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.
Staff at Snowshoe Mountain Resort, in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, are taking advantage of the coldest December weather pattern in years, which resort officials are haling as the “most terrain” they have had by the middle of December in well over a decade. The consistently cold weather has allowed the resort to keep its state-of-the-art … Read more
It’s beginning to look a lot like ski season in north central West Virginia at Canaan Valley Resort ski area. Encouraged by the wintry weather, the resort has fired up its fleet of snow-making equipment with the goal of covering the popular multi-lane tubing park in advance of Thanksgiving weekend, building a deep base in time for … Read more
West Virginia’s traditional buck firearms season will start Monday, Nov. 20, 2017, and run through Dec. 2. Hunters should see plenty of deer this year due to the season opening close to the “rut,” or, mating season. November firearms deer season traditionally opens the Monday before Thanksgiving, so the season can start as early as Nov. 19 and as late as Nov. … Read more
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is conducting a study of state residents’ opinions on and attitudes toward black bears and black bear management. According to Colin Carpenter, black bear project leader for the division, residents may receive a phone call from Responsive Management, a research firm contracted to conduct the study, asking them … Read more
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
