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.
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
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
