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.
If you love music as much as whitewater rafting, now’s your chance to purchase tickets for the three-day Mountain Music Festival at ACE Adventure Resort that include an exclusive raft trip with the festival’s top bands. Two of 25 bands playing the June 1-3 festival will raft Saturday during an excursion open to festival-goers who purchase … Read more
The commercial whitewater-rafting season in the New River Gorge kicked off with high water and high hopes in March, and though water levels have already dropped, officials say expectations for the season ahead remain high. Despite a sharp decline in water-based tourism following floods in June 2016, tourists are eager to return to the region … Read more
Beginning April 24, a ranger will guide Monday evening hikes to the secluded Long Point overlook at Summersville Lake in south-central West Virginia, offering visitors a chance to encounter a singular clifftop ecosystem with a naturalist in tow. The moderate, two-hour hike to and from cliffs along the largest lake in West Virginia is ideally suited … Read more
Spring gobbler season in West Virginia opens Monday, April 17, and state officials are predicting a good season boosted by the 2016 cicada emergence. Hunters may kill only one bearded turkey per day and two during the season, which runs through Saturday, May 13, according to Gary Foster of the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources. Youth … Read more
One of West Virginia’s largest adventure resorts is investing again in the burgeoning outdoor-adventure community at Fayetteville on the New River Gorge. ACE Adventure Resort, which hosts more than 50,000 guests annually near Oak Hill, has opened a 5,500-square-foot gear store at the entrance to Fayetteville’s historic downtown — an investment that’s already enjoying returns, … Read more
The League of American Bicyclists has selected two bike shops in Fayetteville to receive its Bicycle-Friendly Business designation, according to a spokesperson from a regional active-living initiative for the New River region of southern West Virginia. New River Bikes and Marathon Bicycle Company were awarded silver-level designations for their efforts to accommodate and encourage bicycle riding … Read more
The W.Va. Division of National Resources is stocking trout in five state park lakes on April 22 to encourage family fishing during the Earth Day 2017 weekend. This is the first time the division has announced in advance the date of stockings; the unique Saturday-stocking is meant to encourage families and friends to fish in … Read more
North Bend State Park is introducing adventurers to rock climbing and rappelling on cliffs overlooking the North Fork of the Hughes River as part of the park’s outdoor-adventure initiative. The $175 two-day adventure for two includes overnight camping and climbing and camping equipment and is available April through September, according to park naturalist Ken Zebo. The climbing-and-rappelling … Read more
A walk on the Long Point, the focus of a two-hour guided hike scheduled for April 8 near Summersville, W.Va. According to Levi Moore of Active Southern West Virginia, the Long Point Trail is a must-do in south-central West Virginia, though not as well known as the similarly named Long Point trail 20 miles to … Read more
Celebrate the glory of Appalachian spring on the New River, in the New River Gorge, and beyond during the fourteenth annual New River Gorge Wildflower Weekend, April 28 to 30, featuring ranger-guided hikes and programs in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, at Tamarack, and in Babcock, Hawks Nest, Little Beaver, Pipestem Resort … Read more
