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 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
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
