Inaugural W.Va. Outdoor Economy Summit to unite leaders around $2.1 billion growth
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s outdoors are more than a scenic backdrop. They’re a strategic economic asset. That message will take center stage February 17–18, 2026, when leaders from across the state and region convene for the inaugural West Virginia Outdoor Economy Summit at the Charleston…
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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…
Inside West Virginia’s National Radio Quiet Zone, where scientists listen to the universe
GREEN BANK, W.Va. — The universe is a strange place. And it is never truly silent. Across the vast darkness it whispers, in radio waves older than…
Is it more cost-effective to restore or rebuild in West Virginia downtowns?
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As communities across West Virginia consider options for aging buildings, one key question keeps coming up: Is it more…
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Helvetia, West Virginia: Where Swiss tradition and Appalachian spirit defy time
HELVETIA, W.Va. — History will tell you the name Helvetia is derived from the Helvetii, a Celtic tribe that once peopled the region now known as…
West Virginia hosts outdoor economy summit as communities rethink economics
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — For many West Virginia communities, outdoor recreation is no longer a quality-of-life extra. It’s the new economic…
W.Va. DNR to sponsor West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Show in Charleston
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources will sponsor the annual West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Show, set for Jan. 23–25 at…
Tu-Endie-Wei in W.Va. added to Underground Railroad network
POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — Tu-Endie-Wei State Park has been added to a national Underground Railroad program to honor the role of the Shawnee in protecting enslaved people who escaped to freedom in their territory in the late 1700s. Though the Shawnee could not legally…
New trail connects off-road trail system with Chief Logan park lodge
LOGAN, W.Va. — A new 4.6-mile trail connecting Chief Logan State Park and the Hatfield-McCoy Trails system has opened in southern West Virginia. This new trail connects to the system’s Bearwallow Trail with the lodge at Chief Logan State Park, allowing riders to…
Economic impacts nearly double at Harpers Ferry park over a decade
HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. — Economic impacts have nearly doubled in communities surrounding Harpers Ferry National Historical Park over the last decade, according to the National Park Service. Park superintendent Tanya Gossett said that in 2023, more than 427,300 visitors…
Spending near national parks in southern W.Va. jumps by 9 percent
GLEN JEAN, W.Va. – The National Park Service reports that in 2023, more than 1,900,000 visitors spent 96.5 million dollars in communities near the three national park areas in southern West Virginia. Their spending supported 1,268 jobs in the area and had a cumulative…
Towering Champe Rocks named for would-be captor of Benedict Arnold
HOPEVILLE, W.Va. — Champe Rocks in Pendleton County might seem a world away from the battlegrounds of the American Revolution, but by chance, they are tied to the history of Benedict Arnold, among the nation’s best-known traitors. George Washington trusted…
Lost River, Cass Scenic Railroad state parks to see major expansions
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Lost River State Park and Cass Scenic Railroad State Park will enjoy nearly $13 million in expansions to be completed in 2025. According to Gov. Jim Justice, the projects are part of West Virginia’s ongoing investments to enhance outdoor…
Coalfields “castle” in W.Va. sells to investor planning tourism center
ITMANN, W.Va. — The historic Itmann Company Store complex in southern West Virginia has been purchased by a Texas investor who says he’ll work with state and local officials to develop the landmark. Gary Drabek, of Houston, Tex., closed on the property today in…
Islands in the Ohio River in West Virginia are a Noah’s Ark for wildlife
WILLIAMSTOWN, W.Va. — Hidden in plain sight, the islands in the Ohio River in West Virginia are a Noah’s Ark for wildlife that has managed to escape development elsewhere. As the Ohio River became cleaner in the 1980s, thanks to legislation like the Clean Water…
Historic spring, cabin undetected near busy W.Va. expressway interchange
BECKLEY, W.Va. — A stone’s throw from one of the busiest traffic centers in West Virginia, a spring house and one-room cabin are all that remains of a farm that was long a favorite stop for 19th-century travelers. Now, its owners are working to preserve the…
Mysterious Ferguson’s Rock feature of historic road through Beckley, W.Va.
