West Virginia uniquely prepared to dominate 21st-century outdoor economy
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia is uniquely prepared to dominate in the 21st-century outdoor economy of the U.S., thanks to its unmatched potential for outdoor recreation, says a spokesman for The Nature Conservancy. The state is attracting new residents in record numbers as a result of its…
Most Popular Stories
West Virginia Travel Safety: What it means for residents and visitors in 2026
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Travel safety in West Virginia is shaped less by headline-grabbing crime and more by geography, weather, and the realities of…
Did Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis secretly meet in West Virginia?
PHILIPPI, W.Va. — Did Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis secretly meet in what is now West Virginia just days after the first land battle of the…
Study finds WVU and its health system account for 17% of West Virginia’s economy
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia University and the WVU Health System together generate $14.3 billion in annual economic impact in West Virginia,…
Hot This Week
Spring arrives by sound and bloom in the hills of West Virginia
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — In West Virginia, spring doesn’t begin on a single date. It begins with a sound. On mild late-winter evenings, a high,…
Why weather in the Allegheny Mountains is so different from the rest of West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginians like to say, “If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.” In the Allegheny Mountains, that old line turns…
Here are the top 10 winter snows that shaped West Virginia history
BECKLEY, W.Va. — West Virginia can be a snowy place. Though not nearly as snowy as Maine or Alaska, it does snow for much of winter, and winter…
Once controversial, Mountaineer war memorial hides at the West Virginia capitol
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Motorists driving along Kanawha Boulevard past the West Virginia Capitol may notice three Civil War monuments prominently arrayed along the lawn. One is of a Union soldier wearing a cap, or kepi, of the kind associated with that uniform. Next is a…
Tourism surge in southern West Virginia yields more than $108 million for local economy
GLEN JEAN, W.Va. — A newly released report from the National Park Service shows that visitation and spending in the three southern West Virginia national park units delivered a significant economic boost in 2024. The data indicate that 2,080,330 visitors spent…
Stargazing cabins open at Coopers Rock State Forest near Morgantown
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia officials today announced the opening of the first five stargazing cabins at Coopers Rock State Forest, adding a new way for visitors to stay overnight and experience one of the state’s most popular outdoor destinations. Dillard…
Chief Logan State Park in West Virginia debuts a fully accessible playground
LOGAN, W.Va. — Chief Logan State Park has unveiled a new, fully ADA-accessible playground, offering children of all abilities a welcoming space for play and recreation. Designed for children ages 2 to 12, the playground features a rock-and-rope climbing unit, a…
Scenic tram at Pipestem Resort State Park in West Virginia reopens
PIPESTEM, W.Va. — After two years of construction, a new aerial tram at Pipestem Resort State Park has reopened. At a ribbon-cutting at the top of the tram at Pipestem, Brett McMillion, director of the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources, said the project marked a…
Oral history recordings now available on New River Gorge national park website
GLEN JEAN, W.Va. — Officials at the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia have announced the publication of a collection of oral history recordings of residents and others with knowledge of the park and region are now available for listening and…
West Virginia haunted by the ghosts of the Teays River and other ancient streams
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia is haunted by the ghosts of rivers that no longer exist. They writhe like snakes through its mountains, nearly invisible to the unaware. Geologist William G. Tight first theorized the existence of what’s now perhaps the…
The story behind the breathtaking Glade Creek Grist Mill at Babcock State Park
CLIFFTOP, W.Va. — At first glance, the Glade Creek Grist Mill at Babcock State Park in West Virginia looks as though it has stood for centuries, its wooden frame weathered to the color of old hickory, its water wheel turning with the steady rhythm of the creek….
Beloved Camp Kootaga scouting landmark in W.Va. saved for generations to come
PARKERSBURG, W.Va. — For more than a century, Camp Kootaga stood as a summer sanctuary for generations of scouts, a place where leadership, outdoor skills, and camaraderie were passed down along the wooded bluffs of the Hughes River. Now, thanks to a determined group…
Breathtaking Dolly Sods wilderness attracts throngs to West Virginia’s high country
LANEVILLE, W.Va. — At more than 4,000 feet above sea level, the Dolly Sods Wilderness in West Virginia has become one of the most recognizable outdoor recreation destinations in the Appalachian Mountains. Once considered remote and difficult to reach, the completion…
Improved access opens legendary “Devil Anse” Hatfield cemetery to more visitors
SARAH ANN, W.Va. — A new entrance to a historic Hatfield Cemetery in southern West Virginia is making it easier for visitors to pay respects at the graves of William Anderson “Devil Anse” Hatfield and his family, a key site for Appalachian history enthusiasts. Once a…
Work visibly begins on historic Tyree Tavern restoration near New River Gorge
ANSTED, W.Va. — The restoration of the Tyree Tavern, a historic landmark near the New River Gorge in southern West Virginia, is now visibly underway in advance of its transition to a museum. The architectural team employed to manage the restoration, technically termed…
W.Va. a top state for inbound moves as Americans seek affordability, outdoor living
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia is emerging as one of the nation’s top destinations for inbound moves, according to new data from United Van Lines, underscoring a broader shift toward smaller states, outdoor access, and affordable living. United Van Lines, in its…
Charleston, West Virginia, celebrates record-breaking year in tourism
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s reputation as a destination for sports tourism was on full display in Charleston in 2025 when major athletic events brought visitors, national attention, and millions of dollars in economic impact to the region. From cycling…
These five sports are rapidly growing in West Virginia communities
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Sports in West Virginia will always include Friday-night football, high school basketball, and hunting and fishing, but the landscape is changing. A handful of “next wave” sports are gaining players quickly. Proponents say that’s because they…
How to keep poinsettias healthy through the holidays—and for years to come
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — With their vivid colors and deep holiday roots, poinsettias remain one of the most recognizable plants of the season in West Virginia. Keeping them healthy through the holidays—and even for many years—is easier than many people think. Sven…
West Virginia Tourism wins gold Adrian award for ‘Screen-Free Summer’ campaign
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Department of Tourism has earned international recognition for its consumer branding efforts, receiving a Gold Adrian Award from the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International for its “Screen-Free Summer” campaign….
