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Recreation

See our Recreation Travel Guide

West Virginia offers a diverse array of outdoor recreation opportunities that make it a top destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers alike. From world-class whitewater rafting on the New and Gauley Rivers to scenic hiking and rock climbing in the iconic New River Gorge National Park, the Mountain State delivers thrilling experiences year-round. Visitors can also enjoy fishing, camping, mountain biking, and winter sports in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. With its lush forests, winding rivers, and rich heritage, West Virginia offers a perfect setting for families, solo travelers, and outdoor enthusiasts seeking to explore breathtaking natural landscapes. Be sure to visit our guide for information about indoor and outdoor recreation in West Virginia.

Resort officials reported four to five inches of overnight snowfall, providing skiers and snowboarders with unusually high-quality conditions for opening day. (Photo courtesy Snowshoe Mountain Resort)
Recreation

Snowshoe Mountain opens 2025–26 ski season with fresh snow, free lift tickets

by David Sibray

SNOWSHOE, W.Va. — Snowshoe Mountain, the largest ski resort in the Mid-Atlantic, opened the 2025–26 winter season Friday with a fresh burst of natural snow and strong early turnout. Resort officials reported four to five inches of overnight snowfall, providing skiers and snowboarders with unusually high-quality conditions for opening day, according to Patti Duncan, president … Read more

Junction of Hatfield-McCoy trails and Spearhead trails
Recreation

Hatfield–McCoy trails system now connected to Virginia’s Spearhead trails

by David Sibray

BRAMWELL, W.Va. — Off-road enthusiasts have even more ground to cover in central Appalachia. The Hatfield–McCoy Trail System announced this week that its Pocahontas Trail is now officially connected to Virginia’s Spearhead Trails, creating a seamless dual-state network for riders across the Appalachian Mountains. The new link between the two systems means riders can now … Read more

The Nuttalburg tipple greets visitors to a remote corner of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
Recreation

Eight ghost towns in southern West Virginia worth visiting

by Clyde Craig

THURMOND, W.Va. — One of the richest aspects of history in southern West Virginia involves coal mining. Following the Civil War, coal production in much of the region boomed. Railroads were soon built along the New, Coal, and Guyandotte rivers to transport the coal out to mills in the Ohio Valley. Coalfields were plentiful throughout … Read more