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.
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is accepting applications for its 2020 Limited Antlerless Hunt, which will be permitted in areas where division biologists have deemed the deer population too high. Chris Ryan, the supervisor of game management services for the division, says the hunt will help wildlife officials manage herds in those areas. … Read more
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — With its many rivers coursing through many different kinds of terrain, West Virginia is a paradise for paddlers and rafters, especially where whitewater paddling is concerned. So, familiarizing yourself with the International Scale of River Difficulty and understanding how whitewater rapids are classified could prove advisable if you’re planning a visit to … Read more
Leading up to the Mountain State’s annual free fishing weekend June 13-14, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is stocking nearly 6,000 pounds of channel catfish in 41 ponds and lakes around the state. Division Director Stephen McDaniel says the catfish stockings have become extremely popular across the state as trout-fishing season winds down. … Read more
Once in a while, something good economically happens in the valley of the Coal River in West Virginia, and many years back, Boone and Lincoln counties got their share of the Hatfield-McCoy Trails network, and two sites opened representing the most northern of the trail system’s many trails. Two trailheads operating in Julian, West Virginia, … Read more
Towns and cities in 27 counties across West Virginia are being provided with funds to build and improve sidewalks, lighting, and rail trails. West Virginia Governor Jim Justice and West Virginia Department of Transportation Secretary Byrd White awarded 38 Transportation Alternatives and Recreational Trails Program grants worth $7,414,975 in total. The governor emphasized the economic … Read more
As the summer boating season approaches, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is reminding members of the public to wear life jackets while boating or swimming in lakes, rivers, and streams. Most water-related deaths, injuries, and incidents in West Virginia happen because someone was not wearing a life jacket or personal flotation device, according … Read more
It’s finally stopped snowing in the Allegheny Mountains in West Virginia—in time for officials at Snowshoe Mountain Resort to unveil a modified schedule of events for summer and fall 2020. Including its Snowshoe Bike Park, the highland resort perhaps best-known for its ski areas will operate Thursdays through Sundays beginning July 2, according to resort president … Read more
State-managed parks and forests in West Virginia are offering state residents discounts of 30 percent on overnight stays in cabins, campgrounds, and lodge rooms between June 1 through August 31, 2020. Governor Jim Justice announces the historic discount on lodging to show his appreciation for the resiliency and support of West Virginians during the COVID-19 … Read more
Overnight facilities in West Virginia’s state parks and forests closed to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus will start reopening to state residents on May 21. Campgrounds are scheduled to open May 21, while cabins and lodges will open on May 26, according to park system officials. To follow the guidelines of Governor Jim … Read more
A West Virginia University researcher says exercising on local rail trails has doubled during the pandemic and is safe as long as people use best practices to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. According to the Mon River Trails Conservancy trail counter data, trail use at the trail’s Van Voorhis trailhead is up 101 percent, and … Read more
