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W.Va. Tourism announces 2026 History Heroes award winners

Larvae of the New World Screwworm fly burrow into the flesh of living animals, causing serious, often deadly damage. (USDA Image)

Agriculture

W.Va. agriculture officials monitoring screwworm after first U.S. detection

Clyde Craig June 8, 2026

Mike Fink grave in Calhoun County marks the site of a deadly 1780 frontier encounter between a pioneer hunter and a Native warrior.

History / Prehistory

Mike Fink grave marks site of deadly frontier encounter in Calhoun County

Discover 10 free things to do in West Virginia this summer, including waterfalls, rail trails, scenic overlooks, historic towns, and family adventures.

Travel / Transportation

10 free things to do in West Virginia with family this summer

With its three rivers, Summers County became a popular fishing getaway during Miners' Vacation in the 1950s.

Festivals / Events

Historical society celebrates history of W.Va. Miners’ Vacation with fish fry fundraiser

Communities

Research supports the idea that destinations benefit when businesses remain open during peak visitor periods.

West Virginia experts say tourist towns lose money when businesses close on Sundays

David Sibray May 31, 2026

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As West Virginia communities increasingly invest in tourism and outdoor recreation, industry leaders say many destinations are missing opportunities to capture visitor spending when businesses close during weekends, particularly on Sundays. Tourism professionals across the

Nursing students gather at the West Virginia Simulation Training and Education for Patient Safety (STEPS) Center.

WVU School of Nursing to host to free day camp for high school students

Bianca Bosworth May 24, 2026

MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — The West Virginia University School of Nursing will host its fourth annual day camp on Saturday, June 6, for high school students who are interested in exploring nursing as a career. During the free

Vision impairment: changing weather and lighting can make life even more difficult for people with eye diseases, says a West Virginia University professor.

Vision impairment can be manageable, says a West Virginia University professor

May 23, 2026

The program creates incentives for private investment funds and financial institutions to direct capital into qualified small business growth.

Applications open for West Virginia First small business growth program

May 19, 2026

Each spring, officials field calls about young wildlife that may appear abandoned but in most cases are behaving as they should in the wild.

Biologists in West Virginia warn the public to leave young wildlife alone

May 18, 2026

Officials say spring and early summer are periods of increased bear activity as bears emerge from winter dens, search for food, and move through the habitat with cubs.

Bear activity increasing in national parks in W.Va. as officials urge visitors be ‘Bear Aware’

May 16, 2026

Attractions

A new “Almost Heaven” swing has been added at Cedar Creek State Park in central West Virginia

Iconic “Almost Heaven” swing added to Cedar Creek State Park in central West Virginia

David Sibray May 27, 2026

GLENVILLE, W.Va. — An “Almost Heaven” swing has been installed at Cedar Creek State Park in central West Virginia, the latest of more than 60 such iconic swings that are attracting tourists who are fascinated by the idea

Forest projects have included stream restoration, erosion control, invasive plant removal, native tree planting, wildlife habitat improvements, and trail or road maintenance.

Monongahela National Forest seeks conservation proposals in five West Virginia counties

Clyde Craig May 22, 2026

ELKINS, W.Va. — The W.Va. Resource Advisory Committee is seeking proposals for conservation and infrastructure projects that benefit the Monongahela National Forest and surrounding communities. Funding is provided through the federal Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act,

Seneca Rocks, one of the most recognized landmarks in the Appalachians, is greeting new crowds.

Seneca Rocks draws excited new crowds to West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest

May 21, 2026

A new partnership is working to improve and maintain more than 500 miles of trail in the northern region of the Monongahela National Forest.

Partnership to enhance more than 500 miles of Monongahela National Forest trails

May 20, 2026

Tourists on bicycles visit the Elk River Trail Visitor Center.

Visitor center opens as Elk River Trail extends toward West Virginia capital city, Charleston

May 17, 2026

Rocket Boys: the ceremony is one of several activities being hosted across the West Virginia state parks system as part of National Kids-to-Parks Day.

Rocket Boys event at Pipestem headlines kids’ day at seven W.Va. state parks

May 15, 2026

Recreation

Fisheries experts say the upward trend in fishing records is the result of several factors, including better stocking and water quality improvement.

Here’s why fishing records are being broken more often now in West Virginia

Will Reedy May 25, 2026

PETERSBURG, W.Va. — West Virginia anglers are breaking fishing records with unusual frequency, a trend fisheries experts say reflects years of better fish stocking, improved water quality, and the maturation of trophy-sized fish populations. So far in the

The Mourning Dove is one of the most abundant and widespread North American birds and a popular gamebird.

