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.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A West Virginia fishing record that didn’t exist until this summer has now been broken three times in less than a month. Robert Glover, of Morgantown, landed a 9.76-inch, 0.75-pound pumpkinseed sunfish on Aug. 6 at Cheat Lake in Monongalia County, establishing the latest state record for one of West Virginia’s most … Read more
BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. — Women make up only about 17 percent of America’s active hunters, yet they now account for a remarkable 33 percent of newcomers to the pursuit. Some say it signals the world of hunting and fishing is changing, and West Virginia is preparing to help more women join it. Registration is now open … Read more
GRAFTON, W.Va. — West Virginia is riddled with caves, rock shelters, sinking streams, and dark openings in the mountains, so it is perhaps no surprise that generations of stories have accumulated around them. Some involve pioneers. Others involve Native Americans, soldiers, abolitionists, hunters, and fugitives. There are tales of murder, gunpowder-making, and men hiding underground. … Read more
DURBIN, W.Va. — Millions of Americans know the Appalachian Trail as one of the nation’s premier hiking destinations. Far fewer realize that another long-distance footpath crosses West Virginia’s mountains, winding through forests, rivers, and remote communities before joining the Appalachian Trail at the Virginia border. Known as the Allegheny Trail, the route stretches approximately 320 … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — It took West Virginia anglers more than a year to establish the state’s first official pumpkinseed sunfish record, and it took less than three weeks to break it. The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources has confirmed that two anglers made fishing history after landing back-to-back state-record pumpkinseed sunfish, one of the state’s … Read more
ELKINS, W.Va. — Visitors to two small mountain towns in eastern West Virginia will soon find it easier to step from historic downtown streets into one of the largest public forests in the eastern United States. The Mon Forest Towns Partnership has received a $442,000 grant from the newly established Expedia Trails Fund to build … Read more
HINTON, W.Va. — Today, Big Rock is one of the best-known landmarks along the lower Greenbrier River, a towering sandstone outcrop where generations of paddlers and tubers have stopped to climb, picnic, and wade into the cool water. For many, it’s the unofficial finish line of one of West Virginia’s favorite summer floats, just a … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Hunters seeking an opportunity to pursue white-tailed deer in some of West Virginia’s most scenic public lands can now apply for a series of controlled lottery hunts designed to manage deer populations while protecting forests and native wildlife habitat. The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources in Charleston has opened applications for its … Read more
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va — From windswept mountain summits to dramatic river overlooks, West Virginia is home to some of the most scenic hiking trails in the eastern United States. While beauty is subjective, certain trails consistently leave visitors speechless, offering views and experiences found nowhere else in the Mountain State. The best hiking trails in West … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Every autumn, millions of birds stream south across eastern North America, filling Appalachian forests, farm fields, and wetlands with migrants bound for warmer climates. Among them are mourning doves, American woodcock, Wilson’s snipe, and elusive marsh birds known as rails, whose annual journeys have long signaled the start of West Virginia’s migratory … Read more
