Subscribe
Friday, August 1, 2025
65 F
Beckley
type here...
More
    Subscribe

    August in West Virginia: When mountain customs come home

    Festivals / Events Clyde Craig -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — August in West Virginia is a time of celebration. Its hills and hollows awaken to a season steeped in rituals of...
    History / Prehistory

    From Jerry West to Best Virginia, basketball in West Virginia is a unifying force

    2
    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Mountain State is a land...
    History / Prehistory

    The five worst floods in West Virginia history: A Chronicle of Disaster

    1
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Shaped by rugged mountains and winding...
    Travel / Transportation

    Splash into Fun: The Six Best Waterparks in West Virginia (2025 Guide)

    1
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s natural beauty is world-famous,...
    Travel / Transportation

    The best East Coast stargazing? Discover West Virginia dark-sky wonders

    1
    MOUNT ZION, W.Va. — If you’re searching for the...
    Lodging and Real Estate

    Nightfall’s Value: Light pollution can diminish real estate worth in W.Va.

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — An increasing number of new West...
    Natural Wonders

    The 10 best swimming holes in West Virginia for ideal summer escapes

    5
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Whether you're chasing cool, crystal-clear waters...

    Most Popular Stories

    Hot this week

    Natural Wonders

    The 10 best swimming holes in West Virginia for ideal summer escapes

    5
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Whether you're chasing cool, crystal-clear waters...
    Festivals / Events

    West Virginia to host first-ever Spartan Trifecta World Championship in the U.S.

    2
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia will make history in...
    Travel / Transportation

    Splash into Fun: The Six Best Waterparks in West Virginia (2025 Guide)

    1
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s natural beauty is world-famous,...
    National Parks

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

    29
    GLEN JEAN, W.Va. — The National Park Service has...
    Hiking

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

    0
    BUFFALO, W.Va. — Among the fields and wetlands of...

    Popular Categories

    Economic Development120History / Prehistory112Hunting109Lore and Legend108State Parks, Forests106Arts103Higher Education94Agriculture88Wildlife / Conservancy75National Parks72Fishing70Landmarks / Museums66Recreation64Botany and Forestry61Festivals / Events58Travel / Transportation49

    Headlines

    Remote monument recalls origins of Farley family in New River valley

    History / Prehistory David Sibray -
    PIPESTEM, W.Va. — Many of the thousands of people named "Farley" in the New River valley region in southern...

    Point at tip of W.Va.'s northern panhandle marks beginning of West

    Landmarks / Museums David Sibray -
    EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio — Some say that the American West begins at West Virginia, specifically at the tip of...

    Kanawha Valley in W.Va. had highest concentration of burial mounds

    History / Prehistory David Sibray -
    SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Kanawha Valley in western West Virginia once had the highest concentration of burial mounds...

    Islands in the Ohio River in West Virginia are a Noah's Ark for wildlife

    Wildlife Refuges, Management Areas Amanda Larch Hinchman -
    WILLIAMSTOWN, W.Va. — Hidden in plain sight, the islands in the Ohio River in West Virginia are a Noah's...

    Peters Mountain Roar continues to mystify West Virginia residents

    Natural Wonders David Sibray -
    ZENITH, W.Va. — Those who have heard the haunting "Peters Mountain Roar" say it will forever stay with them....

    Scientists say carvings in southern W.Va. are Native American, not Irish

    History / Prehistory David Sibray -
    LYNCO, W.Va. — Scientists studying ancient carvings in West Virginia say stories that propose a non-native origin for prehistoric...

    LOVE-HATE tattoos have terrifying origin in West Virginia nightmare

    Lore and Legend David Sibray -
    MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. — The iconic LOVE-HATE tattoos that adorn many thuggish fists in the U.S. are tied to one...

    Peculiar rock face is attracting more visitors, thanks to social media

    Arts David Sibray -
    FAIRPLAIN, W.Va. — Carved on a hillside by an eccentric sculptor in the 1950s, a curious rock face near...

    Attractions

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

    1
    SANDSTONE, W.Va. — Sandstone Falls, one of the most...

    West Virginia’s Farm-to-Table dinner series returns with scenic feasts, local flavor

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The highly anticipated Farm-to-Table Dinner Series...

    Fading memories of a wartime powerhouse: South Charleston’s ordnance plant

    3
    SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Rising behind a series of...

    Biggest Yet! Warwood becomes West Virginia’s largest historic district

    3
    WHEELING, W.Va. — In a landmark moment for historic...

    Communities

    The Guyandotte River rediscovered as a destination for angling, paddling

    3
    GUYANDOTTE, W.Va. — Rivers in West Virginia have gained...

    West Virginia leads the nation in deer-vehicle collisions

    1
    DEERWALK, W.Va. — Vehicle collisions with deer in West...

    West Virginia woodland for sale on Barker’s Creek offers mountain serenity

    4
    BASIN, W.Va. — Nestled deep within the wooded hollows...

    Breeze Airways expands service in West Virginia with new Charleston route

    1
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Breeze Airways is soaring to new...

    Culture

    Remarkable encounter: John Brown’s final moments witnessed by Stonewall Jackson

    7
    CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — On December 1, 1859, abolitionist...

    How Devil Anse Hatfield became a bold symbol of change in Appalachia

    5
    LOGAN, W.Va. — By the time the world would...

    The writer who captured Appalachian tragedy—and couldn't escape it

    4
    MILTON, W.Va. — Breece D’J Pancake soared like a...

    West Virginia Film Office marks thrilling anniversary with Hollywood momentum

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Film Office quietly...

    Recreation

    Parks partner with nonprofit to make golf more affordable for W.Va. youth

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia's state park system is...

