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.
LOUDONDALE, W.Va. — A stream restoration project designed to improve fishing and recreation at Kanawha State Forest near Charleston, West Virginia, has been completed, according to West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice. Started in 2020, the project was a significant undertaking and included the removal of the Davis Creek Dam, which was built in the 1930s. … Read more
TAMS, W.Va. — Some of southern West Virginia’s historic ghost towns are attracting the attention of trout anglers nationwide as the region recovers from the coal mining boom of the early 20th century. Descending from mountains once known chiefly for their coal, select streams in the upper watersheds of the Tug Fork and Guyandotte rivers … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice today announced the winners of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources second annual Big Buck Photo Contest. The 20 youth and five adult winners were announced at a press conference at the State Capitol on Wednesday. Justice, an avid hunter, thanked state officials and all who had submitted … Read more
West Virginia Explorer Magazine publishes an updated list of waters stocked by the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources as the division publishes announcements. Trout Stocking in West Virginia, March 6-10, 2023. The following West Virginia waters were stocked with trout from March 6-10, 2023. Anthony Creek Big Clear Creek Little Clear Creek Big Sandy Creek … Read more
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Students from 65 schools will participate in the 18th annual West Virginia Archery-in-the-Schools State Tournament on March 25, according to officials with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Chris Scraggs, the division’s archery-in-schools program coordinator, says the program has blossomed since the Covid 19 pandemic, and the tournament is being … Read more
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will host 12 in-person public meetings in mid-March 2023 to discuss proposed hunting, trapping, and fishing regulations, according to division director Brett McMillion. The meetings are scheduled at various locations around the state on Monday, March 13, and Tuesday, March 14, from 6 to … Read more
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Deer hunters in West Virginia have had a very good year, according to officials at the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources. According to preliminary numbers released by the division, hunters harvested 118,606 deer during the 2022–2023 seasons, which is a 12.7 percent increase over the 2021 harvest and 12.2 percent above … Read more
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va.—One of the world’s first and largest outdoor-adventure resorts, Adventures on the Gorge can trace its roots back 50 years to the earliest days of whitewater rafting in the New River Gorge. The story is one of imagination, youthful determination, excellent timing, and a whole lot of luck. Paul Breuer was then a cash-strapped … Read more
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Officials at the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources are reminding hunters and trappers that West Virginia’s 2023 furbearer trapping and small-game hunting seasons will end in February and March. Hunting and trapping seasons for red and gray foxes, bobcats, and raccoons will close on Feb. 28. Trapping seasons for coyote, otter, … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Hunters harvested 1,727 black bears during the combined archery, crossbow, and firearms seasons in West Virginia in 2022, according to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. The preliminary harvest for the combined 2022 seasons is 37 percent below the 2,756 bears killed in 2021. According to Colin Carpenter, black bear project … Read more
