Gallery: West Virginia by Rick Burgess - West Virginia Explorer

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Photographer Rick Burgess has been documenting West Virginia through photography since the 1970s. His work has long been considered among the most evocative ever produced, especially with regard to landscapes.

Farm on Jordan Run Road, Grant County, Rick Burgess, Potomac Branches Region — Farm on Jordan Run Road

Fog, North Fork of the Potomac River, Rick Burgess, Potomac Branches Region — Fog in South Branch Valleys

New River from Beauty Mountain by Rick Burgess, Fayette County, New River Gorge Region — Mountain barriers such as the New River Gorge helped preserve West Virginia speech patterns. (Photo: Rick Burgess)

Drawdy Creek Falls near Peytona, WV, Boone County, Hatfield & McCoy Region — Drawdy Creek Falls

Driven snow, White Grass, Allegheny Highlands Region — Driven Snow, Canaan Valley

Restored pioneer farm at Twin Falls Resort State Park, Wyoming County, Hatfield & McCoy Region — A gravel road winds toward a restored farmhouse at Twin Falls State Park. Photo courtesy Rick Burgess.

Blackwater River, Canaan Valley, Allegheny Highlands Region — Blackwater River in Winter

Red Creek in the Dolly Sods Wilderness, Tucker County, Allegheny Highlands Region. — View from Table Rock

Hemlock roots at Blackwater Falls State Park — Snowy boulders beneath hemlock

Kayakers in the New RIver Gorge. Rivers, New River Gorge Region — Kayakers in the New RIver Gorge

Spires on North Fork Mountain, West Virginia Crag, Pendleton County, Potomac Branches Region — Spires on North Fork Mountain

Patterson Creek Mountain from Bear Rocks Preserve, Dolly Sods Wilderness, Potomac Branches Region — Patterson Creek Mountain

Potomac River below Hilltop House Hotel, Jefferson County, Eastern Panhandle Region — Potomac below Hilltop House

Harpers Ferry, West Virginia — Hikers take in the view of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia from Maryland Heights. Photo by Rick Burgess

Vista at Kumbrabow State Forest, State Forests, Allegheny Highlands Region — Mountain view from Kumbrabow

Douglas Falls on Blackwater Fork — Douglas Falls on Blackwater

Ice at Dolly Sods Wilderness, Monongahela National Forest, Allegheny Highlands Region — Dolly Sods Wilderness on Ice

Champe Rocks near Seneca Rocks, Grant County, Potomac Branches Region — Champe Rocks, near Seneca Rocks, are named for a hero of the American revolution. Photo courtesy Rick Burgess.

Looking south along North Fork Mountain — Crest of North Fork Mountain

Seneca Rocks from Smith Mountain, Pendleton County, Potomac Branches Region, Natural Wonders — Seneca Rocks from Smith Mountain

Afternoon at Dolly Sods Wilderness, Monongahela National Forest, National Parks — Late afternoon at Dolly Sods

Canaan Valley State Park, Canaan Valley, Allegheny Highlands Region — Canaan Valley from Bald Knob

Canaan Valley Highway, Tucker County, Allegheny Highlands Region — Highway WV-32 courses across the southern Canaan Valley near Canaan Valley Resort State Park in Tucker County in Allegheny Highlands Region. Photo by Rick Burgess

Barn in Canaan Valley, Allegheny Highlands Region — Barn in Canaan Valley

Cabin on Blackwater River, Canaan Valley, Allegheny Highlands Region — Cabin on Blackwater River

September view at Dolly Sods Wilderness, Tucker County, Allegheny Highlands Region — September view from Dolly Sods

Sunrise at Bear Rocks Preserve, Dolly Sods Wilderness, Allegheny Mountains Region — Sunrise at Bear Rocks Preserve

Cabin in the Canaan Valley, Tucker County, Allegheny Highlands Region — Cabins can make for incredibly romantic getaways and great rendezvous points, but snow can make it difficult to travel.

Ice at Blackwater Falls, Blackwater Falls State Park, Davis, WV, Allegheny Highlands Region — Blackwater Falls in Winter

Misty morn in Mineral County near Keyser, WV, Potomac Branches Region — Misty morn in Mineral County

Farmland in Pocahontas County, Allegheny Highlands Region — Pocahontas County Farm

Back Fork of Elk River, Elk River, Webster County — Back Fork of Elk River

Wind turbines in Allegheny Highlands Region — Allegheny Wind Farm

Photographers on Whispering Spruce Trail, Monongahela National Forest, Allegheny Highlands Region — Not all regions in the Monongahela National Forest are as pristine as on Spruce Mountain (Photo: Rick Burgess)

West Virginia National Cemetery at Grafton, WV, Taylor County, Monongahela Valley Region — West Virginia National Cemetery

Tygart Valley River, Barbour County, Monongahela Valley Region — Tygart Valley River

Stretcher Neck on New River, New River Gorge Nation River, New River Gorge Region — Stretcher Neck on New River

Boat in cove at Summersville Lake, Nicholas County, New River Gorge Region — Cove at Summersville Lake

Summersville Lake in spring, Summersville Lake Wildlife Management Area, Nicholas County — Summersville Lake in spring

