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.
Snow tubing and ice skating at Canaan Valley Resort will open briefly for Thanksgiving in November then reopen December 15 for the ski season, according to resort officials. The resort’s popular 1,200-foot tubing park—the longest in the Mid-Atlantic region, according to a release from the resort—will open Nov. 24 and operate through Sunday then reopen … Read more
A year after doubling its snow-making capacity, Canaan Valley Resort ski area near Davis, West Virginia, is increasing its capabilities by another 20 percent, according to the resort’s general manager. In 2016, the ski area added six stick-guns and five propeller-driven snow guns and was able to keep most of its trails open even after … Read more
Hunting and trapping seasons for small game in West Virginia will commence in mid-October, and wildlife biologists with the state Division of Natural Resources are predicting good opportunities for success this season. An increase in the availability of mast this year and a mild winter in 2016-2017 should contribute to a bountiful season, according to … Read more
The production of acorns, apples, walnuts, and hickory nuts is significantly higher than in 2016 and will have noticeable effects on the 2017–2018 hunting seasons in West Virginia, according to the state Division of Natural Resources. Deer, bear, and turkey harvests should all be influenced by a season of plentiful “mast”—the seed and fruit produced … Read more
An updated, online interactive map that provides valuable information on hunting and fishing adventures in West Virginia is now accessible on smartphones and tablets, according to Stephen McDaniel, director of the state Division of Natural Resources. Hunters will find the locations of license agents, check stations, public shooting ranges, wildlife management areas, Class-Q hunter-access roads … Read more
Whitewater-rafting guides who have been plying the Gauley River in West Virginia are reporting that water temperatures are higher than normal for autumn. Officials at one of the state’s adventure resorts say there’s a good explanation. “Though they’re not out there with thermometers, the guides have noticed,” says Dave Arnold, a co-founder of Adventures on … Read more
You don’t need a passport to experience world-class whitewater rafting—it’s available on the legendary Gauley River in West Virginia, but only for four more weeks. Designated by the National Park Service as a the centerpiece of a national recreation area, the Gauley is touted as “one of the most adventurous whitewater-boating rivers in the United … Read more
Officials say a moonrise walk that attracted a record number of hikers to the New River Gorge in southern West Virginia last week could indicate that attitudes toward recreation locally are changing. Eighty-nine participants turned out for a two-mile walk on the Endless Wall Trail, surprising officials who are accustomed to leading groups of several … Read more
Construction on the Long Point Trail—one of the most popular trails in the national park system in southern West Virginia—has been scheduled to close parts of the 1.6-mile route on mid-week days through September. Once complete, the trail to a rocky overlook of the New River Gorge will include improved parking, interpretive signage, raised wooden … Read more
Imagine peddling less and riding faster. The new electric-assist mountain bikes at Adventures on the Gorge allow riders to do just that. The new powered bikes that are being used in the resort’s half-day Fat Kat Tours can maintain a top speed of 20 miles-an-hour on flat terrain, but they fly when the rider pedals, … Read more
