Communities in West Virginia offers residents a welcoming atmosphere, affordable cost of living, and a strong sense of connection to nature and neighbors alike. From charming small towns to vibrant cities like Charleston and Morgantown, West Virginia communities provide friendly neighborhoods, excellent schools, and access to outdoor recreation right at your doorstep. Residents enjoy a slower pace of life surrounded by the state’s beautiful mountains, rivers, and forests, along with rich local culture, historic sites, and community events that bring people together. With safe streets, local businesses, and a true spirit of Appalachian hospitality, living in West Virginia communities means enjoying a high quality of life and a supportive, tight-knit environment where everyone feels at home. Be sure to visit our Communities Travel Guide for information about communities in West Virginia.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will hold a series of public meetings in July to collect input on its State Wildlife Action Plan, which is currently under review. The plan, also known as SWAP, serves as a roadmap for conserving West Virginia’s wildlife and natural habitats. Updated roughly every decade, … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s premier online magazine for travel, history, and outdoor adventure, West Virginia Explorer is celebrating its 25th anniversary by unveiling a series of new logos and a fully redesigned website, including an expanded webzine and comprehensive online travel guide at WVExplorer.com. Founded in 1999, West Virginia Explorer has evolved from a niche … Read more
SPENCER, W.Va. — Travelers exploring West Virginia this summer will have even more opportunities to capture picture-perfect moments, as the number of “Almost Heaven” photo-ops across the state has grown to 43. The W.Va. Department of Tourism announced the expansion of the swing trail, encouraging visitors to snap photos and share them on social media … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As West Virginians gear up to celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, family gatherings, and time on the water, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is taking a strong stance to ensure those festivities don’t end in tragedy. From July 4 through July 6, the W.Va. Natural Resources Police will join local … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Poison ivy is more than just a notorious plant and a source of good stories in West Virginia. It’s a leading cause of itchy, blistering rashes for hikers, gardeners, and outdoor workers. As the warm months usher in prime growing conditions for this infamous vine, Mountain State visitors are encouraged to learn … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources is working with West Virginia youth to help restore stream habitat in the state and has completed two projects in Mercer and Pocahontas counties. The division recently hosted cadets from the Mountaineer Challenge Academy at Pipestem Resort State Park for a day of learning and activities. … Read more
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — While West Virginia is known for its scenic streams, dropping fresh in falls and chutes from the Appalachian Mountains, all is not necessarily well. When West Virginia University biology undergraduate student Isabella Tuzzio tested fish from streams in central Appalachia, her research revealed microplastics in every fish she sampled. Tuzzio said her … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The W.Va. Department of Agriculture has confirmed the presence of the Box Tree Moth (Cydalima perspectalis) in Berkeley County, marking the first detection of the invasive pest in West Virginia. Native to East Asia, the Box Tree Moth feeds primarily on boxwood plants (Buxus species), a popular ornamental shrub widely used in … Read more
CREDE, W.Va. — Spring and early summer are peak seasons for deer births, and it’s not uncommon for people to stumble upon a solitary fawn nestled in tall grass, under a tree, or even in their backyard. With no mother in sight, the instinct for many of us is to assume the fawn has been … Read more
GRANDVIEW, W.Va. — Two prominent species of rhododendron bloom in West Virginia in spring and summer, but only one bears the official state flower. Pale pink or magenta— which blossom is the official state flower? Flourishing from late May through July, no other flowering plant so vividly ushers in the transition between spring and summer … Read more