Cliffs along Summerville Lake, Summersville Lake Climbing Area, Nicholas County, New River Gorge Region — Cliffs rise from Summerville Lake near Summersville, West Virginia, in Nicholas County. Photo by Rick Burgess

Spring along the Kanawha River, Charleston, WV, Kanawha County, Metro Valley Region — Spring along the Kanawha River

Snow in the Allegheny Mountains, Allegheny Highland Region — Snow in the Alleghenies

Snow at Seneca Rocks, Pendleton County, Potomac Branches Region — James Helmick became lost in the Alleghenies in 1885, and his harrowing tale is recounted here. Photo by Rick Burgess

Smoke Hole Countryside, West Virginia Regions, Monongahela National Forest, Potomac Branches Region — Smoke Hole Countryside

Anglers on Shavers Fork of Cheat River, Randolph County, Allegheny Highlands Region — Anglers on Shavers Fork

Paddlers on Shenandoah River, Eastern Panhandle Region — Paddlers on the Shenandoah, immortalized in "Take Me Home, Country Roads," to be adopted as an official West Virginia state song. Photo courtesy Rick Burgess

Inside the Sinks of Gandy, Randolph County, Allegheny Highlands Region — Inside the Sinks of Gandy

North Fork from Smith Mountain, Pendleton County, Potomac Branches Region — North Fork from Smith Mountain

Seneca Rocks from Pasture, Pendleton County, Potomac Branches Region — Seneca Rocks from Pasture

Blade at Seneca Rocks, Seneca Rocks Climbing Area, Monongahela National Forest, Potomac Branches Region — Blade at Seneca Rocks

Sandstone Falls from Chestnut Mountain, Summers County, New River Gorge Region — Sandstone Falls from WV-20

Saddle in New Creek Mountain, Mineral County, Potomac Branches Region — The saddle in New Creek Mountain appears in the distance from near Skyline, West Virginia. (Photo courtesy Rick Burgess)

Valley of the North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac River, Potomac Branches Region — North Fork Valley

Pendeleton County, Potomac Branches Region — The valleys of the Potomac River and its branches descend eastward to Chesapeake Bay. Photo by Rick Burgess

Autumn at Plum Orchard Lake Wildlife Management Area, Pax, WV, New River Gorge Region — Autumn at Plum Orchard

Barn in Raleigh County, New River Gorge Region — Barn in Raleigh County

North Fork of Blackwater River, Tucker County, Allegheny Highlands Region — North Fork of Blackwater

New River at Hawks Nest State Park, Ansted, WV, Fayette County, New River Gorge Region — New River at Hawks Nest

New River at Grandview, Raleigh County, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, New River Gorge Region — The New River courses toward its gorge below the Grandview overlooks in southern West Virginia. (Photo: Rick Burgess)

View from Nelson Rocks, Nelson Rocks Climbing Area. Pendleton County, Potomac Branches Region — View from Nelson Rocks

Backroad in Mercer County, Bluestone Region — Autumn leaves turn red and gold along a rural backroad in Mercer County. (Photo courtesy Rick Burgess)

Middle Falls of Hills Creek, Pocahontas County, Allegheny Highlands Region — Middle Falls of Hills Creek

Mill Creek near Ansted, WV, Fayette County, New River Gorge Region — Mill Creek near Ansted, WV

Sunset over the Monongahela Valley, Coopers Rock State Forest, Monongahela Valley Region — Monongahela Valley Evening

Fog at Kanawha Falls near Gauley Bridge, WV, Fayette County, New River Gorge Region — Fog at Kanawha Falls

Autumn at Lake Stephens, Raleigh County, New River Gorge Region — Autumn at Lake Stephens

Lower Falls of Hills Creek, Pocahontas County, Allegheny Highlands Region — Lower Falls of Hills Creek

Meadow River above Gauley River National Recreation Area, New River Gorge Region — Lower Meadow River

Snowfall in Jackson County, Mid-Ohio Valley Region — Snow blankets a dale in the lowlands horse-country in Jackson County near Ripley, West Virginia.

Horses in frost, Raleigh County, New River Gorge Region — Horses in Frost, Raleigh County

Upper Falls of Holly River, Holly River State Park, Webster County, Allegheny Highlands Region — Upper Falls of Holly River

Hokes Mill Covered Bridge, Greenbrier County, Greenbrier Valley Region — Hokes Mill Covered Bridge

West Virginia Hay Barn

Field along Highland Scenic Highway, Pocahontas County, Allegheny Highlands Region — Field on Highland Highway

Mended fence in highland pasture — Mended Fence

Hikers at Beauty Mountain, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, New River Gorge Region — Hikers at Beauty Mountain

Cliffs in Hacker Valley, Webster County, Allegheny Highlands Region — Cliffs overhang a mountain road in Webster County, which once declared itself a state. Photo courtesy Rick Burgess.

