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.
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — On a soft summer morning in the New River Gorge, the forest comes to life with quiet mystery. Rhododendron branches arch into shadowed tunnels, salamanders dart across mossy rocks, and the distant rush of waterfalls blends with birdsong that echoes through the canyon. For most hikers, the best-known trails in the gorge—such … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia has set new season dates and new regulations for the 2025-2026 migratory game bird hunting seasons, which open Sept. 1, in accordance with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s annual guidelines. Brett McMillion, director of the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources, said the adjustments provide hunters several advantages when it … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — An early bear firearms season will open August 30, 2025, in Logan, McDowell, Mingo, and Wyoming counties in south-western West Virginia, according to the director of the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources. Early bear firearms season benefits busy hunters Division Director Brett McMillion is reminding hunters that the early bear firearms season … Read more
BUFFALO, W.Va. — Among the fields and wetlands of the lower Kanawha Valley in West Virginia, a green haven for biodiversity has taken root and become one of the most ecologically vibrant and educationally rich trail systems in the state. A 2.75-mile network of walking paths winds through wetlands, restored habitats, and pollinator gardens, where … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources is now accepting applications for its 2025 deer hunt lotteries. Hunters interested in harvesting antlerless deer in limited permit areas are encouraged to apply online before the September 5 midnight deadline. These deer lottery hunts provide an excellent opportunity for both West Virginia residents and nonresidents … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The W.Va. Department of Tourism has added five new Almost Heaven swings to the Mountain State at Drawdy Falls in Boone County, Miracle Mountain in McDowell County, 4-H Camp Pioneer in Randolph County, Big Ditch Lake in Webster County, and at the Tater Hill Overlook in Wyoming County. According to state Tourism … Read more
SLATYFORK, W.Va. — Construction is nearing completion on top of Snowshoe Mountain in eastern West Virginia, where a new ski lodge is replacing its long-standing and familiar Shavers Center, which served guests for nearly five decades. Designed to offer a more spacious and comfortable experience, the new ski services facility will feature an open interior … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s state park system is partnering with a national nonprofit to help make golf more affordable at courses at Pipestem, Twin Falls, and Cacapon state parks. Acting Chief of Parks Dillard Price said the agreement will provide visiting youth discounts, and rounds can be booked by walk-in or by calling the … Read more
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS. W.Va. — A vast underground bunker lay hidden for decades in the mountains beneath one of America’s most luxurious resorts, built in secret to shelter the U.S. Congress in the event of nuclear disaster. It was among the world’s most closely guarded secrets for 30 years, although it’s now open to the public, … Read more
LEWISBURG, W.Va. — One of the strangest tales to come out of Greenbrier County in West Virginia may be the legend of the Sinking Creek caverns. Little information exists outside of one harrowing account, reprinted here, but that account characterizes the largely uncharted world extending over more than 80 miles just beneath the valley’s surface. … Read more
