Recreation in West Virginia

Guest on zip line at River Riders, Recreation, Harpers Ferry, WV
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 rapid on New River, ACE Adventure Resort
Rafters plow through rapids

Stay tuned as we add new categories and content to our guide to recreation in West Virginia. 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

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

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. โ€” West Virginia hunters harvested 2,469 black bears during the combined 2025 archery, crossbow, and firearms seasons, according to preliminary figures released...
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

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. โ€” The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources announced the winners of the 2025 West Virginia Big Buck Photo Contest during the opening...
West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Show: The three-day event showcases leading outdoor brands, outfitters, and conservation organizations, and has become one of the stateโ€™s largest gatherings focused on hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation.

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

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. โ€” The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources will sponsor the annual West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Show, set for Jan. 23โ€“25 at...
Trout stocking: Hatchery crews stocked trout in 46 lakes and streams across West Virginia during the week of Jan. 5.

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

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. โ€” Officials at the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources in Charleston announced that hatchery crews stocked trout in 46 lakes and streams...
A rite of winter in West Virginia, trout stockings have resumed in select lakes and streams. (Photo courtesy W.Va. Dept. of Commerce)

West Virginia trout stocking resumes in lakes and streams statewide

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. โ€” Trout stockings have resumed in select lakes and streams across West Virginia, the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources announced, restoring a...