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.
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
APRIL 30, 2014 –The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources today confirmed the capture of the largest and longest blue catfish in state history, taken on the Ohio River below the Robert C. Byrd Lock & Dam near Apple Grove, W.Va., by Austin Hoffman, of Milton. Hoffman caught the 47.75-inch, 52.95-pound fish using cut bait on April … Read more
We need help spotting errors among our 380 Cities & Towns pages (some of the more-than-3,000 pages we publish), and we’re providing a whitewater trip as incentive for folks who are ready to help. Find a town, find an error or omission there, and report it through our Contact Us page. Whether your suggestion is … Read more
The New River Gorge is one of the most popular single-pitch climbing destinations in the eastern United States. High quality sandstone and proximity to major population centers make it a premier destination for climbers of all abilities. The climbing area is located on rocks along the rim of the gorge high above the New River near Fayetteville, … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Springtime is a good time to take the family fishing, says a West Virginia wildlife biologist. The spring of 2014 may be especially so, thanks to a long, snowy winter. Bret Preston, the assistant chief of warmwater fisheries for the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources, reckoned that adequate precipitation and temperatures have made … Read more
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — ACE Adventure Resort will launch the first New River whitewater rafting trip of its 2014 season at noon Saturday, according to communications director Beth Gill. Three customers from McLean, Virginia, have booked the first trip, which will depart from the ACE visitor center at Minden, near Oak Hill, W.Va., at noon under … Read more
