gracious homes in the Greenbrier Valley, the historic Level Tavern on...

    Historic coalfields "castle" in W.Va. is back on the real estate market

    Lodging and Real Estate Clyde Craig -
    ITMANN, W.Va. — A tourist attraction in West Virginia's southern mountains, the landmark Itmann Company Store — also known...

    Attractions

    Benedum foundation awards $50,000 to West Virginia State Parks Foundation

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

    Why West Virginia's state parks matter now more than ever

    1
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As the 100th anniversary of West...

    Overlook at Coopers Rock State Forest in West Virginia closed for repairs

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    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The renowned main overlook at Coopers...

    New historical society to help conserve New River Gorge region in West Virginia

    2
    THURMOND, W.Va. — Historians, history buffs, and preservationists have...

    Communities

    Morrisey awards $2.1 million for business-ready sites in 23 W.Va. counties

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    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Ahead of the start of the...

    Ticks on the rise in West Virginia: WVU experts warn of Lyme, alpha-gal risks

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    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Two West Virginia University experts are...

    How to research historic homes in West Virginia: Free state webinar offers tools

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    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Homeowners, local historians, and community members...

    Vape shops and gray-area drugs put West Virginia towns at a regulatory crossroads

    1
    BECKLEY, W.Va. — They're hard to miss in downtowns...

    Culture

    Quiet West Virginia village of Clayton named for 1835 hot-air balloon crash

    2
    CLAYTON, W.Va. — Few West Virginia place names come...

    Farmington Mine Disaster still echoes across West Virginia coal country

    4
    FARMINGTON, W.Va. — Before dawn on November 20, 1968,...

    Why paranormal tourism is booming in almost heaven West Virginia

    1
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Paranormal tourism is booming across West...

    West Virginia family communications expert shares Thanksgiving conflict tips

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    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With Thanksgiving approaching, a West Virginia...

    Recreation

    Mountaineer Heritage Season opens, reviving a West Virginia hunting tradition

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    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The winter woods in West Virginia...

    Beneath West Virginia’s Greenbrier Valley, a vast underground world draws adventurers

    3
    LEWISBURG, W.Va. — Beneath the bluegrass pastures of eastern...

    White Grass cross-country skiing elevates winter in Canaan Valley, West Virginia

    1
    CORTLAND, W.Va. — Cross-country skiing is enjoying quite a...

    West Virginia state parks to ring in 2026 with 24 First Day hikes across the state

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    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia state parks will welcome...

    History and Prehistory

    Prehistoric West Virginia was never a so-called "uninhabited" hunting ground

    7
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — When I moved to West Virginia...

    Charles Town grave marks the last resting place of restless John Yeats Beall

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    CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — In the Zion Episcopal churchyard...

    The Confederacy’s last major offensive in West Virginia: the Battle of Bulltown

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    BULLTOWN, W.Va. — On a quiet October morning in...

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

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

    Lore and Legend

    Quiet West Virginia village of Clayton named for 1835 hot-air balloon crash

    2
    CLAYTON, W.Va. — Few West Virginia place names come...

    Why paranormal tourism is booming in almost heaven West Virginia

    1
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Paranormal tourism is booming across West...

    First documented poltergeist in U.S. haunted this historic W.Va. town

    1
    MIDDLEWAY, W.Va. — The Wizard Clip haunting, the first...

    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...

    State Parks

    Overlook at Coopers Rock State Forest in West Virginia closed for repairs

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    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The renowned main overlook at Coopers...

    West Virginia state park playgrounds targeted in new fundraising drive

    1
    HURRICANE, W.Va. — The West Virginia State Parks Foundation...

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

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

    Blackwater Falls State Park begins online ticket sales for sled run

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

    Hunting

    West Virginia governor declares November wild game meat donation month

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    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrissey has...

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Fishing

    Fall study to provide insight into trout harvest rates, movement in West Virginia

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    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Biologists in West Virginia will be...

    Monster trout contest returns to West Virginia as fall fishing season heats up

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    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia officials have announced the...

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

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

    W.Va. officials expect more record-breaking fish amid growing trend

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    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Record-breaking fish seem to have become...

    Hiking

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

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

    Strange single-leafed orchid sprouts in winter woodlands in West Virginia

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    FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — Only the most sharp-eyed outdoor enthusiasts...

