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.
Youth, senior, and Class Q/QQ hunters in West Virginia will be able to participate in a special hunting season for antlerless deer and a new season for black bear. Special seasons for antlerless deer and bear will run October 17-18, during which youth (ages 8-17), seniors, and Class Q/QQ senior hunters with Class XS licenses … Read more
Thanks to a mini-grant program spearheaded by WVU, West Virginians from Berkeley County to Mingo County will have new and improved opportunities to be physically active in their communities. Funded by the West Virginia Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease, the program launched in 2019 was designed to improve the lives of West Virginians … Read more
The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is hosting a second Grandfamilies Fishing Day in southern West Virginia on Saturday, October 10, 2020. At the park’s Camp Brookside Environmental Education Center near Hinton, West Virginia, the event invites grandchildren and their grandparents to participate free-of-charge and enjoy time in the great outdoors fishing or … Read more
The opening of West Virginia’s archery and crossbow deer season is still a few weeks away, but hunters can get in the woods as early as September 5 when special deer archery hunts open in municipalities around the state. These urban deer archery hunts—coordinated by cities, towns, homeowner associations, and the West Virginia Division of … Read more
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is upgrading public-access sites along the Elk River in Kanawha County and adding several new locations near Charleston where anglers and kayakers can put a boat into this popular waterway. Work is underway on new access sites at Clendenin and Big Chimney. Additionally, upgrades are being made to … Read more
A new water trail that leads through the mountains of southern West Virginia is springing to life, providing continuous river access to anglers and boaters across 160 miles that include some of the state’s most ruggedly beautiful terrain. The National Coal Heritage Area Authority and the newly formed Guyandotte Water Trail Alliance will hold a … Read more
Families looking for an alternative for school-based sports or a new outdoor activity their children have plenty of options in West Virginia, thanks to archery and other bow-shooting programs. With the COVID-19 pandemic creating uncertainty over participation in traditional team sports this school year, now is a great time to start, according to officials at … Read more
Hunters who wish to participate in a controlled waterfowl hunt at the McClintic Wildlife Management Area in Mason County have until midnight on August 11 to submit an application to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Successful applicants will be notified by mail by the second week of September and given their hunt day … Read more
There’s always a bigger fish, isn’t there? That’s what fisheries biologists in West Virginia are trying to determine as they research ways the state can provide anglers with bigger bluegill. Over the last few years, fish biologists with the state Division of Natural Resources have been focusing on how bluegill management in small lakes can … Read more
As a socially-distanced pastime, geocaching is enjoying a boost worldwide and in West Virginia just as Marion County reveals a new county-wide geocaching trail. The 10-cache trail invites visitors to explore the county’s most important attractions, according to trail organizer Mark Webb, an intern for the Marion County Convention and Visitors Bureau. “It’s a fun … Read more
