Browse

Communities

Communities in West Virginia offer 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, as well as 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.

Commercial real estate near New River Gorge National Park

Communities

Federal downsizing creates real estate opportunity near new national park

July 23, 2025 by Clyde Craig

MOUNT HOPE, W.Va. — Federal downsizing has created a remarkable commercial real estate opportunity in southern West Virginia near the nation’s newest national park—an opportunity that’s attracting plenty of attention after a price drop. Once home to the U.S. Bureau of Mines, a 34,568-square-foot office complex and large maintenance garage offers a rare blend of … Read more

Grimes Golden and Golden Delicious apple trees were discovered in West Virginia.

Communities

The histories of the Grimes Golden and Golden Delicious apples in West Virginia

July 23, 2025 by William Kerrigan

CHARLESTON, W.Va.— Around 1790, in a small clearing on a ridge above Wellsburg, West Virginia, a pioneer settler named Edward Cranford planted a nursery of apple trees from seed, hoping one day to turn them into a productive orchard. Apple trees grown from seed rarely produce apples with marketable, commercial qualities, but even gnarled and … Read more

The Guyandotte River hosts a lone kayaker.

Communities

The Guyandotte River rediscovered as a destination for angling, paddling

July 20, 2025 by David Sibray

GUYANDOTTE, W.Va. — Rivers in West Virginia have gained enormous popularity as travel destinations, thanks to cleaner water and better highway access. Yet the Guyandotte River, winding through the state’s southwestern mountains, has remained largely unknown, and that’s precisely what many anglers and paddlers love about it. From its headwaters to its mouth, the Guyandotte … Read more

Deer crossing rural road in West Virginia

Communities

West Virginia leads the nation in deer-vehicle collisions

July 19, 2025 by Clyde Craig

DEERWALK, W.Va. — Vehicle collisions with deer in West Virginia are more than just a nuisance. They’re a statistical certainty. For more than a decade, the mountainous Appalachian state has ranked No. 1 in the U.S. for deer-vehicle collisions. Drivers on West Virginia roadways in 2023 reported wrecks involving more than 10,000 deer, according to … Read more

Governor Morrisey announces the expansion of Breeze Airways at Charleston airport.

Communities

Breeze Airways expands service in West Virginia with new Charleston route

July 8, 2025 by David Sibray

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Breeze Airways is soaring to new heights in central West Virginia, unveiling plans to open five new non-stop flights through Charleston, West Virginia, over the next two years. The fast-growing, low-cost carrier will expand operations at West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW) in the capital city, prioritizing service to Las Vegas and … Read more

A butterfly alights on a milkweed in a field of Black Eyed Susan.

Communities

Black‑eyed Susan in West Virginia—a golden gift of summer

July 4, 2025 by Clyde Craig

EGERIA, W.Va. — As summer unfolds, brilliant yellow blooms emerge along fields, forests, and roadsides in West Virginia. In many cases, the show is put on by Rudbeckia hirta, widely known as the Black‑eyed Susan. These iconic flowers, with their dark “eyes” and sunny rays, brighten the landscape from June through October. Rudbeckia hirta belongs … Read more

David Sibray strolls at trail at Saint Marys, West Virginia, which has invested in its Ohio River heritage to attract tourists.

Communities

Historic Towns, museums and heritage sites are driving West Virginia tourism growth

July 3, 2025 by Clyde Craig

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia is poised to outpace other U.S. states in lucrative heritage tourism, which is now the largest sector of the U.S. travel market, says David Sibray, historian and publisher of West Virginia Explorer. Focused on travel to museums, historic sites, and local festivals, the heritage tourism industry—which he says is driven … Read more

A cerulean warbler is a denizen of West Virginia's oldest forests and a favorite species for birdwatchers.

Communities

West Virginia seeks public input on wildlife plan at July open houses

July 1, 2025 by Clyde Craig

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

Founder David Sibray (left) and Technical Director Jonathan Moore review the addition of state parks information to WVExplorer.com.

Communities

West Virginia Explorer celebrates 25th anniversary with redesigned website, travel guide

July 1, 2025 by Clyde Craig

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

The "Almost Heaven" swing at Cedar Lakes adds yet another photo-up to West Virginia swings trail.

Communities

More scenic stops for summer as W.Va. adds to “Almost Heaven” Swing Trail

June 30, 2025 by David Sibray

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

Family gives 47 acres to expand scenic West Virginia state park

Historic town inside national park prepares legal fight to stop demolitions

In 1895, lightning struck a massive West Virginia gas well, which then blew out its own fire

For nearly 60 years, West Virginians have gathered in this park to eat from the wild

West Virginia ranked America’s No. 2 most naturally beautiful state — here’s why

West Virginia initiative aims to teach 15,000 students how to turn ideas into businesses

WVU will automatically admit some high school seniors in two West Virginia counties

New plan imagines a different future for communities of the New River Gorge

These Appalachian pioneers came from wealth and privilege

First Oktoberfest coming to West Virginia gorge as fall color peaks

39 Appalachian films coming to West Virginia festival, and admission is free

Filmmaker got lost looking for Virginia location and found his movie in West Virginia

West Virginia city eyes 40-mile trail network near New River Gorge

West Virginia eliminates minimum age for youth hunting seasons

Long a West Virginia rite of passage, squirrel hunting returns Saturday

West Virginia brought back a giant native fish that now keeps breaking records

Communities

Federal downsizing creates real estate opportunity near new national park

The histories of the Grimes Golden and Golden Delicious apples in West Virginia

The Guyandotte River rediscovered as a destination for angling, paddling

West Virginia leads the nation in deer-vehicle collisions

Breeze Airways expands service in West Virginia with new Charleston route

Black‑eyed Susan in West Virginia—a golden gift of summer

Historic Towns, museums and heritage sites are driving West Virginia tourism growth

West Virginia seeks public input on wildlife plan at July open houses

West Virginia Explorer celebrates 25th anniversary with redesigned website, travel guide

More scenic stops for summer as W.Va. adds to “Almost Heaven” Swing Trail