A study by researchers at West Virginia University found a greater-than-expected significance in the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes for women who spend more time sitting compared to those who include even light activity in their daily routines.

WVU study shows pregnant women who move more have fewer adverse outcomes

Health and Medicine June 2, 2026

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As West Virginia experiences a cultural and economic shift toward increased recreation, researchers at West Virginia University have discovered even better news about active living. A study by researchers at the university in Morgantown found a greater-than-expected association between increased sitting time and adverse pregnancy outcomes—including gestational diabetes and preeclampsia—among women who sit ...

National Trails Day encourages people of all ages to get outdoors, connect with their community, and become trail stewards.

West Virginia state parks celebrate National Trails Day with hikes, volunteer events

State Parks, Forests June 1, 2026

Demand for the 2026 vacation guide is shattering previous records, with requests pacing 92% ahead of requests for the 2025 guide.

W.Va. tourism grows as 2026 Vacation Guide demand reaches record levels

Travel / Transportation June 1, 2026

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

Travel / Transportation May 31, 2026

Historian William Jones at Pence Springs

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

History / Prehistory May 30, 2026

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

State Parks, Forests May 27, 2026

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

Culture May 26, 2026

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Travel / Transportation

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

State Parks, Forests

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

Health and Medicine

WVU study shows pregnant women who move more have fewer adverse outcomes

State Parks, Forests

West Virginia state parks celebrate National Trails Day with hikes, volunteer events

Travel / Transportation

W.Va. tourism grows as 2026 Vacation Guide demand reaches record levels

History / Prehistory

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

Communities

This may look like a 1980s Pizza Hut, but it’s a vacation rental in West Virginia

Attractions

West Virginia state parks celebrate National Trails Day with hikes, volunteer events

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

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

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

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

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

Communities

WVU study shows pregnant women who move more have fewer adverse outcomes

W.Va. tourism grows as 2026 Vacation Guide demand reaches record levels

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

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

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

Applications open for West Virginia First small business growth program

Culture

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

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

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

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

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

Few may recall 1779 Pauley massacre fought in the shadow of East River Mountain

Neerly House Mystery: "Said he heard it," the boy said of Dotson. "Something that seemed to be dragging itself along and grunting every few minutes."

The house that vanished overnight: West Virginia’s Neerly House haunting

West Virginia officials urge life jacket use during national boating safety week

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

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

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

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

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

Buckhannon teen Rohr catches record-breaking golden rainbow trout

History and Prehistory

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

Few may recall 1779 Pauley massacre fought in the shadow of East River Mountain

Archaeologists have been visiting the walls on Armstrong Mountain since at least the 1970s when the last survey was conducted.

Ancient stone walls on Armstrong Mountain are no old-timer’s tale

According to some accounts, an extraordinary and clandestine encounter may have unfolded on the evening of June 5, 1861, inside the covered bridge at Philippi.

Did Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis secretly meet in West Virginia?

Here are the top 10 winter snows that shaped West Virginia history

Frank James entered a West Virginia bank in 1872 — and left without robbing it

Lore and Legend

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

The house that vanished overnight: West Virginia’s Neerly House haunting

David Sibray visits the Ebenezer Church (est. 1880) beyond the Low Gap at the head of Skull Run.

The horrors of Skull Run recounted by late West Virginia historian

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

Giant skeletons and buried copper plates—a strange Marion County folktale

Colonel Ludington’s legendary giant ox was real, and it weighed 4,450 pounds

Quiet West Virginia village of Clayton named for 1835 hot-air balloon crash

State Parks

West Virginia state parks celebrate National Trails Day with hikes, volunteer events

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

Tourists on bicycles visit the Elk River Trail Visitor Center.

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

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

Seasonal jobs at West Virginia state parks are also often a first step into a career in natural resources.

West Virginia state parks seek seasonal employees for summer 2026

West Virginia State Parks Foundation launches online merchandise store

Hunting

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

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

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

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

Mountaineer Heritage Season opens, reviving a West Virginia hunting tradition

Bumper nut, acorn crop and disease reduced West Virginia buck harvest in 2025

Fishing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

West Virginia state parks to ring in 2026 with 24 First Day hikes across the state

Three powerful reasons to hike West Virginia when the temperature drops

Hikers walk the boardwalk on the Alum Cave Trail at Audra State Park.

