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.
Scenic Roane County, West Virginia, boasts its fair share of rock formations, but the largest of three small natural bridges there makes for an interesting short hike, says David Sibray, publisher of West Virginia Explorer. The pay-off of a private trail that follows an old road through the forest the bridge has been attracting a … Read more
ATV enthusiasts have a new option when it comes to exploring the West Virginia back-country—guided ATV tours on the New River Gorge. Opening in May near the rim of the gorge at Minden, New River ATV Tours is introducing its seven-day-a-week service with a fleet of state-of-the-art all-terrain vehicles that travel a 100-mile trail system, … Read more
As many as 500 participants are expected to attend the sixth annual Elk River Float Trip June 8 at Sutton, West Virginia, in Braxton County. Paddlers might not encounter the region’s legendary Braxton County Monster, but they can expect two to three hours of splashy fun on this gentle, five-mile section of river in the … Read more
Governor Jim Justice has announced that the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources has implemented a new trout-stocking method designed to enhance fishing. Rather than dumping the trout at single locations on a stream, division staff and contractors will now spread the fish over longer sections of stream, the governor said. “This is how our … Read more
More than 300 miles of trail extend into the mountains from Williamson, West Virginia, host of this weekend’s inaugural Dirt Day Festival, which proponents expect to become one of the nation’s chief off-road extravaganzas. Sponsored by the Tug Valley Area Convention and Visitor Bureau, the April 26-28 festival aims to showcase some of the best … Read more
For the third consecutive year, Canaan Valley Ski Resort in northern West Virginia has dominated the Liftopia “Best in Snow” awards program for the southern U.S., which includes ski resorts in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. The resort was named No. 1 in the Beginner-Friendly, Most Challenging, Least Crowded, and Snow Consistency and Quality categories and … Read more
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice and representatives from the state Division of Natural Resources today launched the West Virginia Gold Rush — the Mountain State’s annual golden rainbow trout stocking initiative. “I hope as many West Virginians as possible take advantage of the Gold Rush this year,” Justice said while visiting Babcock State Park. “Fishing … Read more
West Virginia’s 2019 four-week spring gobbler season opens Monday, April 15, and runs through May 11. Hunters can harvest one bearded bird per day with a season bag limit of two. The one-day youth season will be held April 13, the Saturday before the regular season. Youth at least 8 years old and younger than … Read more
Expecting to break attendance records again, organizers of one of the most popular river floats in the U.S.—the annual Tour de Coal—are opening registration early for paddlers who wish to participate in the June 15 event on the lower Coal River. More than 1,600 paddlers joined in 2018, according to Bill Curry, president of Coal … Read more
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
