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. — Early black bear gun hunting, with or without dogs, is available in four counties from September 3-11, 2022, and will open up in five additional counties on October 1, according to the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources. Colin Carpenter, black bear project leader for the division, said an excess population of the … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources reminds hunters to prepare for the state’s archery and crossbow seasons for white-tailed deer, black bears, and wild boars. The popular seasons will open on Sept. 24 and run through Dec. 31. Hunters are also reminded to purchase their license and stamps at wvhunt.com before … Read more
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The W.Va. Natural Resources Commission has approved updates to the regulations for coyote night hunting. Using any color artificial light or night vision technology, including image intensification, thermal imaging, or active illumination, for coyote hunting in West Virginia is permitted between September 1 and December 31 on private land. Hunting coyotes … Read more
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is now accepting applications to participate in controlled autumn deer hunts at four state parks. Controlled hunts are scheduled this fall at Beech Fork, Cacapon Resort, North Bend, and Twin Falls Resort state parks. Hunters have until Aug. 31 to apply. The hunts will … Read more
DAVIS, W.Va. — More than a few magazines in recent years have ranked the Canaan Valley in West Virginia among the top U.S. skiing destinations, but ski-area officials say life in the winter wonderland is about more than skiing. A three-hour drive from Pittsburgh and Washington, D.C., the high-elevation valley and its ski areas have … Read more
While West Virginia boasts some of the cleanest mountain streams in the U.S., there’s work to be done on rivers in formerly industrialized areas of the state where conscientious kayakers are working to remove debris. Since its inception in 2016, the Trash-Your-Kayak Cleanup Crew has removed more than 3,000 tires and three-and-a-half tons of trash … Read more
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is now accepting applications to hunt in limited permit areas during the 2022 antlerless deer season. According to Chris Ryan, game management supervisor for the division, applications for the lottery are available online at WVHunt.com and will be accepted until midnight on Aug. 12. “These limited permit areas … Read more
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve offers countless opportunities for adventures, and one of the most accessible and highly rewarding is a hike on the Long Point Trail near Fayetteville in southern West Virginia. At three miles out and back, the trail explores a deciduous upland forest and arrives at … Read more
MATEWAN, W.Va.—The mountainous borderland between Kentucky and West Virginia where the Hatfields and McCoys once feuded is now increasingly the domain of adventure travelers. Seeking a retreat in one of the most remote sections of the Appalachian Mountains, here adventurers on all-terrain vehicles climb into the precipitous hills, and historians and history buffs explore ghost … Read more
With its ideal mix of terrain, elevation, and untouched beauty begging to be discovered, West Virginia is an ideal destination for mountain biking, according to one of its chief proponents. Tracy Toler, co-owner of Adventure Trail Systems, says that while there are great mountain biking opportunities out West, it’s one of the fastest-growing sports in … Read more