West Virginia trail advocacy organization to hold statewide meetings this fall

Secret waterfall on New River Gorge Hiking Trails

Naturalists share their favorite lesser-known New River Gorge hiking trails

Hikers on biodiversity trail system at Buffalo, West Virginia

Nature’s classroom in the Kanawha Valley: A vibrant trail system blossoms in Buffalo

Strange single-leafed orchid sprouts in winter woodlands in West Virginia

Skiing

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

White Grass cross-country skiing elevates winter in Canaan Valley, West Virginia

Resort officials reported four to five inches of overnight snowfall, providing skiers and snowboarders with unusually high-quality conditions for opening day. (Photo courtesy Snowshoe Mountain Resort)

Snowshoe Mountain opens 2025–26 ski season with fresh snow, free lift tickets

Three of four West Virginia alpine ski areas to open this week

Canaan Valley resort announces $6 million upgrade ahead of winter season

Five reasons why your family should visit West Virginia this winter

Snowshoe Mountain replacing iconic Shavers Center with modern lodge

National Parks

Lost village of “Lilly” hides in national park lands in West Virginia

More than two million visitors spent more than $100 million in the counties surrounding those parks, representing a nearly 12 percent increase compared to 2023.

Tourism surge in southern West Virginia yields more than $108 million for local economy

Oral history recordings now available on New River Gorge national park website

Park Service releases finding on demos of historic structures in New River Gorge

Sandstone Falls emerges as a must-see destination in the New River Gorge

A hidden parkway travels beneath the New River Gorge Bridge in W.Va.

Kayaking

Horsepower restrictions removed on five small lakes in West Virginia

Kayakers On The Ohio River in West Virginia

Despite river traffic, the scenic Ohio can be a safe kayaking destination

Ohio River refuge islands in W.Va. increasingly attract kayakers

Kayaking On Guyandotte River in West Virginia

Guyandotte River float, regatta scheduled for June 24

Members of the Trash-Your-Kayak Cleanup Crew paddle at a launch on a West Virginia stream.

Kayakers battling to clean littered West Virginia streams

W.Va. flatwater trail commission set to build connections

Whitewater Rafting

New River Gorge resort in W.Va. shares industry trends in diversity

Whitewater Rafting In The New River Gorge in West Virginia

National Geographic names rafting New River Gorge top 2024 experience

Sunset In The New River Gorge in West Virginia

Resort re-introduces sunset rafting trips in the New River Gorge

Kayaker on Deckers Creek, Morgantown, West Virginia, Monongalia County, Monongahela Valley Region

Making sense of whitewater rapid classifications

A raft launches into the Gauley River during an exciting excursion with River Expeditions.

Cool autumn weather could super-charge Gauley River rafting

Gauley River whitewater rafting season begins Sept. 6

Biking

Gravel, bikepacking network connects towns across Monongahela National Forest region

Biking At Cacapon Resort State Park in West Virginia

Officials unveil largest mountain bike trail project in W.Va. history

Tracy Toler and his daughter bike a forest trail in southern West Virginia.

West Virginia an ideal statewide destination for mountain biking

The International Mountain Bicycling Association announced the newest recipient of its Ride Center designation—the Snowshoe Highlands Ride Center in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Snowshoe Highlands Ride Center unveiled today by IMBA

A mountain biker explores trails at the Summit Bechtel Scout Reserve near the New River Gorge.

World-class trails at scout reserve now open to mountain bikers

New Parkersburg-area trail designed for intermediate level bikers

More Recent Posts

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

Health and Medicine May 23, 2026

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The scenic country roads for which West Virginia is beloved can become much less welcoming as our eyes age, especially when conditions such as fog and winding mountain highways come into play. Changing weather and lighting can make life even more difficult for people with eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, macular … Read more

Monongahela National Forest seeks conservation proposals in five West Virginia counties

National Forests 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, a program designed to compensate counties that contain large amounts of federally owned land exempt from local … Read more

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

Festivals / Events 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 10,000 visitors and participants each year. The free, public event features live music and dance events, storytelling … Read more

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

Natural Wonders May 21, 2026

SENECA ROCKS, W.Va. — As summer approaches, residents of the historic village below Seneca Rocks brace for an influx of tourists that grows larger every year. At Harper’s Old Country Store, they field a steady stream of questions from travelers drawn to the otherworldly landscape. “How high are the rocks?” “How hard is the hike … Read more

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

National Forests May 20, 2026

ELKINS, W.Va. — Recreational trails are a major part of West Virginia’s tourism economy, especially in the rugged landscape of the Monongahela National Forest, where thousands of hikers and mountain bikers explore its scenic backcountry each year. To strengthen tourism and improve trail conditions in the forest’s northern region, a new partnership has been formed … Read more

Few may recall 1779 Pauley massacre fought in the shadow of East River Mountain

History / Prehistory May 20, 2026

OAKVALE, W.Va.— Motorists traveling along US 460 east of Autumn at Brush Creek Falls in Mercer County near the Bluestone National Scenic River.[/caption] The incident, remembered as the Pauley Massacre, was among many deadly clashes that marked the struggle for control of the Appalachian backcountry during the Revolutionary War era. Much of the conflict pitted … Read more

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