WVU to host 4-H code camp for middle and high school at Jackson’s Mill
WESTON, W.Va. — Middle and high school students from across West Virginia will get a hands-on look at the technology shaping their lives when West Virginia University Extension hosts its annual 4-H Code Camp from Feb. 20–22, 2026, at WVU Jackson’s Mill. The weekend…
WVU reports 10-year high in applications as graduation, retention rates climb
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia University is seeing its most substantial application numbers in a decade, alongside steady gains in student retention and graduation rates, signaling momentum as the flagship institution prepares for commencement and the next…
W.Va. medical school leads in training doctors who serve rural communities
LEWISBURG, W.Va. — A small medical school located in the mountains of southern West Virginia is quietly becoming one of the state’s most effective tools for addressing physician shortages in rural America, according to a new statewide report on health sciences…
Data centers collide with West Virginia’s new profitable remote-work, recreation brand
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia has spent the past decade successfully selling itself as a place where people can trade traffic for trailheads. Now, a different kind of growth is knocking at its door—one that gives power back to outside interests: industrial-scale…
WVU experts say layering, not bulky clothing, keeps you warmer in winter
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As temperatures drop across West Virginia, many people are pulling wool long johns from storage or shopping for high-tech thermal gear designed to keep winter at bay. But West Virginia University fashion and merchandising experts in Morgantown say…
West Virginia confirms new avian influenza in backyard flock in Jackson County
RIPLEY, W.Va. — State officials have confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in a backyard flock in Jackson County. However, it’s only the third detection in domestic birds in West Virginia since the global outbreak began in early 2022. The…
WVU revives Woodburn Hall lighting, illuminating legacy of higher ed in West Virginia
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As dusk settles over the Monongahela River valley on December 2, a crowd of students, faculty, alumni, and families will gather at a place where West Virginia University began, where the institution’s history, architecture, and spirit converge….
Fayetteville Creates turns town into a living arts studio for the New River Gorge
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — This winter, the small mountain town of Fayetteville, perched at the edge of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, will swap its usual crowd of rock climbers and whitewater paddlers for a different kind of adventurer—artists. In January…
The legend of the Vegetable Man: How a bloodsucking alien left its mark on West Virginia
FAIRMONT, W.Va. — A lesser-known encounter with an extraordinary Mountain State cryptid is still capturing the imagination of West Virginians a half century later. On a warm July day in 1968, in the hills near Grant Town, West Virginia, Jennings Frederick was hunting…
Professors at WVU trace Halloween through ancient, cross-cultural traditions
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — From cauldrons to candy corn, favorite Halloween traditions in the U.S. have been brewing for thousands of years, according to two West Virginia University religious scholars. Aaron Gale and Alex Snow, associate professors of religious studies in…
Account claims lost Swift silver mine delved near Big Sandy River in West Virginia
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — One of the most appealing of all Appalachian legends is that of the tale of the Lost Silver Mine of Johnathan Swift. More than 200 years after the alleged events in this story transpired, treasure hunters continue to search for the vein of silver…
Shenandoah folk song: tracing the origins and meaning of a beloved American ballad
HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. — It’s fair to say that almost anyone who has listened to or read the history of American folk songs is familiar with the haunting melody and words of the “Shenandoah” folk song. “Oh, Shenandoah, I long to see you, Roll away, you rolling river Oh,…
Arts gathering will spotlight creative revitalization Oct. 24-26 in Princeton
PRINCETON, W.Va. — Artists, educators, and community leaders from across West Virginia will converge in Princeton’s Grassroots District from Oct. 24–26 for the Create Your State Convening, a three-day program focused on how the arts can drive economic and social…
How an obscure, mysterious writer in West Virginia invented UFO lore as we know it
RIFFLE, W.Va.— The blockbuster Men in Black film franchise might seem a world away from the hills of West Virginia, but the legend starts here in a quiet corner of the Mountain State where an obscure and mysterious writer sat pecking away on his typewriter. Gray…
Mysterious Wetzel County worm invasion wreaked havoc in West Virginia in 1918
LITTLETON, W.Va. — In the summer of 1918, a procession of billions of ravenous “worms” passed through the hills of eastern Wetzel County, spreading disorder wherever it traveled. Some who saw it claim to have been attacked in the march. Others claimed to…
Polemic Run, West Virginia: A roadside journey hidden off the expressway
BIRCH RIVER, W.Va. — Each day, more than 10,000 motorists speed past the turn-offs onto Polemic Run Road in central West Virginia, but few leave the expressway and wander into the wooded hills to the west. Those who do gain access to a world few others see. The…
Investigator: West Virginia ground-zero for UFO research, ET encounters
GREEN BANK, W.Va. — A renowned paranormal investigator says West Virginia has a remarkable association with UFO activity because of its role in the search for extraterrestrial life and because it was the location of many early alleged UFO encounters. Dave Spinks,…
The five most haunted towns in West Virginia, wild and wonderful?
