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.
A new rock climbing area is drawing more outdoor recreation to New Martinsville, West Virginia, and Wetzel County, already known for their
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
Thanks to West Virginia’s year-round trout stocking program, fishing opportunities abound across the state, and officials are looking toward a new employment program to help stock in spring. Fisheries biologists have been stocking trout in lakes and streams around the state since the beginning of the year, according to Jim Hedrick, hatchery program manager for … Read more
Hunters harvested 3,099 black bears during the combined archery and firearms seasons in West Virginia in 2019—the third-highest harvest ever recorded in the Mountain State. The preliminary harvest for the combined seasons is 19 percent above the 2,606 bears killed in 2018, and the harvest has exceeded 3,000 kills in four of the last five … Read more
No other U.S. state may be as strongly associated with hunting as West Virginia, says a Canadian writer who’s fallen in love with the Mountain State. Years ago, while writing for hunting and fishing magazines, Larry Oakley became aware of the state’s unique relationship with hunting and has been writing about the outdoor experience in … Read more
Two West Virginia record fish have been caught so far this January. Length records for grass carp and blue catfish were broken by two West Virginia anglers, the state Division of Natural Resources announced on Thursday. Zachary Adkins, of Cabins, caught a 53.1-inch, 59-pound grass carp at Warden Lake in Hardy County on January 3. … Read more
Hunters and anglers celebrated their love for the outdoors at the capitol Tuesday as West Virginia officials recognized the winners of a 2020 hunting and fishing license contest. While presenting the awards, Governor Jim Justice, an avid outdoorsman himself, spoke with enthusiasm about his administration’s success bolstering the industry, attracting resident and non-resident participants alike. … Read more
A remarkable 10-kilometer running and walking race through the scenic New River Gorge near Fayetteville, West Virginia, could attract as many as 400 participants on May 16, organizers say. A first-of-its-kind challenge, the rim-to-rim race will follow a paved route beneath the New River Gorge Bridge and is already attracting interest nationally, according to Melanie … Read more
