Flood risk outpaces warnings, advocates say, as W.Va. considers changes to resiliency fund
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As the W.Va. House of Delegates considers changes to Senate Bill 390, the West Virginia Rivers Coalition warns that the state risks narrowing its flood strategy at a time when disasters are becoming more frequent, more costly, and more destructive. The organization points to a…
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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,…
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…
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West Virginia winter cold weather tips: WVU experts share ways to stay active
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As late winter settles in across West Virginia, mountaineers are entering the coldest stretch of the year—a time when snow,…
Travel and outdoor insurance matter for backcountry adventures in West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia backcountry is having a moment. From high ridgelines and spruce forests to deep river gorges and winter…
West Virginia announces winners of 2025 West Virginia Big Buck Photo Contest
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources announced the winners of the 2025 West Virginia Big Buck Photo Contest during the…
Forgotten Drawdy Falls in West Virginia inspiring new generation to care
PEYTONA, W.Va. — Drawdy Falls, one of the most scenic and accessible waterfalls in West Virginia, is attracting a huge amount of attention after a generation of neglect. In fact, the restoration of the falls and the redevelopment of a surrounding park may herald…
At tip of W.Va.’s northern panhandle, “Point of Beginning” marks start of the West
EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio — Some say that the American West begins at West Virginia— specifically at the tip of its northern panhandle—and there’s a quantifiable reason to support that claim. Somewhere beneath the Ohio River, on what was the river’s north bank…
The 10 best swimming holes in West Virginia for ideal summer escapes
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Whether you’re chasing cool, crystal-clear waters or hidden natural pools tucked into lush forest valleys, these publicly accessible swimming holes in West Virginia offer the perfect summer escape. Keep in mind that there are hundreds across…
Park Service releases finding on demos of historic structures in New River Gorge
GLEN JEAN, W.Va. — The National Park Service has announced a decision and the release of a “finding of no significant impact” for the proposed demolition of historic structures in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia. The…
Natural wonder reopens: legendary Wind Caves will soon welcome tourists
ELIZABETH, W.Va. — One of the best-kept secrets in West Virginia, the legendary Wind Caves near Parkersburg may soon open to the public for the first time in more than a century. In a scenic bend of the Hughes River, the caves have long been accessible only to…
Discover West Virginia waterfalls with one of its chief photographers
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia waterfalls are attracting the attention of nature lovers with increasing frequency. With more cascades than almost any other state east of the Mississippi, the Mountain State is a top destination for those looking to explore…
Sandstone Falls emerges as a must-see destination in the New River Gorge
SANDSTONE, W.Va. — Sandstone Falls, one of the most spectacular features of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, is rapidly gaining popularity among visitors venturing into West Virginia, offering a rare combination of natural wonder, accessibility, and…
West Virginia’s Farm-to-Table dinner series returns with scenic feasts, local flavor
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The highly anticipated Farm-to-Table Dinner Series to be hosted at 10 West Virginia state parks in 2025 will celebrate local flavors, scenic settings, and unforgettable dining experiences. Guests are invited to enjoy curated menus crafted with…
Fading memories of a wartime powerhouse: South Charleston’s ordnance plant
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Rising behind a series of pleasant neighborhoods, one of the largest manufacturing complexes in West Virginia seems to hide in the landscape of the Kanawha Valley. Now known as the South Charleston Industrial Park, a collection of six massive…
Biggest Yet! Warwood becomes West Virginia’s largest historic district
WHEELING, W.Va. — In a landmark moment for historic preservation, the Warwood Historic District in northern Wheeling has officially become the largest area in West Virginia ever nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. This condensed, working-class…
Weird W.Va. wonder “Ice Mountain” open to tours by arrangement
NORTH RIVER MILLS, W.Va.— One of West Virginia’s most fascinating natural wonders, Ice Mountain, where winter ice lingers in crevices until summer, is now open to guided hikes year-round. Long a puzzle to scientists who were determined to discover how its…
Coopers Rock State Forest in W.Va. doubles number of campsites
BRUCETON MILLS, W.Va. — Twenty-five new campsites have been opened at Coopers Rock State Forest near Morgantown, West Virginia, doubling the number of sites on the 12,747-acre park renowned for its views of the Cheat River canyon. According to Brett McMillion,…
WVU Professor: After three years, ChatGPT has become a coworker—not a boss
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As ChatGPT turns three, a West Virginia University professor says the artificial intelligence platform has evolved from a curiosity to a trusted coworker that’s reshaping how people work, learn, and communicate at a pace few anticipated. Joshua…
Big win for historic preservation in battle at quaint Middleway, West Virginia
CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — In what has been called a win for historic preservation in West Virginia, a Jefferson County judge on Monday upheld the county planning commission’s rejection of Sidewinder Enterprises’ proposal to build a water bottling plant and pipeline in the…
West Virginia tourism office launches “Almost Heaven” brand licensing program
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The W.Va. Department of Tourism has launched an Almost Heaven brand licensing program—an initiative officials say will give businesses new opportunities to tap into one of the state’s most recognizable marketing campaigns. The program will permit…
How long does the autumn leaf change last in West Virginia?