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Which are the five most haunted towns in West Virginia? That’s hard to say, such things being difficult to pin down. (We encourage readers to add their favorite haunted towns in the comments at the end of the article.) By and large, West…
Prehistoric West Virginia was never a so-called “uninhabited” hunting ground
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — When I moved to West Virginia in 2013, just out of grad school and anxious to learn more about the local archaeology, it didn’t take long to be introduced to the idea that West Virginia was too rugged and remote for Native Americans to live here…
West Virginia releases its 2025 hunting outlook and mast survey report
ELKINS, W.Va. — Officials at the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources announced today that hunters preparing for fall seasons may now consult the 2025 West Virginia Hunting Outlook and Mast Survey. The report and survey detail the abundance of wild fruits and…
Five reasons why your family should visit West Virginia this winter
CANAAN VALLEY, W.Va. – During a time of year when snuggling under a blanket seems more reasonable than going outside, West Virginia offers a range of winter activities that promise to turn the cold into memorable experiences. From winter sports to charming towns to…
West Virginia trail advocacy organization to hold statewide meetings this fall
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Trail advocates and trail-building organizations from across West Virginia are being asked to voice their opinions on building and maintaining the Mountain State’s recreational trails this fall in a series of statewide meetings. Sam England,…
West Virginia shifts future meeting time for natural resources to boost public access
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Officials at the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources have announced that future meetings of the state’s natural resources commission will begin at 6 p.m. to make it easier for the public to participate. The decision follows the…
West Virginia creates special access roads for hunters with disabilities
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia officials are reminding hunters with disabilities that special access roads in national forests and state-owned wildlife management areas are open specifically to them. Brett McMillion, director of the W.Va. Division of Natural…
West Virginia reminds hunters about upcoming youth seasons, changes to regulations
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With the first slate of youth hunting seasons set to open in September, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources reminded hunters that the minimum age restriction for youth seasons has been removed. Brett McMillion, director of the division,…
West Virginia sets new migratory game bird seasons and 2025-2026 regulations
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia has set new season dates and new regulations for the 2025-2026 migratory game bird hunting seasons, which open Sept. 1, in accordance with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s annual guidelines. Brett McMillion, director of the W.Va….
Naturalists share their favorite lesser-known New River Gorge hiking trails
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — On a soft summer morning in the New River Gorge, the forest comes to life with quiet mystery. Rhododendron branches arch into shadowed tunnels, salamanders dart across mossy rocks, and the distant rush of waterfalls blends with birdsong that…
Early bear firearms season opens August 30 in four southern West Virginia counties
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — An early bear firearms season will open August 30, 2025, in Logan, McDowell, Mingo, and Wyoming counties in south-western West Virginia, according to the director of the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources. Early bear firearms season benefits busy…
Nature’s classroom in the Kanawha Valley: A vibrant trail system blossoms in Buffalo
BUFFALO, W.Va. — Among the fields and wetlands of the lower Kanawha Valley in West Virginia, a green haven for biodiversity has taken root and become one of the most ecologically vibrant and educationally rich trail systems in the state. A 2.75-mile network of walking…
Apply now for W.Va. deer hunt lottery during 2025 antlerless season
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources is now accepting applications for its 2025 deer hunt lotteries. Hunters interested in harvesting antlerless deer in limited permit areas are encouraged to apply online before the September 5 midnight…
W.Va. adds five new ‘Almost Heaven’ swings for perfect photo moments
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…
Recent Posts
Did Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis secretly meet in West Virginia?
PHILIPPI, W.Va. — Did Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis secretly meet in what is now West Virginia just days after the first land battle of the Civil War? It is a question that’s lingered for more than a century and a half, whispered in local lore, debated by…
Study finds WVU and its health system account for 17% of West Virginia’s economy
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia University and the WVU Health System together generate $14.3 billion in annual economic impact in West Virginia, accounting for approximately 17% of the state’s gross domestic product, according to a newly released independent study….
Black bear harvest remained steady in West Virginia in 2025 as predicted
Spring arrives by sound and bloom in the hills of West Virginia
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — In West Virginia, spring doesn’t begin on a single date. It begins with a sound. On mild late-winter evenings, a high, piping chorus rises from ponds, wetlands, and roadside ditches across central Appalachia. These are spring peepers—tiny…