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.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The W.Va. Department of Tourism has added five new Almost Heaven swings to the Mountain State at Drawdy Falls in Boone County, Miracle Mountain in McDowell County, 4-H Camp Pioneer in Randolph County, Big Ditch Lake in Webster County, and at the Tater Hill Overlook in Wyoming County. According to state Tourism … Read more
SLATYFORK, W.Va. — Construction is nearing completion on top of Snowshoe Mountain in eastern West Virginia, where a new ski lodge is replacing its long-standing and familiar Shavers Center, which served guests for nearly five decades. Designed to offer a more spacious and comfortable experience, the new ski services facility will feature an open interior … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s state park system is partnering with a national nonprofit to help make golf more affordable at courses at Pipestem, Twin Falls, and Cacapon state parks. Acting Chief of Parks Dillard Price said the agreement will provide visiting youth discounts, and rounds can be booked by walk-in or by calling the … Read more
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS. W.Va. — A vast underground bunker lay hidden for decades in the mountains beneath one of America’s most luxurious resorts, built in secret to shelter the U.S. Congress in the event of nuclear disaster. It was among the world’s most closely guarded secrets for 30 years, although it’s now open to the public, … Read more
LEWISBURG, W.Va. — One of the strangest tales to come out of Greenbrier County in West Virginia may be the legend of the Sinking Creek caverns. Little information exists outside of one harrowing account, reprinted here, but that account characterizes the largely uncharted world extending over more than 80 miles just beneath the valley’s surface. … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Record-breaking fish seem to have become the new normal in West Virginia, and state officials say there are several reasons for the uptick, which is not likely to end soon. David I. Wellman, Jr., assistant chief of fish management for the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources, says anglers are landing giants with … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Free Fishing Days will return June 7-8, allowing anglers and their families to fish for free in public lakes, streams, and rivers in West Virginia. Brett McMillion, director of the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources, said the annual event has helped anglers pass on the practice to new generations. “One of the … Read more
ALUM CREEK, W.Va. — Officials with the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will host a public meeting on Tuesday, May 20, to review and receive feedback on options proposed for developing the Forks-of-Coal State Natural Area. At the confluence of the Little Coal and Big Coal rivers south of Charleston, West Virginia, on the … Read more
HINTON, W.Va. — One of the best waterfall trails in West Virginia is also great for spring wildflowers, though hikers should be prepared for rocky terrain and three stream crossings. The two-mile Big Branch Trail in the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve wanders through a wonderland of waterfalls, including 30-foot Big Branch Falls. … Read more
BURNING SPRINGS, W.Va. — Practically inaccessible for years, one of the state’s legendary rock formations is attracting the attention of hikers and other intrepid sightseers. Though the journey to the “Devil’s Tea Table” may require visitors to climb a steep slope and drive a vehicle that can ford small streams, the payoff is rewarding, and … Read more
