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Recreation

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.

David Sibray Examines Single Leafed Orchid in West Virginia

Recreation

Strange single-leafed orchid sprouts in winter woodlands in West Virginia

November 17, 2024 by Clyde Craig

FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — Only the most sharp-eyed outdoor enthusiasts may have spotted this remarkable one-leafed orchid hiding in the West Virginia woodlands in winter. While most plants gather sunlight in the warm months, this remarkable denizen of the forest floor produces its single papery leaf in winter after the canopy of leaves drops. The unusual … Read more

Recreation

West Virginia stocks monstrous trophy-sized trout in 44 lakes, streams

November 7, 2024 by Will Reedy

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources stocked 44 lakes and streams with trout in late October, and anglers who take some of them are eligible for prizes. More than 35,000 pounds of trophy-size trout and 6,500 pounds of monster trout (100 of which were tagged) were stocked in advance of its … Read more

A popular section of The Talon winds along flanks of the New River Gorge near Hawks Nest.

Recreation

New River Gorge national park boosts popularity of W.Va. motorsports route

November 4, 2024 by Joe Farruggia

GAULEY BRIDGE, W.Va. — The global attention that one of America’s newest national parks has garnered is boosting interest in The Talon, an exceptional new motorsports route in southern West Virginia. The 18-mile stretch of two-lane US-60 that skirts the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is growing fast as a favorite route for … Read more

Hunters walk in a West Virginia woodland

Recreation

Small game hunting, trapping seasons in West Virginia open Nov. 2, 2024

October 23, 2024 by Will Reedy

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Hunting and trapping seasons for several small game and fur-bearing species in West Virginia will open on November 2, 2024. Brett McMillion, director of the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources, says the season represents the state’s diverse outdoor adventure. “West Virginia has a hunting season for everyone, and our trapping opportunities … Read more

Recreation

W.Va. officials urge participation in early antlerless deer season

October 16, 2024 by David Sibray

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia officials are urging hunters to participate in the state’s 2024 early antlerless deer firearms season, which will open Oct. 24–27. The early season is vital to the health of the state’s high deer population, says Brett McMillion, director of the W.Va. Department of Natural Resources. “In addition to giving hunters … Read more

2024 First Snowfall At Snowshoe Mountain

Recreation

Snowshoe Mountain ski resort to open 50th season Nov. 27, 2024

October 16, 2024 by David Sibray

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

Recreation

W.Va. Gov. celebrates expanded access to Endless Wall hiking trail

October 15, 2024 by David Sibray

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

Recreation

W.Va. announces fall trout stockings and return of Monster Trout Contest

October 10, 2024 by David Sibray

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

Hiker On Allegheny Trail in West Virginia

Recreation

Pocahontas County to celebrate 50th anniversary of Allegheny Trail

August 27, 2024 by Clyde Craig

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

Biking At Cacapon Resort State Park in West Virginia

Recreation

Officials unveil largest mountain bike trail project in W.Va. history

August 2, 2024 by David Sibray

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

Road closures to affect access to Cranberry and Williams River recreation areas

Ancient river once flowed across West Virginia before vanishing during the Ice Age

Tomlinson Run preserves unusual Appalachian forest rarely found in Northern Panhandle

The West Virginia waterfall that stops travelers in their tracks

Charleston’s drinking water depends on thousands of small mountain streams

WVU researchers developing plasma tech that could improve computer chips, spacecraft and fusion energy

New outdoor expo to highlight West Virginia’s growing adventure tourism industry

Most visitors to the New River Gorge see only a small part of the river that carved it

The story behind Wheeling’s Mingo statue is more complicated than most people realize

Who was Anne Bailey? The frontier heroine of early West Virginia

Horses return to historic Pence Springs Resort before Alderson Fourth Of July celebration

Why the West Virginia hot dog is unlike any other in America

More New River Gorge hikers are leaving Endless Wall for the Grandview Rim Trail

New Peters Mountain Trail System takes shape in Monongahela National Forest near Franklin

Interior Department opens review of rock climbing policies affecting New River Gorge

Bowden Fish Hatchery to host free Youth Fishing Derby during W.Va. Free Fishing Days

Recreation

Strange single-leafed orchid sprouts in winter woodlands in West Virginia

West Virginia stocks monstrous trophy-sized trout in 44 lakes, streams

New River Gorge national park boosts popularity of W.Va. motorsports route

Small game hunting, trapping seasons in West Virginia open Nov. 2, 2024

W.Va. officials urge participation in early antlerless deer season

Snowshoe Mountain ski resort to open 50th season Nov. 27, 2024

W.Va. Gov. celebrates expanded access to Endless Wall hiking trail

W.Va. announces fall trout stockings and return of Monster Trout Contest

Pocahontas County to celebrate 50th anniversary of Allegheny Trail

Officials unveil largest mountain bike trail project in W.Va. history