Recreation in West Virginia

Zipping along at River Riders

West Virginia is among the best known destinations for recreation in the eastern U.S. Millions of visitors annually venture into its mountains and valleys to hike and bike, cave and climb, fish and hunt, golf and game, ski and paddle. Recreation here isn't limited to the traditional and extreme varieties for which the state is widely known. By our definition, it includes everything from antiquing to quilting -- pursuits that can be enjoyed indoors and out.

More recreation categories to come in spring!

Rafters plow through rapids

Stay tuned as we add new categories and content to our guide to recreation in . In the near future you can expect to see our guides to golf, gaming, hiking, and hunting being developed. Guides to kayaking, zip-lining, and other popular forms of recreation in West Virginia will soon follow.

West Virginia Recreation News

Winners of the 2022 W.Va. Big Buck Photo Contest were announced today by the Governor.

Gov. announces 2022 W.Va. Big Buck Photo Contest winners

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice today announced the winners of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources second annual Big Buck Photo Contest....
Trout stocking schedule for West Virginia

West Virginia Trout Stocking Schedules: March 6-10, 2023

West Virginia Explorer Magazine publishes an updated list of waters stocked by the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources as the division publishes announcements. Trout Stocking...
Young Archer in West Virginia

Sixty-five schools to compete in W.Va. archery tournament

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Students from 65 schools will participate in the 18th annual West Virginia Archery-in-the-Schools State Tournament on March 25, according to...
A hunter and his hound venture out on a misty morning hunt.

Meetings to discuss W.Va. hunting, trapping, fishing regulations

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will host 12 in-person public meetings in mid-March 2023 to discuss proposed hunting,...
A buck peers out from behind a shock of grass in a West Virginia countryside.

West Virginia deer seasons harvest increases 12.7 percent

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Deer hunters in West Virginia have had a very good year, according to officials at the W.Va. Division of Natural...