Recreation

See our Recreation Travel Guide

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.

Hikers on Bald Knob survey they ski area at Canaan Valley Resort State Park.

Canaan Valley skiing opens Dec. 14 with new capacity

Opening on December 14, 2019, Canaan Valley Resort has invested in upgrades that will see more trails open earlier in the season and help crowds move faster. The resort located high in the Canaan Valley in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia has invested in nine fan guns, four tower guns, and five moveable … Read more

Snow-making commenced on schedule Nov. 1 at Snowshoe Mountain.

Now making snow, Snowshoe posts 2019-2020 events

Snowmaking has commenced on Snowshoe Mountain in the mountains of eastern West Virginia, and officials at the resort complex have announced its 2019-2020 calendar of winter events. “We were able to start making snow overnight in preparation for the upcoming ski season, which we hope to kick-off Friday, Nov. 22,” resort spokesman Shawn Cassell said … Read more

New energy-saving lights at the snow-tubing park at Snowshoe Mountain are expected to bedazzle guests.

Tubing park at Snowshoe goes green (and red, blue…)

Snowshoe Mountain is installing lights that are expected to trim energy use by 80 to 85 percent at its Coca-Cola Tubing Park. But the new lights aren’t just efficient, “they’re also pretty spectacular,” says resort spokesman Shawn Cassell. With a wide variety of color options that allow for stunning light shows, the new cost-saving LED … Read more

Matt Born displays the state record chain pickerel taken in 2019 at Upper Deckers Creek Lake.

Reedsville man catches state record chain pickerel

A West Virginia man caught a 27.87-inch, four-pound chain pickerel on Oct. 13 at Upper Deckers Lake near Reedsville, West Virginia, in Preston County—a state record, according to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Angler Matt Born, of Reedsville, used an in-line spinner to catch the trophy fish, which is a state record in … Read more

Wild boar still range across isolated mountain hollows in Logan County.

Wild boar season opens in southern West Virginia

West Virginia’s 2019 wild boar firearms season opens Oct. 26, runs through Nov. 2, and is open to West Virginia residents only. A second annual wild boar firearms season will run Feb. 7–9, 2020. Boars will be foraging on acorns abundant this season in Boone, Logan, Raleigh, and Wyoming counties, to which boar hunting is … Read more

Students at Bethany College stroll the Parkinson Forest.

Bethany’s Parkinson Forest added to old-growth network

The Parkinson Forest at Bethany College has been added to the national Old-Growth Forest Network—the eleventh site in West Virginia to be included and the first in the state’s northern panhandle. Joan Maloof, Ph.D., founder of the Old-Growth Forest Network, said the forest was ideally suited to the network. “In each county, we look for … Read more

White-tailed deer venison is a favorite traditional meat in West Virginia.

Nutritional wild game benefits the hungry in W.Va.

West Virginia’s abundant wildlife and hunting seasons provide opportunities for many families to fill their freezers with highly nutritious wild game. A low-fat, high-protein alternative, white-tailed deer, for instance, contains fewer calories and approximately five times less fat than the equivalent serving of beef. “Hunting is a great reason to get into the woods and … Read more

An angler cast for trout in the West Virginia highlands.

Hot, dry weather will not delay W.Va. trout stocking

Despite hot, dry weather, fall trout stocking in West Virginia will run as scheduled during the weeks of Oct. 21 and 28, according to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. “We are hoping for more rain, but fall trout stocking is still on,” said division hatchery program Manager Jim Hedrick. “The staff will do … Read more