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.

Adam McGill will race in West Virginia at the all-new venue of Summit Bechtel Reserve.

Summit hosts world’s largest off-road series Oct. 12-13

The world’s largest off-road motorcycle and ATV racing series will hold its inaugural Grand National Cross Country at the Summit Bechtel Reserve near Beckley, West Virginia, October 12-13. The Yamaha Racing Mountaineer Grand National Cross Country will serve as the penultimate round of the 2019 AMSOIL Grand National Cross Country Series presented by Specialized, an … Read more

Families gather in the village atop Snowshoe Mountain in eastern West Virginia.

Snowshoe Mountain to open ski areas November 22

Making more snow than ever before, Snowshoe Mountain will open for skiing and snowboarding on November 22, weather permitting. Overnight temperatures are already dipping into the 30s in the Alleghenies, and resort officials are feeling confident following upgrades to the mountain’s snowmaking system. “We invested nearly $4 million into our snowmaking system in 2018, and … Read more

A raft launches into the Gauley River during an exciting excursion with River Expeditions.

Cool autumn weather could super-charge Gauley River rafting

The return of autumn could result in an end-of-season boom for whitewater rafting on the Gauley River, the legendary West Virginia destination for paddling in fall. “I expect that after temperatures cool off, we could see a more traditional Gauley season,” says Heather Johnson, co-owner of River Expeditions. “It’s been a beautiful fall, but I … Read more

A Wild Turkey In West Virginia

2019 fall turkey season in West Virginia opens Oct. 12

West Virginia’s fall wild turkey season opens Oct. 12. All 55 counties will have at least a one-week fall season, according to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. It’s also the second fall turkey season during which Sunday hunting is permitted on both private and public lands. “Fall wild turkey season dates are based … Read more

White-tailed deer in West Virginia

Big game in W.Va. to be checked through electronic system

Big-game hunting season is on the approach in West Virginia, and officials are reminding hunters that they must field-tag and electronically check their harvest. Field tags must be completed before moving the carcass and remain with the carcass until it’s electronically checked. Hunters are no longer required to transport their harvest to a check station, … Read more

Candace Evans leads a yoga course at Fayetteville, West Virginia.

Five reasons West Virginia town has become yoga destination

Long a mecca for hiking, biking, climbing, and paddling vacations, A busker performs outside a Fayetteville shop.[/caption] Adjacent to the national parklands of the New River Gorge, an ideal combination of factors have helped establish Fayetteville as a yoga destination, which residents have happily embraced. Evans says instructors at the Hikers at Beauty Mountain (Photo: … Read more

A young hunter enjoys the autumn season in West Virginia. Photo courtesy W.Va. Dept. of Commerce.

W.Va. releases 2019 Mast Survey and Hunting Outlook

A bounty of apples, black cherries, and red and black oak acorns will affect hunting in West Virginia this year, according to a report released today, while white and chestnut oak acorns are fewer and well below their long-term average. The fluctuation in food sources will greatly affect hunting, according to officials at the W.Va. … Read more

Campers gather around a fire in a West Virginia forest.

Governor amends dry-weather ban to permit some campfires

Due to dry weather conditions, Gov. Jim Justice last week restricted outdoor burning in West Virginia, but today amended his proclamation to allow for campfires in state and federal recreation areas under specific conditions, according to Andy Malinoski, a spokesman for the W.Va. Dept. of Commerce. At the request of officials with the West Virginia … Read more

ATVs parade through Gilbert, West Virginia, during National Trailfest.

National Trailfest to attract record ATV fans Oct. 10-14

More than 5,000 ATV enthusiasts are expected to visit Gilbert, West Virginia, this October during National Trailfest, now one of the nation’s largest all-terrain vehicle festivals. “It’s amazing to watch a town of 500 people grow into a town of 5,500,” says Victoria Surber, director of the Gilbert Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Yet, I think … Read more