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Although October is quickly coming to a close, trees across West Virginia continue their dazzling transformation into shades of gold, amber, and garnet, a show that will last into early November. Cool nights and bright sunshine have stretched this…
Don’t ignore the winter blues: Seasonal affective disorder is a serious form of depression
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As the days grow shorter and sunlight becomes scarce, a West Virginia University clinical psychologist is reminding people not to dismiss the “winter blues.” Seasonal affective disorder, or “SAD,” affects millions of Americans each year…
West Virginia historic preservation grants open for 2026 applications
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia is now accepting applications for economic development grants to support and maintain historic properties, particularly those in historic districts across the state. Funded through the National Park Service, the funds are appropriated…
The Pumpkin—a West Virginia tradition steeped in lore
FLAT TOP, W.Va. — With the exception of corn, perhaps no vegetable is as all-American as the pumpkin. Carved as a Jack-O’-Lantern or pureed into a Thanksgiving pastry, the pumpkin—and the pumpkin pie—are as American as, um, well, apple pie. In many ways,…
Here are 20 things that make wild, wonderful West Virginia famous
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — From the peaks of the Allegheny Mountains to the forested chasm of the New River Gorge, West Virginia is a destination built on adventure, heritage, and heart. It offers everything from small-town charm to rugged outdoor escapes—all within a…
West Virginia University insect tracker says light pollution threatens rare fireflies
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — While rare “synchronous fireflies” are becoming a tourist attraction across Appalachia, a West Virginia University researcher is reminding visitors to enjoy the spectacle responsibly and without disrupting the insects’ delicate mating rituals….
West Virginia University expert shares tips to keep fall mums blooming longer
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The brilliant colors of chrysanthemums, or mums, signal the arrival of fall across West Virginia. But without the right care, these seasonal favorites can quickly dry out and fade before the season’s end, according to a West Virginia University…
Peak fall color in West Virginia: the science and spectacle of Appalachian autumn
DAVIS, W.Va. — When the first sharp chill settles over the Allegheny highlands and the red spruce stands take on a bronze cast, peak fall color in West Virginia begins its slow, spectacular climb down the mountains. Across the Mountain State’s rugged ridges and deep…
Three West Virginia resorts ranked among best in U.S. by Condé Nast Traveler
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Top travel destinations in West Virginia are once again receiving national recognition, with three of the state’s premier resorts named to Condé Nast Traveler’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards. The Greenbrier, Stonewall Resort, and Snowshoe Mountain…
Charles Town grave marks the last resting place of restless John Yeats Beall
CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — In the Zion Episcopal churchyard in Charles Town, West Virginia, lies the grave of John Yates Beall, one of the state’s most audacious Confederate partisans. Beall was born in Jefferson County, Virginia, in 1835, and grew up in a wealthy, slave…
The Confederacy’s last major offensive in West Virginia: the Battle of Bulltown
BULLTOWN, W.Va. — On a quiet October morning in 1863—the year Abraham Lincoln declared slaves free—the hills above the Little Kanawha River erupted in gunfire. Col. William L. “Mudwall” Jackson and his troops launched what they hoped would be a decisive strike against…
Forgotten grave of priest sheds light on West Virginia’s religious past
GLEN DALE, W.Va. — Lone graves aren’t rare in West Virginia. Many pioneers and settlers perished in its mountains, far from friends and family. However, one burial stands out as a remarkable and mysterious example. The grave of an unknown priest on a ridge high…
The tale of West Virginia’s Shades-of-Death Creek may have biblical origin
MAPLEWOOD, W.Va. — How did “Shades-of-Death Creek” in southern West Virginia gain such a strange name? The mystery has long been a subject of speculation in the highlands east of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Such a clear and beautiful…
Here’s how West Virginia has contributed to American Country Music
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — On a typical Saturday night in the 1930s, when coal dust and church bells marked the rhythm of daily life, radios across the Ohio Valley crackled with music that echoes like the hills themselves. The signal came from WWVA in Wheeling, a small but…
A West Virginia hike with a haunting: Twin Falls trail honors Polk Hollow legend
SAULSVILLE, W.Va. — While reports of the Polk Hollow Monster haven’t reached the frequency they had in the 1970s and ’80s, there’s no doubt in the minds of a few locals that something haunts the vicinity of the hollow in Twin Falls Resort State Park….