South Branch ends mourning dove permits; controlled hunt begin at Stonewall Jackson

Will Reedy May 11, 2026

ROMNEY, W.Va. — Mourning dove hunters no longer need to apply for a limited permit to hunt at the South Branch Wildlife Management Area in Hardy and Hampshire counties. They will now be able to hunt doves in

John Terry, of Gallagher, in Kanawha County, set a new state record for tiger trout on March 19 by catching a 29.13-inch, 11.04-pound tiger trout from Seneca Lake in Pocahontas County.

John Terry catches record-breaking tiger trout in lake at Seneca State Forest

David Sibray May 10, 2026

MARLINTON, W.Va. — John Terry, of Gallagher, in Kanawha County, set a new state record for tiger trout on March 19 by catching a 29.13-inch, 11.04-pound tiger trout from Seneca Lake in Pocahontas County. The trophy catch surpasses

One of the largest networks on the East Coast, the routes activate thousands of miles of gravel roads across the Mon Forest for visitors and communities. (Photo: Getty Images)

Gravel, bikepacking network connects towns across Monongahela National Forest region

May 7, 2026

Motorboats with engines larger than 10 horsepower are now permitted to operate at no-wake speed on Elk Fork, North Bend, O’Brien, Stonecoal, and Woodrum lakes.

Horsepower restrictions removed on five small lakes in West Virginia

May 6, 2026

Hunter Rohr, 15, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, has caught a golden rainbow trout that set state records for length and weight.

Buckhannon teen Rohr catches record-breaking golden rainbow trout

May 3, 2026

Matt Born of Reedsville, West Virginia, has caught a new state record chain pickerel.

Reedsville man catches state record chain pickerel in Preston County pond

May 3, 2026

Black bears: The 2025 black bear harvest fell just ten bears short of the 2024 total of 2,479.

Black bear harvest remained steady in West Virginia in 2025 as predicted

January 26, 2026

Big Buck Photo Contest: Hunter Miller of Advent, W.Va. with a buck he harvested on Nov. 24, 2025, in Jackson County.

West Virginia announces winners of 2025 West Virginia Big Buck Photo Contest

January 23, 2026

West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Show: The three-day event showcases leading outdoor brands, outfitters, and conservation organizations, and has become one of the state’s largest gatherings focused on hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation.

W.Va. DNR to sponsor West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Show in Charleston

January 16, 2026

Trout stocking: Hatchery crews stocked trout in 46 lakes and streams across West Virginia during the week of Jan. 5.

West Virginia trout stocking Jan. 5: biologists stock 46 waters statewide

January 12, 2026

Mountaineer Heritage Season opens, reviving a West Virginia hunting tradition

January 9, 2026

Culture

Historian William Jones at Pence Springs

Hidden healing spring on historic Pence Springs resort grounds draws new interest

David Sibray May 30, 2026

PENCE SPRINGS, W.Va. — Historians in West Virginia’s Greenbrier Valley are searching for answers about a little-known healing spring hidden on the grounds of the famed Pence Springs Hotel, a once-renowned mineral resort now on the market. While

David Sibray visits Pickle Street on U.S. Route 33 along Leading Creek in Lewis County, West Virginia.

Origin of the name “Pickle Street” remains a central West Virginia mystery

David Sibray May 26, 2026

PICKLE STREET, W.Va. — Of all the odd community names in West Virginia, “Pickle Street” may rank among the oddest. Why this hamlet in Lewis County bears the name “pickle” is as much a mystery as why it

Musicians gather freely at the Vandalia Gathering in Charleston, West Virginia.

49th annual Vandalia Gathering celebrates old-time and bluegrass music at state capital

David Sibray May 22, 2026

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Now in its 49th year, the Vandalia Gathering—West Virginia’s signature celebration of folk music, arts, and heritage—returns May 22–25 to the grounds of the state capitol in Charleston. The free, public event attracts more than

A party of travelers bound for the Cumberland Gap in 1779 were scalped and captured in what is remembered as the Pauley Massacre.

Lore and Legend

Solomon Spaulding claimed to have uncovered ancient plates along Prickett's Creek in Marion County, West Virginia.

Real Estate

History and Prehistory

Frank James, the older brother of Jesse James quietly rode into Princeton, West Virginia, and walked straight into the Bank of Princeton—not to rob it, but to study it.

State Parks

Hunting

Fishing

A rite of winter in West Virginia, trout stockings have resumed in select lakes and streams. (Photo courtesy W.Va. Dept. of Commerce)

Hiking

Held at 21 state parks and forests across West Virginia, the First Day hikes are part of a nationwide New Year’s Day tradition designed to promote outdoor recreation.

Skiing

White Grass has long been a magnet for visitors from Columbus, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C. (Photo: Mountain River Media)

National Parks

Kayaking

Kayakers On The Ohio River in West Virginia

Whitewater Rafting

Biking

Latest News

The West Virginia Department of Tourism has announced its 2026 History Heroes Award recipients, honoring volunteers, preservationists, historians, genealogists, and museum leaders from communities across the Mountain State

History / Prehistory