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.
WILLIAMSTOWN, W.Va. — As interest in kayaking on the Ohio River in West Virginia increases, officials advise paddlers to be especially attentive to safety. While the river may seem a sleepy reprieve in good weather, paddlers should be aware of barge traffic and inclement weather, according to Michael Schramm, visitor services manager for the Ohio … Read more
WILLIAMSTOWN, W.Va. — More than 20 virtually forgotten islands in the Ohio River in West Virginia are increasingly attracting kayakers drawn by the opportunity to explore one of the nation’s evolving wildlife refuges. Amid a landscape pulled from the pages of a Mark Twain novel, the islands, shorelines, and underwater habitat protected as part of … Read more
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — Whitewater rafting in the New River Gorge in West Virginia has been named one of National Geographic magazine’s “Best of the World” Top 20 Travel Experiences for 2024. The internationally acclaimed publication selected whitewater rafting in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve as one of the world’s top wonders to … Read more
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — While West Virginia has gained worldwide fame as a destination for hiking, some hikers say winter is one of the best times to hike it, whether or not there’s snow on the ground. With its most popular trails free of crowds, hikers can enjoy solitude in winter and witness an environment far … Read more
SLATYFORK, W.Va. — Snowshoe Mountain in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia has been ranked among the most affordable ski resorts in the U.S. by The Discoverer. In addition to its affordability, according to travel writer Aimee Long, the resort boasts a stunning drop, spectacular scenery, and many challenging trails. “While West Virginia isn’t … Read more
LANSING, W.Va. — The Endless Wall Trail has again been ranked one of the best hiking trails in the U.S., though officials with the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve say hikers can expect crowds and may wish to consider alternate trails. Following an article in The Discoverer, park ranger Dave Bieri concurred that … Read more
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — Hiking in West Virginia in winter can prove a transcendent experience. Nothing compares to a stroll through a wonderland of snow and frozen waterfalls. Even in low-lying valleys where snow seldom lingers, a walk through the sleeping landscape can be life-changing. Winter hiking in West Virginia also presents its own set of … Read more
GALLIPOLIS FERRY, W.Va. — For the fourth year in a row, the West Virginia state record for the largest blue catfish by weight has been broken. According to the W.Va. Division of National Resources, Michael John Drake of Saint Albans, West Virginia, caught and released a blue catfish that weighed 69.45 pounds and measured 50.51 … Read more
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — December hunting season for deer and bear in West Virginia is underway, according to officials at the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources. Hikers, bikers, hunters, and other explorers of the outdoors in West Virginia are reminded to wear blaze orange when wandering forests through the remainder of 2023. Hunters are required … Read more
SINKS GROVE, W.Va. — Unknown to many residents of the Greenbrier Valley in southern West Virginia, a six-mile crack in the surface of the earth has been hiding beneath their feet. Visible only from the air, the “Monitor Lineament” is one of the strangest landforms in this scenic landscape of bluegrass pastures, vanishing brooks, and … Read more
