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.
SLATYFORK, W.Va. — Snowshoe Mountain ski resort in West Virginia will open for its 50th anniversary on Nov. 27, weather permitting. The announcement follows the region’s first snowfall, which descended on the mountain, one of the highest peaks in the Allegheny Mountains, in mid-October. Resort spokesman Shawn Cassell said planning for ski season, a year-round … Read more
LANSING, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice and other state and federal dignitaries cut the ribbon today on an expanded parking facility established to accommodate a boom in tourism sweeping the state. Justice and Chelsea Ruby, secretary of the W.Va. Department of Tourism, opened the new parking area at the 2.4-mile Endless Wall Trail in the … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia will begin fall trout stockings during the weeks of Oct. 21 and 28, along with its third annual Monster Trout Contest. The W.Va. Dept. of Natural Resources will stock 35,000 pounds of trout weighing one to two pounds in 40 lakes and streams around the state and 6,500 pounds of … Read more
GREEN BANK, W.Va.— More than 80 miles of the 311-mile Allegheny Trail wander through Pocahontas County in eastern West Virginia, a fact that the state’s outdoor recreation community will celebrate Sept. 6-8 at the Green Bank Observatory to mark the trail’s 50th anniversary. According to Jake Hyer, marketing specialist for the Pocahontas County Convention & … Read more
BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. — West Virginia officials have broken ground on the largest mountain bike trail project in state history. At Cacapon Resort State Park, a two-hour drive from downtown Washington, D.C., the $3.5 million project will add 35 miles of professionally designed mountain bike trails to the park’s trail system. Brett McMillion, director of … Read more
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — From increases in diversity to an uptick in female groups, the outdoor adventure industry in the New River Gorge region in West Virginia has witnessed significant shifts in guest participation in recent years, according to an industry spokesman. Those trends have been evident at Adventures on the Gorge, an adventure resort on … Read more
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — Which are the best hiking trails in West Virginia’s new national park? Deb Moses Lamey, president of Friends of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, is a consummate hiker who knows the trails that climb through the gorge and surrounding highlands. With more than 40 designated hiking trails, the park … Read more
ROANOKE, W.Va. — According to West Virginia officials, the state’s National Hunting and Fishing Day celebration will return to Stonewall Resort State Park in Roanoke in September. Brett McMillion, director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, says the annual event promotes hunting and fishing traditions in the Mountain State and has become a … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice has announced the allocation of funds for 61 outdoor recreation projects across West Virginia, banking on recreation efforts in 34 counties, including nearly 700 miles of new or enhanced outdoor recreation trails. Justice said the awards leverage state, federal, and local funds and represent nearly $19 million of outdoor … Read more
TWIN FALLS STATE PARK, W.Va. — Registration has opened for the “Becoming An Outdoors Woman” spring workshop at Twin Falls Resort State Park on May 3–5, 2024. According to Ashley Anderson, coordinator for the program managed by the W.Va. Divison of Natural Resources, the event allows women to explore hunting, fishing, and other outdoor-related activities … Read more