BECKLEY, W.Va. — Questions may always surround a mysterious boulder found 200 years ago in southern West Virginia inscribed with the characters “S. Ferguson F. County 1814.” (The numeral “4” is chiseled in reverse.) Ferguson’s Rock has…
Historic mill at Morgantown, W.Va., attracting visitors in summer
EASTON, W.Va. — Hidden in a small wooded valley within the busy municipality of Morgantown, West Virginia, the historic steam-powered Easton Roller Mill roars to life on summer Sundays, attracting the attention of all who enjoy gears and pulleys. The mill, which…
Oil spilled from W.Va.’s largest well traveled 100 miles to Ohio River
COPLEY, W.Va. — In a quiet meadow along the upper reaches of the Sand Fork of the Little Kanawha River, it’s hard to imagine that there was ever more hustle and bustle than the crow of a rooster. The village of Copley today is a quiet place, but, as with much of…
This scenic West Virginia county enjoys three full months of fall foliage color
HINTON, W.Va. — Halfway along the Appalachian range from north to south, West Virginia enjoys one of the longest and most colorful fall foliage seasons in the U.S. But, as a result of its geography, one West Virginia county in particular boasts what may be the longest…
Here’s what artificial intelligence says about the future of West Virginia
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — We asked artificial intelligence to plot a roadmap for the future of West Virginia. How can residents prosper? How can the maximum number of West Virginians lead rewarding lives? Here’s what AI had to say. West Virginia’s path to prosperity…
Mills Group to breathe new life into historic courthouse in Martinsburg, West Virginia
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Two of the most recognizable landmarks in historic downtown Martinsburg are about to get a second life, thanks to one of the state’s best-known architectural and preservation design firms. The former Berkeley County Courthouse at 100 West…
Embracing the rich bounty of the West Virginia fall harvest
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia fall harvest is particularly meaningful for state natives. As the crisp air of late summer settles over the Appalachian hills, the agricultural landscape of West Virginia comes alive with a tapestry of colors and flavors. From the…
Filmmaker says here’s why everyone should visit this West Virginia ghost town
THURMOND, W.Va. — Deep in the New River Gorge, the town of Thurmond is attracting attention worldwide. With four full-time residents, it’s technically a ghost town, but filmmaker Jillian Howell insists there’s nothing lifeless about it. “Every brick in Thurmond…
Charleston, West Virginia, joins program attracting remote workers with $20K incentives
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Remote workers looking for a new home with equal parts city energy and mountain calm will find it in West Virginia’s capital. Ascend West Virginia—the nation’s leading talent attraction and retention program—announced that Charleston, West…
West Virginia on track for brilliant fall foliage; new autumn map published
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Autumn has arrived in West Virginia, and state officials say the Mountain State is gearing up for one of its most colorful fall foliage seasons in years. The W.Va. Department of Tourism, in partnership with the W.Va. Division of Forestry, released…
West Virginia woodland for sale on Barker’s Creek offers mountain serenity
MULLENS, W.Va. — Nestled deep within the wooded hollows of West Virginia, where trout streams meander through rhododendron and ridgelines roll like waves, a 33-acre parcel of land quietly epitomizes the region’s past. Here, on a gentle rise overlooking the clear…
West Virginia Explorer celebrates record 3.3 million monthly users amid 25th anniversary
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia Explorer, the state’s most comprehensive online guide to travel, history, and culture, is celebrating a major milestone. According to Google Analytics, the publication hosted more than 3.3 million users in August, marking one of the…
Retro commercial realty for sale near Hatfield-McCoy ATV trails in West Virginia
PINEVILLE, W.Va. — Once a gathering place for miners and families on the Guyandotte River, a vintage curb-service restaurant, service station, and boarding house is attracting the attention of ATV entrepreneurs looking to offer tourists an authentic experience. The…
West Virginia monitoring seasonal hemorrhagic disease in deer populations
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Cases of hemorrhagic disease in deer have been confirmed in Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, and Wood counties in West Virginia, officials with the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources announced. According to Brett McMillion, director of the division,…
Elk management tours announced for 2026 season in Logan County, West Virginia
LOGAN, W.Va. — Now that the majestic elk has been returned to the mountains of West Virginia (the last known native elk in the state was killed in 1875), tours of the management area for the herds are becoming more popular than ever. Officials at the West Virginia…
Jackson’s Mill Jubilee set to crown best homemade pie in West Virginia
WESTON, W.Va. — Nothing speaks to West Virginia tradition quite like a homemade pie, and this year’s jubilee at Jackson’s Mill is serving up plenty of homestyle flavor with its much-anticipated annual pie contest. Scheduled for Saturday, August 30, 2025, near Weston,…
The eastern panhandle of West Virginia: how it came to be
SHEPHERDSTOWN, W.Va. — The eastern panhandle of West Virginia reaches more than 100 miles across the eastern U.S. from the quiet springs of the Potomac River in central West Virginia to the urban edge of Washington, D.C. How did this oddity come to be? More than…
Unique northern panhandle of West Virginia created by historic dispute
WEIRTON, W.Va — West Virginia’s remarkable shape is partly defined by its odd northern panhandle, a finger of land that extends northward more than 60 miles from the central region of the state. The early history of the northern panhandle of West Virginia Home…
