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Clyde CraigClyde Craig

Clyde Craig is a staff 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. He has been a writer with the explorer since 2018. He can be reached at 304-575-7390 or at craig@wvexplorer.com.
The Wild Trails Festival is building quickly and is ideally suited to the Greenbrier Valley, a region steeped in history and growing as a national destination for outdoor recreation.
Festivals / Events

Wild Trails Festival 2026 returns to Lewisburg with Koe Wetzel, Tucker Wetmore

by Clyde Craig

LEWISBURG, W.Va. — The Wild Trails Festival will return to the West Virginia State Fairgrounds in Lewisburg June 18-20, bringing a star-studded lineup of country, Americana, and Red Dirt artists to what organizers call West Virginia’s largest country music festival. Headliners this year include Koe Wetzel, Tucker Wetmore, Ian Munsick, and Shane Smith & The … Read more

Green Bank Telescope in West Virginia
Higher Education

Green Bank Telescope powers WVU search for gravitational waves and cosmic origins

by Clyde Craig

GREEN BANK, W.Va. — The Green Bank Telescope, the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope, is at the forefront of a major scientific effort to unlock the secrets of gravitational waves, supermassive black holes, and the origins of the universe. Backed by $5.9 million in funding from the National Science Foundation, researchers at West Virginia … Read more

West Virginia strawberries: The state's climate and geography have long provided favorable conditions for highly perishable strawberries.
Agriculture

WVU researcher develops robot that could transform West Virginia strawberry farming

by Clyde Craig

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A groundbreaking robotic harvesting technology, developed with the help of a West Virginia University researcher, could one day transform how strawberries and other delicate fruits are grown and harvested in West Virginia, reducing food waste while helping farmers deliver higher-quality produce to consumers. The innovation comes as strawberry production continues to grow in … Read more

Rock climbing in the New River Gorge near the New River Gorge Bridge
Rock Climbing

Interior Department opens review of rock climbing policies affecting New River Gorge

by Clyde Craig

FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — The U.S. Department of the Interior has launched a nationwide review of rock-climbing management practices and wilderness stewardship policies that could ultimately affect rock climbing in some of America’s most celebrated climbing destinations, including the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia. Federal officials announced this week that a … Read more

Mineral Rights in West Virginia: A majority of lawnowners in West Virginia are unaffected by the ownership of minerals beneath the surface.
Lodging and Real Estate

West Virginia mineral rights: Who owns the minerals beneath your land?

by Clyde Craig

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia is among the nation’s most mineral-rich states, with extensive deposits of oil, coal, salt, clay, limestone, natural gas, and other underground resources. Yet many landowners, especially those moving to the Mountain State, are surprised to learn that owning the surface of a property does not necessarily include the minerals beneath … Read more

The West Virginia Department of Tourism has announced its 2026 History Heroes Award recipients, honoring volunteers, preservationists, historians, genealogists, and museum leaders from communities across the Mountain State
History / Prehistory

W.Va. Tourism announces 2026 History Heroes award winners

by Clyde Craig

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The W.Va. Department of Tourism has announced the recipients of the 2026 History Heroes Awards, recognizing volunteers and preservation advocates who have helped safeguard the state’s rich historical legacy for future generations. The annual awards honor individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to local museums, historical societies, preservation organizations, genealogy groups, and … Read more

Larvae of the New World Screwworm fly burrow into the flesh of living animals, causing serious, often deadly damage. (USDA Image)
Agriculture

W.Va. agriculture officials monitoring screwworm after first U.S. detection

by Clyde Craig

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia agriculture officials say they are closely monitoring the recent detection of the destructive New World screwworm in Texas and have emergency response plans in place should the pest spread beyond the Southwest. The W.Va. Department of Agriculture in Charleston issued a statement Thursday after the U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed … Read more

With its three rivers, Summers County became a popular fishing getaway during Miners' Vacation in the 1950s.
Festivals / Events

Historical society celebrates history of W.Va. Miners’ Vacation with fish fry fundraiser

by Clyde Craig

HINTON, W.Va. — The New River Gorge Historical Society will celebrate a cherished tradition of life in southern West Virginia with a community fish fry and historical program on Saturday, June 13, at the Summers County Memorial Building in downtown Hinton, West Virginia. Inspired by the annual “Miners’ Vacation” once observed throughout the New River … Read more

Davie Chinn, David Sibray, and Lori Noble meet at Little Beaver State Park to discuss increased promotion of outdoor recreation.
Economic Development

Chinn, Noble appointed to key leadership roles at West Virginia Explorer

by Clyde Craig

BEAVER, W.Va. — West Virginia Explorer President and CEO David Sibray has announced the appointment of Davie Chinn as Director of Technology and Lori Noble as Director of Advertising for the West Virginia Explorer publications. The appointments come as the leading tourism news and travel guide expands its efforts to support outdoor recreation, heritage travel, … Read more

National Trails Day encourages people of all ages to get outdoors, connect with their community, and become trail stewards.
State Parks, Forests

West Virginia state parks celebrate National Trails Day with hikes, volunteer events

by Clyde Craig

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In celebration of National Trails Day, officials at West Virginia State Parks announced a lineup of guided hikes and trail cleanup events across several state parks and forests, scheduled for Saturday, June 6, 2026. Organized nationwide by the American Hiking Society, National Trails Day encourages people of all ages to get outdoors, … Read more