West Virginia Explorer West Virginia Explorer
Browse

Clyde Craig

Clyde Craig is a writer for West Virginia Explorer. Born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, he traveled with his family across the globe with the U.S. Army before returning to the Mountain State in 2011.
Fishing opportunities at Green Bottom include access to the Ohio River, wetlands, and the public boat ramp.
Wildlife Refuges, Management Areas

Green Bottom boat ramp on Ohio River near Huntington reopens

by Clyde Craig

GREEN BOTTOM, W.Va. —  Officials at the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources have announced that the public boat ramp at Green Bottom Wildlife Management Area has reopened after a short closure.According to Brett McMillion, the agency’s director, officials are evaluating plans for future upgrades to the facility to better serve West Virginia’s boating and fishing … Read more

The Frontier-to-Statehood Preservation Fund will provide up to 10 grants of as much as $100,000 each for the rehabilitation of certified historic structures dating to 1871 or earlier.
Economic Development

Grants of up to $100,000 available in W.Va. for pre-1872 preservation projects

by Clyde Craig

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As part of the nation’s 250th-anniversary commemoration, officials at the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia have announced a new grant program to support the preservation and adaptive reuse of historic buildings tied to the state’s early history.The Frontier-to-Statehood Preservation Fund, funded through the National Park Service’s Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization Grant Program, … Read more

One of the largest networks on the East Coast, the routes activate thousands of miles of gravel roads across the Mon Forest for visitors and communities. (Photo: Getty Images)
Biking

Gravel, bikepacking network connects towns across Monongahela National Forest region

by Clyde Craig

MARLINTON, W.Va. — A new gravel and bikepacking network connecting 12 towns across the Monongahela National Forest region, colloquially called “the Mon,” has launched, offering more than 60 curated cycling routes across eight West Virginia counties.The network, launched by the Mon Forest Towns Partnership as “Mon Forest Gravel & Bikepacking,” includes routes ranging from short … Read more

Motorboats with engines larger than 10 horsepower are now permitted to operate at no-wake speed on Elk Fork, North Bend, O’Brien, Stonecoal, and Woodrum lakes.
Kayaking and Canoeing

Horsepower restrictions removed on five small lakes in West Virginia

by Clyde Craig

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Including changes that expand boating access on several small state lakes, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has announced updated boating regulations for 2026.Approved during the 2026 Regular Session of the West Virginia Legislature and effective immediately, the new regulations remove horsepower restrictions on several lakes while maintaining no-wake requirements.Under the … Read more

Mary Bemis at Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting
Culture

West Virginia bottler wins silver award at international water competition 

by Clyde Craig

BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. — Le Sage Natural Water, of Lesage, has been awarded a silver medal for its purified water at the 36th annual Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting competition in the eastern panhandle of the Mountain State.The world’s most prestigious and longest-running water competition, more than 100 entries from five continents competed this year … Read more

Historic floods in 1985 and 2016 killed dozens of residents and caused billions of dollars in damage statewide.
Communities

Flood risk outpaces warnings, advocates say, as W.Va. considers changes to resiliency fund

by Clyde Craig

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As the W.Va. House of Delegates considers changes to Senate Bill 390, the West Virginia Rivers Coalition warns that the state risks narrowing its flood strategy at a time when disasters are becoming more frequent, more costly, and more destructive.The organization points to a growing gap between early-warning technology and long-term flood … Read more