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.
I had the opportunity to walk the one-mile loop trail at Walter Nature Park near Winfield, West Virginia, in Putnam County, a delightful path and wanders through forest and young woodlands in the hills above the Kanawha River. If you’re looking for a good family trail in western West Virginia, this gets my vote. The … Read more
Is it too soon to talk about skiing? — not in the highest peaks in the Appalachian Mountains, in which snow is expected in less than a month. Flakes will fall west of Washington, D.C., by the end of October; and Canaan Valley Resort will be waiting. One of three ski areas in what’s been … Read more
The West Virginia Gold Rush—special stocking of golden rainbow trout—will return in 2019 with more fish and new locations, according to Stephen McDaniel, director of the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources. “Gold Rush” will return the week of April 1-6, 2019, and include stockings and events at more than 55 lakes and streams across the … Read more
Outdoor enthusiasts are invited to Stonewall Resort State Park in Lewis County for West Virginia’s Celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day Sept. 22-23, 2018, according to the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources. The event is the largest outdoor hunting-and-fishing show in the Mountain State, with approximately 100 vendors exhibiting hunting, fishing and conservation-related merchandise … Read more
Archery and crossbow seasons for white-tailed deer, black bear, and wild boar will open Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in West Virginia, and its archery and crossbow deer and bear seasons will run through Dec. 31. The wild boar archery and crossbow season is a split season, with the first segment also from Sept. 29 to … Read more
I could hardly have chosen a more sweltering afternoon on which to hike the Alice Knight Memorial Trail — a 1.1-mile loop that follows the upper course of Coonskin Fork, a tributary of the Elk River for which Coonskin Park is named. Temperatures were hovering in the mid-90s, remarkable in September even in the lush, … Read more
Celebrating the 50th year of whitewater rafting in West Virginia, officials at River Expeditions say a pleasant Indian Summer should enhance Gauley Season 2018, which opens today. “There’s a feeling of excitement on the Guests soak at River Expeditions[/caption] “It’s hard to believe that only 50 years ago the first commercial raft trips put-in not … Read more
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will lead 20 guided tours of the Mountain State’s new elk-reintroduction site near Logan, West Virginia, in September and October 2018, according to Stephen McDaniel, director of the division. Public tours will start at Chief Logan Lodge and include a visit to the Tomblin Wildlife Management Area, where … Read more
September marks the beginning of many hunting seasons, and officials at the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources are reminding hunters to prepare by scouting, inspecting equipment, and sharpening their skills. “By late August you should be able to gauge fall mast conditions in the areas you hunt,” says Ethan Barton, a wildlife-biologist stationed in Romney. … Read more
The West Virginia Tourism Office has launched its official countdown to Gauley Season. Only 10 days remain until whitewater-rafting enthusiasts from around the world travel to West Virginia to experience some of the best Class V+ rapids along the East Coast. “West Virginia’s whitewater is truly ‘almost heaven,’ and this Gauley Season, I invite everyone … Read more