Kettle & Copper Community: The apple-butter tradition that simmers in West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In the cool clarity of an autumn morning in West Virginia, a ring of people gather around a blackened copper kettle hung over an open fire. Steam rises in slow, fragrant clouds of cinnamon, clove, and baked apple. A long wooden paddle stirs a…
How a violent West Virginia textbook battle helped redefine U.S. education
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In the spring of 1974, an unassuming school board meeting in Kanawha County ignited a tempest that would engulf classrooms, coal mines, homes, and headlines in a bitter clash over textbooks and values. It was no ordinary curriculum dispute. It…
West Virginia paranormal trail expands to include a theater, tavern, and cavern
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Officials at the West Virginia Department of Tourism have announced the expansion of the West Virginia Paranormal Trail with four new haunting locales. Twenty-one paranormal sites are now part of the trail, according to Chelsea Ruby, cabinet…
Legend of a lost silver lode in Jackson County, West Virginia, might be more than lore
RAVENSWOOD, W.Va. — Legends of a lost silver lode in Jackson County, in western West Virginia, may hold more truth than rumor—at least according to a former resident who claims not only to have uncovered historical evidence but also a silver nugget of his own. “I’ve…
The U.S state that almost was: How West Virginia nearly became “Kanawha”
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — When you think of West Virginia, the name might conjure up images of mountains, forests, and waterfalls—wild and wonderful—a place apart from Virginia, its larger neighbor to the east. But the name West Virginia was not inevitable. In fact, in the…
The forgotten grave of the Pickens leper: isolation in the West Virginia mountains
PICKENS, W.Va. — In a remote section of the Allegheny Mountains of northern West Virginia lies a solitary grave, marked only by two weathered stones. It belongs to an immigrant who died in isolation, far from his homeland. His story opens a haunting window into a…
Snowshoe Mountain replacing iconic Shavers Center with modern lodge
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…
Parks partner with nonprofit to make golf more affordable for W.Va. youth
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…
Secret bunker in W.Va. built to hide Congress in event of nuclear war
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…
Did a settler survive lost in caverns beneath W.Va.’s Greenbrier Valley?
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…
Family-friendly Free Fishing Days in West Virginia to return June 7-8
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…
W.Va. officials expect more record-breaking fish amid growing trend
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….
W.Va. asking public for input on Forks-of-Coal State Natural Area
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…
Experience a dozen waterfalls on this two-mile West Virginia trail
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…
Formerly inaccessible rock formation in West Virginia rediscovered
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…
West Virginia officials predict big President’s Day skiing weekend
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia ski resorts are experiencing one of their best seasons in over a decade, with exceptional conditions expected for President’s Day weekend (Feb. 15-17), according to state officials. Tom Wagner, president of the West Virginia Ski Areas…
W.Va. sets final segment of 2024-’25 wild boar archery, firearms seasons
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The final segment of West Virginia’s 2024-2025 residents-only firearms and archery-and-crossbow seasons for wild boar will be open in Boone, Logan, Raleigh, and Wyoming counties Feb. 7–9. Brett McMillion, director of the W.Va. Division of…
Strange phenomena at Canaan Valley in W.Va. creates unique “snow bowl”
CORTLAND, W.Va. — High in the Allegheny Mountains in eastern West Virginia lies a scenic valley which a Canadian-like climate in which it can snow 10 months out of the year. Though only two hours from the Washington beltway, the Canaan Valley receives more snow than…
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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 from a joke into a forecasting rule. From Preston and Tucker counties south through Webster and Greenbrier and into the…
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 storms have shaped its culture. This is especially so in the lofty Allegheny Mountains, where most of its ski resorts are…
West Virginia winter cold weather tips: WVU experts share ways to stay active
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As late winter settles in across West Virginia, mountaineers are entering the coldest stretch of the year—a time when snow, limited daylight, and frigid temperatures can take a toll on mental and physical health. However, experts at West Virginia…
Travel and outdoor insurance matter for backcountry adventures in West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia backcountry is having a moment. From high ridgelines and spruce forests to deep river gorges and winter slopes, the Mountain State has become a magnet for travelers who want something wilder than a roadside overlook. These…