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.
After a long gray winter, hikers are as apt as wildflowers to burst forth, and eight West Virginia state parks are preparing for an epic Saint Patrick’s Day weekend during which guided hikes are set to take advantage of the first signs of spring. Green Day hikes are planned for Pipestem, Twin Falls, Watoga, Cacapon, … Read more
A women’s empowerment hike to the legendary Long Point overlook of the New River Gorge near Fayetteville, West Virginia, has been scheduled for March 30. Kate Miller of Active Southern West Virginia will lead the three-mile “We Hike to Heal” event, during which participants are encouraged to share stories about the power of Mother Nature … Read more
In an effort to encourage families and new anglers to enjoy fishing during the spring 2019 season, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is promoting the locations of 69 trout stockings scheduled for Fridays and Saturdays. Locations were selected based on proximity to state parks and adequate access points and to accommodate anglers and … Read more
Paddling sports such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are increasing in popularity in the Mountain State, and editors at West Virginia Explorer are asking for public input building a comprehensive guide to its paddling events. Editor-in-chief David Sibray says the online magazine that reaches more than a million visitors annually will publish and disseminate the … Read more
The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources will hold 12 public meetings across the state on proposed hunting, trapping, and fishing regulations March 11-12 from 6 to 8 p.m. Anglers, hunters, trappers, landowners, and other concerned citizens who attend will have an opportunity to review and comment on proposed 2020 fishing regulations, 2020-2021 general hunting and … Read more
Warm as it may seem in the mid-Atlantic region, it’s still unmistakably winter in the Allegheny Mountains in northern West Virginia, and the Canaan Valley Resort Ski Area is prepared to extend its ski season through March 17 or longer. Thanks to exceptional wintry conditions and strategic snow-making, the resort is enjoying “epic spring conditions,” … Read more
The New River Gorge Trail Alliance has received a $60,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to study the expansion of a bike trail system across a large part of southern West Virginia. Trails would be extended into Summers, Webster, Raleigh, Monroe and Kanawha counties should the study find it is feasible to extend beyond … Read more
A state record yellow perch was caught by Clinton Mills, of Ravenswood, West Virginia, on Feb. 24, 2018, according to a news release from the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources. Mills caught the 14.5-inch, 2.04-pound fish on a 10-pound test line with live bait while fishing from a boat on Summersville Lake in Nicholas County. … Read more
The West Virginia Natural Resources Commission will conduct its quarterly meeting Sunday, Feb. 24, at the DNR Headquarters at 324 4th Avenue in South Charleston at 1 p.m. The public is invited to attend and make comments. The public is invited to attend and make comments. Items on the agenda include: Introductions and Acknowledgements: John … Read more
Hunters in West Virginia registered 108,856 white-tailed deer through West Virginia’s electronic game-checking system during the recently completed seasons, according to the state Division of Natural Resources. The total harvest was within one percent of the 2017 deer harvest of 108,160 and 11 percent below the five-year average of 122,924, said Paul Johansen, chief of … Read more
