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.
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
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will host the 12th annual West Virginia Archery-in-the-Schools state tournament at the Charleston Civic Center Saturday, March 25, according to Art Shomo, Program Coordinator. The event will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., followed by an awards ceremony at 4:30 p.m. Students from the following schools have … Read more
The National Park Service is inviting members of the public who have an interest in climbing in national parks in southern West Virginia to attend a listening session at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center in Lansing on Saturday, April 8, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The purpose of the session is for park officials to … Read more
Few of the trails I’ve walked compare to the Sunrise Carriage Trail, once the winding approach to Sunrise, the stately residence of William Alexander MacCorkle, ninth governor of West Virginia. Now a municipal thoroughfare, the trail ascends 180 feet over a .65-mile route from MacCorkle Avenue (US-60). Have an hour to spend immersed in exercise … Read more
This weekend (June 7-8) is free fishing weekend in West Virginia — that time of year when anglers can fish without a license and everyone seems hooked on the sport. Rangers are expecting increased activity on waterways, and ponds on private properties will enjoy a boost as well. The old-time bamboo poles that staff at … Read more
The weekend of June 7-8 (2014) is free fishing weekend in West Virginia, during which residents and nonresidents alike may fish its lakes and streams without a license. Frank Jezerio, director of the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources, emphasized in a May 28 press release the opportunity that weekend to introduce or reintroduce friends and family … Read more
A state record for rainbow trout was established April 30 by Eric Files Sr. of Martinsburg, West Virginia, who pulled the 33.11-inch, 19.40-pound specimen from a private pond in Berkeley County. The catch set a new West Virginia record for weight and length, according to a press release disseminated today by the W.Va. Division of … Read more
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In an effort to increase visitation at state-managed parks and recreation areas, the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources will begin stocking more than 5,000 channel catfish in West Virginia ponds and lakes on May 20, 2014, and anglers who report a tagged catfish will receive a certificate good for a night’s … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Lisa Debarr, of Charleston, originally of Buckhannon, has won a guided whitewater rafting trip for two on the New River with ACE Adventure Resort, according to David Sibray, editor and publisher of West Virginia Explorer. As per the terms of the drawing, Debarr entered by becoming a member of the West Virginia … Read more
There’s only one practical way to reach the ghost town of Spruce on the Shaver’s Fork of the Cheat River, and that’s by train — which may make the opportunity to attend a fly-fishing workshop there that much more alluring. Anglers of every skill level are invited to take part in a $250 weekend workshop … Read more
