Travel in West Virginia offers countless benefits, especially as the remote-work revolution draws new residents from big U.S. cities seeking adventure, relaxation, and a slower pace of life. Known for its stunning mountain scenery, outdoor recreation, and welcoming small towns, West Virginia provides the perfect escape for travelers looking to unwind and explore nature without venturing too far from home. Visitors can hike scenic trails, discover hidden waterfalls, enjoy cozy cabin stays, and experience local culture through charming shops, Appalachian cuisine, and vibrant festivals. As more remote workers settle in the Mountain State, travel within West Virginia becomes even more rewarding, with easy access to breathtaking parks, peaceful retreats, and friendly communities that make every trip feel like a refreshing getaway.
Fall color in high-elevation Tucker County will peak during the first ten days of October, says Brian Sarfino, who’s worked to determine exact schedules for autumn leaf change at Dolly Sods and in the Canaan Valley in West Virginia’s Allegheny Highlands. “Peak fall foliage comes in the first ten days of October. This is the … Read more
Searching for refuge from summer heat? If swimming isn’t your cup of tea, perhaps a jog through one of the tunnels along the North Bend Rail Trail in northern West Virginia might be. Ten tunnels through which the trail passes on its 72-mile course between Clarksburg and Parkersburg are sure to provide relief during the … Read more
A new pedal-train excursion that leads tourists along a glittering trout stream and deep into the mountains of central West Virginia has attracted more than 1,200 guests from 20 states in the last 30 days, according to spokesmen for the venue. “Most of what we’re seeing so far is from word-of-mouth or from Facebook,” conductor … Read more
SLATY FORK, W.Va. — I travel US-219 through West Virginia often — mainly through the southern part of the state, but occasionally, I travel north. It seems my car knows the way, leaving my mind space to watch the countryside and daydream. I’ve found myself wondering where exactly I am during a trip. In the … Read more
There’s something special about visiting the birthplace of a river — something almost magical about seeing water come up from the ground and knowing that it will, after many miles and many joinings, become a grand river. Most of us don’t often think about how a river is born or how far a small creek … Read more
Sign up for the West Virginia Explorer newsletter by January 15, 2018, and be entered to win a two-day, two-night ski getaway at Canaan Valley Resort & Conference Center. The drawing is one of many annual drawings offered to recipients of the West Virginia Explorer newsletter, according to publisher and editor-in-chief David Sibray. “Once you’re … Read more
Though whitewater rafting on the New River may have ended for the season, winter in the New River Gorge is an ideal time for woodland retreats, says a spokesman for one of the region’s chief outdoor-recreation resorts. Dave Arnold, vice-president of Adventures on the Gorge, says focus naturally shifts to growth and introspection during what … Read more
New England will always be renowned for its autumn splendor, but West Virginia is taking the lead as a destination for fall scenery in the eastern United States. due to its situation between the colder north and warmer south. In the central Appalachian Mountains leaf change last longer and can be far more varient, say … Read more
Escape-rooms at Glade Springs resort are attracting players to a growing network of physical adventure games across the Mountain State, according to a spokeswoman for the luxury destination near Shady Spring. On the heels of the opening of its newest escape room, the Titanic, creative director Ashley Long says the resort is reaping and sharing … Read more
Daytripper magazine has agreed to sponsor the launch of a new directory of waterfalls at WVExplorer.com. The magazine based in Lewisburg, W.Va., will help provide information on 25 waterfalls in West Virginia to be published in March. Other contributors and sponsors are encouraged to provide content on many of the other accessible waterfalls in the Mountain … Read more
