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Recreation

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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.

Fishing is a way of life in West Virginia where the National Park Service is holding a grandfamily fishing program.
Recreation

New River Gorge to host Oct. 10 grandfamilies fishing day

by David Sibray

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

Archery provides a safe alternative to fire arms in urban settings.
Recreation

Special urban deer archery season opens Sept. 5

by David Sibray

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 Elk River flows past Big Chimney eat miles above its mouth at Charleston.
Recreation

State adds, upgrades kayaking access on Elk River

by David Sibray

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 splash dam crosses the upper Guyandotte River near its source at Amigo. Photo courtesy Tara Chavez of http://peepingdragonphotography.com/.
Recreation

New Guyandotte Water Trail opening in southern W.Va.

by David Sibray

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

A West Virginia youth practices target shooting with bow and arrow. (Photo courtesy W.Va. Dept. of Commerce)
Recreation

W.Va. DNR shares tips for introducing children to archery

by Will Reedy

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

Bluegill are a favorite lake and pond fish among West Virginia anglers.
Recreation

W.Va. biologists researching ways to grow bigger bluegill

by Will Reedy

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

Geocaching is enjoying renewed interest as a socially-distanced pastime in West Virginia.
Recreation

New geocaching trail attracting attention in Marion County

by David Sibray

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

Dear are exceeding manageable goals in several areas of West Virginia.
Recreation

Applications available for W.Va. 2020 Limited Antlerless Hunt

by Will Reedy

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

Kayaker on Deckers Creek, Morgantown, West Virginia, Monongalia County, Monongahela Valley Region
Recreation

Making sense of whitewater rapid classifications

by Mark Armstrong

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