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

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

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

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

    Skiing

    Five reasons why your family should visit West Virginia this winter 

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    CANAAN VALLEY, W.Va. – During a time of year...

    Snowshoe Mountain replacing iconic Shavers Center with modern lodge

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    SLATYFORK, W.Va. — Construction is nearing completion on top...

    West Virginia officials predict big President's Day skiing weekend

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    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia ski resorts are experiencing...

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

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

    National Parks

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

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

    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

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

    Grandview panoramas showcase New River Gorge at its widest, deepest

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

    Kayaking

    W.Va. flatwater trail commission set to build connections

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

    Flatwater paddling expanding quickly across West Virginia

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

    Kayaks opening Guyandotte valley to new exploration

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

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

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

    Whitewater Rafting

    Cool autumn weather could super-charge Gauley River rafting

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

    Gauley River whitewater rafting season begins Sept. 6

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

    Help build guide to booming West Virginia paddling events

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

    Eventful and colorful, October ideal for rafting in West Virginia

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

    Biking

    New Parkersburg-area trail designed for intermediate level bikers

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

    Piney Creek trails attracting dozens daily; trail map unveiled

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

    Gorge resort introduces electric-assist mountain bike adventures

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

    New trail to historic mill ruin to open Saturday in Beckley

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

    Recent Posts

    West Virginia announces winners of 2025 West Virginia Big Buck Photo Contest

    Hunting Will Reedy -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources announced the winners of the 2025 West Virginia Big Buck...

    Inside West Virginia’s National Radio Quiet Zone, where scientists listen to the universe

    Landmarks / Museums Ted Fauster -
    GREEN BANK, W.Va. — The universe is a strange place. And it is never truly silent. Across the vast darkness...

    Is it more cost-effective to restore or rebuild in West Virginia downtowns?

    Economic Development Bianca Bosworth -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As communities across West Virginia consider options for aging buildings, one key question keeps coming up:...

    WorkForce West Virginia to host Feb. 4 virtual job fair as employers seek workers

    Economic Development Clyde Craig -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As West Virginia employers continue to navigate a tight labor market, WorkForce West Virginia will host...

    Helvetia, West Virginia: Where Swiss tradition and Appalachian spirit defy time

    Travel / Transportation Ted Fauster -
    HELVETIA, W.Va. — History will tell you the name Helvetia is derived from the Helvetii, a Celtic tribe that...

    West Virginia hosts outdoor economy summit as communities rethink economics

    Economic Development David Sibray -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — For many West Virginia communities, outdoor recreation is no longer a quality-of-life extra. It's the new...

    W.Va. DNR to sponsor West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Show in Charleston

    Fishing Will Reedy -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources will sponsor the annual West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Show,...

    West Virginia Pepperoni Roll Museum to open this spring in Fayetteville

    Landmarks / Museums David Sibray -
    FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — One of the most iconic foods in West Virginia is getting its own permanent home. Rachel...

    Milder-than-average winter favored for West Virginia through February

    Travel / Transportation David Sibray -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As the calendar passes Midwinter Day on Jan. 15, forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric...

    Webinar examines housing stairway safety in growing West Virginia small towns

    Economic Development Clyde Craig -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As remote work reshapes where Americans choose to live, small-town housing in West Virginia has emerged...

    The house that vanished overnight: West Virginia’s Neerly House haunting

    Lore and Legend David Sibray -
    FAIRMONT, W.Va. — At least two mysteries tangle in the tale of the Neerly house. What happened to the...

    Morrisey awards $2.1 million for business-ready sites in 23 W.Va. counties

    Economic Development David Sibray -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Ahead of the start of the 2026 legislative session, Gov. Patrick Morrisey has awarded $2.1 million...
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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

    Helvetia, West Virginia: Where Swiss tradition and Appalachian spirit defy time

    1
    HELVETIA, W.Va. — History will tell you the name...

    Remote monument recalls origins of Farley family in New River valley

    6
    PIPESTEM, W.Va. — Many of the thousands of people...

    LOVE-HATE tattoos have terrifying origin in West Virginia nightmare

    0
    MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. — The iconic LOVE-HATE tattoos that adorn...

    Here's how the West Virginia town of "Hundred" got its unique name

    0
    HUNDRED, W.Va. — There was a time soon after...

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