Grotto at Coonskin Park, Charleston, WV, Kanawha County, Metro Valley Region — Coonskin Fork tubles through at grotto at Coonskin Park at Charleston. (Photo courtesy Rick Burgess)

Autumn in Greenbrier County, Greenbrier Valley Region — Autumn arrives in Greenbrier County in September and lingers into early December. (Photo courtesy Rick Burgess)

Telescopes at Green Bank, WV, Pocahontas County, Allegheny Highlands Region — Telescopes at Green Bank

Pasture near Gandy Creek, Sinks of Gandy, WV, Randolph County, Allegheny Highlands Region — Gandy Creek Landscape

Allegheny Mountains from Germany Valley, Pendleton County, Potomac Branches Region — Allegheny Landscape

Snow on New River at Grandview, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, New River Gorge Region — Winter at Grandview

Landscape in Grant County, Potomac Branches Region — Landscape in Grant County

Photographer Dan Friend at Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, Monongahela National Forest, Allegheny Highlands Region — Dan Friend at Sods

Dock on Plum Orchard Lake, Plum Orchard Lake Wildlife Management Area, New River Gorge Region — Dock, Plum Orchard Lake

Eagle Rock at Smoke Hole, Pendleton County, Potomac Branches Region — Eagle Rock at Smoke Hole

Elk River at Queens Shoals, WV, Clay County, Heartland Region — Anglers cast into the Elk River on a spring morning above Queens Shoals in Clay County. Photo by Rick Burgess

Country Road, Fayette County, New River Gorge Region — Country Road, Fayette County

Summer at Coopers Rock, Coopers Rock State Forest, Monongalia County, Monongahela Valley Region — Summer at Coopers Rock

Autumn at Coopers Rock, Coopers Rock State Forest, Monongalia County, Monongahela Valley Region — Autumn at Coopers Rock

I-64 Bridge at Charleston, WV, Kanawha County, Metro Valley Region — The I-64 Bridge at Charleston is one of countless bridges in the West Virginia to be maintained. (Photo courtesy Rick Burgess)

Cheat River, Preston County, Allegheny Highlands Region — The Cheat River pools behind a rapid in its gorge in Preston County in the Allegheny Highlands Region. Photo by Rick Burgess

Chenoweth Home, Beverly, WV, Randolph County, Allegheny Highlands Region — Chenoweth Home, Beverly, WV

Coal River, Boone County, Hatfield & McCoy Region — Coal River

Charleston, West Virginia, Kanawha County, Metro Valley Region — West Virginia is top-of-mind for travelers, thanks to the Tourism Office. Photo courtesy Rick Burgess.

Cathedral Falls near Gauley Bridge, WV, Fayette County, New River Gorge Region — Cathedral Falls

Autumn at Cass, WV, Pocahontas County, Allegheny Highland Region — Autumn at Cass, WV

Canaan Valley slopes in summer, Canaan Valley Resort State Park, Allegheny Highlands Region — Canaan slopes in summer. Courtesy Rick Burgess

Campbell Falls at Camp Creek State Park, Mercer County, Bluestone Region — Autumn at Campbell Falls

Vista of Canaan Valley, Canaan Valley State Park, Tucker County, Allegheny Highlands — Vista of Canaan Valley

View from ski lift at Canaan Valley State Park, Tucker County, Allegheny Highlands Region — Canaan ski lift in summer. Photo by Rick Burgess

Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Allegheny Highlands Region — Wildlife refuge at Canaan Valley

Campbell Falls at Camp Creek State Park, Mercer County, Bluestone Region — Trout will be stocked in streams such as Camp Creek, at Camp Creek State Forest, through May 31. Photo Rick Burgess.

Cacapon River, Potomac Branches Region — Cacapon River

Autumn at Brush Creek Falls, Bluestone Region — Autumn at Brush Creek Falls

Winter at Bruceton Mills, WV, Preston County, Monongahela Valley Region — Why visit WV in winter? Winter at Bruceton Mills, West Virginia, in Preston County. Photo courtesy Rick Burgess.

Lindy Point, Blackwater Canyon, Tucker County, Allegheny Highlands Region — Lindy Point above Blackwater

Blackwater in Fog — Fog at Lindy Point

Autumn on Bluestone River, Bluestone National Scenic River, Bluestone Region — Autumn on Bluestone River

Morning in Braxton County, Heartland Region — Morning in Braxton County

Blackwater RIver Canyon, Tucker County, Allegheny Highlands Region — Blackwater RIver Canyon

McCoys Falls on Birch River, Webster County, Allegheny Highlands Region — McCoys Falls on Birch River

Hills Creek Pond

New River Gorge at Beauty Mountain, WV, Fayette County, New River Gorge Region — Greenery in the New River Gorge begins to fade into gold and orange in September. (Photo: Rick Burgess)

Bear Rocks Pink Morning, Dolly Sods Wilderness Area — Dawn glows pink above the mountains west of the Allegheny Front at Bear Rocks in the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area in the Allegheny Highlands Region. Photo by Rick Burgess

Nelson Rocks, West Virginia Climbing Areas, Potomac Branches Region — Nelson Rocks near Judy Gap

More about the photography of Rick Burgess

Rick Burgess is among the most personable photographers you'd ever hope to meet and welcomes inquiries about his work. To contact Rick or to enjoy more of his photography, visit his Facebook profile page.

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