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.
Electrofishing is proving to be an effective way to collect data about walleye, a popular sport fish, the population of which the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has been managing in the New River for nearly 20 years. Mark Scott, assistant chief of fish management for the division, says electrofishing is a common method … Read more
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will present proposed hunting, trapping and fishing regulations to the public at locations around the state on March 16-17. Scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m., the meetings will be hosted at schools and community centers and in other public spaces in each district. During the meetings, hunters, trappers, … Read more
Fayette, Raleigh, Summers, and Nicholas counties in southern West Virginia have been selected by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to participate as a pilot program to help residents lead healthier lifestyles. The Move Your Way campaign is designed to help residents understand how much physical activity they need to be healthy and … Read more
When it comes to participating in West Virginia’s many hunting seasons, there’s a lot to remember. But new hunters don’t have to learn everything on their own, thanks to hunter-education classes being provided by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. The class is open to anyone who wants to learn more about hunting, but … Read more
Fisheries biologists with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources are using old Christmas trees to improve habitat at popular fishing locations around the Mountain State. Aaron Yeager, an assistant fisheries biologist, said the program is very beneficial. “Most of our reservoirs are lacking in complex woody cover, so any type of structure we can … Read more
Officials at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park are temporarily closing some climbing areas on Maryland Heights to accommodate a pair of nesting peregrine falcons. A pair of the fastest birds in the world are eyeing the cliffs on Maryland Heights in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park as their nesting site. To provide the peregrine falcons … Read more
A new rock climbing area is drawing more outdoor recreation to New Martinsville, West Virginia, and Wetzel County, already known for their Wetzel County Court House at New Martinsville, WV[/caption] Known as the Kiedasch Wall, the climbing area is part of the largest sheer rock face in the region and has long been known for … Read more
Four years after its founding, the New River Gorge Trail Alliance has decided to change its name to the Mountain State Trail Alliance to reflect the counties involved in the organization, according to organization president Bill Wells. “As the trail alliance expanded over the last few years, we realized that we had outgrown our original … Read more
Preliminary counts indicate hunters harvested 99,437 white-tailed deer in West Virginia during the 2019-20 seasons, according to the state Division of Natural Resources. The harvest was nine percent below the 2018 harvest of 108,856 deer and 13 percent below the five-year average of 114,520. A breakdown of the combined 2019-20 deer seasons reveals 36,472 bucks … Read more
From Wheeling to Williamson, West Virginians will gain new and improved options to get active with a leisurely stroll or bicycle ride, thanks to a statewide project involving West Virginia University. The Center for ActiveWV has announced a slate of inaugural grant funding for 13 projects that increase or improve pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure in … Read more
