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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.

Campbell Falls at Camp Creek State Park, Mercer County, Bluestone Region
Recreation

Trout stocking underway for 2019 in West Virginia

by Will Reedy

West Virginia’s 2019 trout-stocking season is underway. Through May 31, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will stock lakes and streams around the state each week. Beginning in March, the stocking schedule will shift to Tuesday-through-Saturday, according to division fisheries supervisor Jim Hedrick. Currently, the stocking schedule is Monday-through-Friday, Hedrick said. “The Saturday stockings … Read more

Levi Moore leads a winter hike through the woods in southern West Virginia.
Recreation

Once wheelchair-bound, active-living mentor to lead Jan. 1 hike

by David Sibray

First Day hiking has become enormously popular across the U.S., providing would-be enthusiasts the opportunity to jump-start their engines with a group of like-minded companions. However, a January 1 hike planned in the New River Gorge in West Virginia is offering participants something beyond the usual — the opportunity to hike with active-living mentor Levi … Read more

Otter In West Virginia
Recreation

W.Va. trappers and hunters must tag fur-bearing catch

by Will Reedy

Officials at the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources are reminding trappers of beaver, bobcat, fishers, and otters that they are required to electronically register their catches within 30 days after the close of the respective season. Fur-bearer trapping seasons in the state opened Nov. 3, according to Gary Foster of the division’s Wildlife Resources Section. Foster … Read more

Greg Dotson, director of environmental health and safety for Eureka Midstream, presented the $75,000 to the Mid-Ohio Valley Branch of Quality Deer Management Association at the 2018 Mountaineer QDMA banquet in Morgantown, West Virginia.
Recreation

Gas developer helps fund restoration in wildlife-management area

by David Sibray

A large-scale, cooperative wildlife-habitat enhancement project has been initiated in the Lewis Wetzel Wildlife Management Area in southern Wetzel County with a $75,000 donation from Eureka Midstream, according to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. This project involves the division, Eureka Midstream, and the Mountaineer and Mid-Ohio branches of the Quality Deer Management Association … Read more

A white-tailed buck peers out from behind a woodpile.
Recreation

2018 buck firearm season in W.Va. opens Nov. 19

by Will Reedy

The 2018 West Virginia buck firearms season begins Monday, Nov. 19, and runs through Dec. 1, according to the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources, which estimates that approximately 250,000 deer hunters will roam the state’s woods through the period. Hunting contributes $500 million to the state’s economy each year, and deer hunters spend an estimated … Read more