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

The Nuttalburg tipple greets visitors to a remote corner of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

Eight ghost towns in southern West Virginia worth visiting

Clyde Craig - 4
THURMOND, W.Va. — One of the richest aspects of history in southern West Virginia involves coal mining. Following the Civil War, coal production in...
Brett McMillion, director of the W.Va. DNR, says he hopes more wild turkeys appear on dining room tables throughout West Virginia this Thanksgiving. (Photo: W.Va. Dept. of Commerce)

2025 wild turkey hunting season in West Virginia to launch October 11

Will Reedy - 0
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Wild turkey hunting will return to West Virginia when the fall season’s first segment opens in all 55 counties on October...
Several migratory bird hunting seasons will open in West Virginia in October, a rite of autumn for many hunters.

Duck, goose, waterfowl hunting season in West Virginia open October 4

Will Reedy - 0
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Several migratory bird hunting seasons will open in West Virginia in October, a rite of autumn for many hunters. From October 4-12,...
The start of West Virginia’s archery and crossbow seasons is one of the most anticipated times of the year.

2025 archery and crossbow hunting seasons open September 27 in West Virginia

Will Reedy - 0
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Officials at the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources announced today that archery and crossbow seasons for white-tailed deer, black bear, and...
Black bear hunting in West Virginia is one of the state’s most valued outdoor traditions and an essential part of wildlife management.

First section of autumn 2025 black bear firearms season opens in West Virginia

Will Reedy - 0
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Officials at the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources today announced that the next segment of the state’s black bear firearms season...