August in West Virginia: When mountain customs come home
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — August in West Virginia is a time of celebration. Its hills and hollows awaken to a season steeped in rituals of music, harvest, craft, and community. Old‑time Mountaineers historically marked August as a time of summer’s end and a season of…
Historic West Virginia heat waves and how the state can recover its coolness
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — While known for its forests and cool mountain air, West Virginia has nonetheless endured its share of blistering summer heat. The following is an overview of its most significant heat waves and an examination of how West Virginia can benefit…
West Virginia to host first-ever Spartan Trifecta World Championship in the U.S.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia will make history in 2025 when it becomes the first U.S. location to host the Spartan Trifecta World Championship, a world-renowned endurance event that challenges elite athletes and weekend warriors alike. The two-day event will take…
From Jerry West to Best Virginia, basketball in West Virginia is a unifying force
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Mountain State is a land stitched together by rugged mountains, close-knit towns, and a complicated economic past. Yet for generations, one thread has consistently united its people—basketball in West Virginia. The legacy of Jerry West and…
The five worst floods in West Virginia history: A Chronicle of Disaster
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Shaped by rugged mountains and winding rivers, West Virginia has endured some of the most catastrophic floods in American history. Its five worst floods—measured by lives lost, destruction caused, and lasting impact—include the Buffalo Creek…
Appalachia’s haunted highway: legends of West Virginia Turnpike ghosts
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Completed in 1954, the West Virginia Turnpike, twisting like a ribbon through 88 miles of the Appalachian Mountains, is not just a feat of 20th-century engineering; it’s one of the most important interstate corridors in the eastern U.S. And…
From Greenbrier Valley to global fame, the defiant jazz legacy of Ada “Bricktop” Smith
ALDERSON, W.Va. — Perhaps few people could have predicted that one of the most electrifying figures of the Jazz Age would emerge in a quiet valley in West Virginia, a seeming world away from the glitz and glamor of Paris and New York City. But that’s exactly what…
100 Years of Tradition: Celebrating the centennial of the State Fair of West Virginia
FAIRLEA, W.Va. — The State Fair of West Virginia is celebrating its 100th anniversary, and proponents say there’s never been a better time to attend the August 7-16 celebration. From humble agricultural roots to an entertainment-packed event that draws more than…
Remarkable encounter: John Brown’s final moments witnessed by Stonewall Jackson
CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — On December 1, 1859, abolitionist John Brown, having been convicted and sentenced to death for planning and executing an uprising in Harpers Ferry, Virginia, delivered a final statement to his jailer that he wished to be shared with the public:…
Expert New River Gorge hiker shares her four favorite national park trails
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…
Stonewall Jackson park to host Hunting and Fishing Day celebration
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…
Governor helps fund 61 outdoor recreation projects in West Virginia
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…
Registration open for “Becoming an Outdoors Woman” spring workshop
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…
Despite river traffic, the scenic Ohio can be a safe kayaking destination
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…
Ohio River refuge islands in W.Va. increasingly attract kayakers
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…
National Geographic names rafting New River Gorge top 2024 experience
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…
Five reasons West Virginia is an ultimate winter hiking destination
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…
Snowshoe Mountain in W.Va. ranks among most affordable ski resorts
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…
Endless Wall Trail named Best Hike in West Virginia by magazine
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…
Six tips for hiking through the West Virginia forest in winter weather
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…
Record West Virginia blue catfish broken fourth year in a row
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…
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Helvetia, West Virginia: Where Swiss tradition and Appalachian spirit defy time
HELVETIA, W.Va. — History will tell you the name Helvetia is derived from the Helvetii, a Celtic tribe that once peopled the region now known as Switzerland. But here in the mountains of West Virginia, where fact and folklore mingle, Helvetia simply means…
West Virginia hosts outdoor economy summit as communities rethink economics
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — For many West Virginia communities, outdoor recreation is no longer a quality-of-life extra. It’s the new economic infrastructure that’s attracting private investment, supporting small businesses, and helping retain and attract a…
W.Va. DNR to sponsor West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Show in Charleston
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources will sponsor the annual West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Show, set for Jan. 23–25 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center, bringing thousands of hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts to the…
West Virginia Pepperoni Roll Museum to open this spring in Fayetteville
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — One of the most iconic foods in West Virginia is getting its own permanent home. Rachel Adkins, best known locally as a short-term rental host, announced plans to open the West Virginia Pepperoni Roll Museum in Fayetteville this spring. The small…