    Secret bunker in W.Va. built to hide Congress in event of nuclear war

    4
    WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS. W.Va. — A vast underground bunker...

    Did a settler survive lost in caverns beneath W.Va.'s Greenbrier Valley?

    2
    LEWISBURG, W.Va. — One of the strangest tales to...

    Family-friendly Free Fishing Days in West Virginia to return June 7-8

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Free Fishing Days will return June...

    History and Prehistory

    How Devil Anse Hatfield became a bold symbol of change in Appalachia

    5
    LOGAN, W.Va. — By the time the world would...

    The daring Civil War tale of Samantha Jane Atkeson of Putnam County

    4
    BUFFALO, W.Va. — Samantha Jane Atkeson was a teenager...

    Freedom in Sight: Monroe County slaves risked all to flee to Union lines

    6
    UNION, W.Va. — While slavery had only a minor...

    The 12 oldest towns in West Virginia that still exist

    27
    POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — While parts of the mountainous...

    Lore and Legend

    Tale of Kanawha County monster may have first been documented in 1950s

    3
    PINCH, W.Va. — The legend of a now well-publicized...

    Bigfoot sightings near Sutton, West Virginia, have historic precedent

    1
    SUTTON, W.Va. — Sightings of a bigfoot alleged in...

    The secret origins of Twistabout Creek’s twisting W.Va. name

    1
    PROCIOUS, W.Va. — The strange name of Twistabout Creek...

    Was mysterious "lunatic" first to discover what would become W.Va.?

    1
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — One enduring West Virginia legend posits...

    State Parks

    Tu-Endie-Wei in W.Va. added to Underground Railroad network

    0
    POINT PLEASANT, W.Va. — Tu-Endie-Wei State Park has been...

    New trail connects off-road trail system with Chief Logan park lodge

    0
    LOGAN, W.Va. — A new 4.6-mile trail connecting Chief...

    Lost River, Cass Scenic Railroad state parks to see major expansions

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Lost River State Park and Cass...

    Extraordinary Beartown State Park a classroom for West Virginia geology

    0
    DROOP, W.Va. — Among the smallest state parks in...

    Hunting

    W.Va. officials urge participation in early antlerless deer season

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia officials are urging hunters...

    December deer, bear hunting seasons underway in West Virginia

    0
    SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — December hunting season for deer...

    W.Va. reminds hunters about furbearer seasons, river otter project

    0
    SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — With the raccoon hunting season...

    W.Va. sets important 2023-'24 migratory game bird season dates

    0
    FARMINGTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Division of Natural...

    Fishing

    Record West Virginia blue catfish broken fourth year in a row

    0
    GALLIPOLIS FERRY, W.Va. — For the fourth year in...

    West Virginia to stock upper Elk River in pilot winter trout program

    0
    WEBSTER SPRINGS, W.Va. — The W.Va. Division of Natural...

    West Virginia stocks 43 waters during first week of fall trout stocking

    0
    SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The W.Va. Division of Natural...

    West Virginia angler catches state record longnose gar

    0
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — According to state officials, an 11-year...

    Hiking

    Five reasons West Virginia is an ultimate winter hiking destination

    0
    FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — While West Virginia has gained worldwide...

    Endless Wall Trail named Best Hike in West Virginia by magazine

    0
    LANSING, W.Va. — The Endless Wall Trail has again...

    Six tips for hiking through the West Virginia forest in winter weather

    0
    FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — Hiking in West Virginia in winter...

    W.Va. records largest spring turkey harvest in five years

    0
    FARMINGTON, W.VA. — According to preliminary data released by...

    Skiing

    Snowshoe Mountain in W.Va. ranks among most affordable ski resorts

    0
    SLATYFORK, W.Va. — Snowshoe Mountain in the Allegheny Mountains...

    Snowshoe Mountain to open skiing, snowboarding by Thanksgiving

    0
    SNOWSHOE, W.Va. — In advance of a strong El...

    Canaan Valley rated one of top U.S. ski, winter destinations

    0
    DAVIS, W.Va. — More than a few magazines in...

    Record conditions: Canaan to open slopes Dec. 13

    0
    Officials at Canaan Valley Resort in West Virginia will...

    National Parks

    Grandview panoramas showcase New River Gorge at its widest, deepest

    0
    SHADY SPRING, W.Va. — Perched more than 1,400 feet...

    Park ranger lists the four must-see attractions in the New River Gorge

    0
    THURMOND, W.Va.—Visiting America's newest national park? There are countless...

    Economic impacts nearly double at Harpers Ferry park over a decade

    0
    HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. — Economic impacts have nearly doubled...

    Spending near national parks in southern W.Va. jumps by 9 percent

    0
    GLEN JEAN, W.Va. – The National Park Service reports...

    Kayaking

    W.Va. flatwater trail commission set to build connections

    0
    Established a year ago, West Virginia’s flatwater trail commission...

    Flatwater paddling expanding quickly across West Virginia

    0
    West Virginia is growing rapidly as a destination for...

    Kayaks opening Guyandotte valley to new exploration

    0
    The valley of the Guyandotte might be counted among...

    June 1 float supports West Fork, now prime kayak-fishing destination

    0
    The West Fork River is fast becoming one of...

    Whitewater Rafting

    Cool autumn weather could super-charge Gauley River rafting

    0
    The return of autumn could result in an end-of-season...

    Gauley River whitewater rafting season begins Sept. 6

    0
    One of the most scenic rivers in the U.S....

    Help build guide to booming West Virginia paddling events

    0
    Paddling sports such as kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are...

    Eventful and colorful, October ideal for rafting in West Virginia

    0
    October may be the biggest month yet when it...

    Biking

    New Parkersburg-area trail designed for intermediate level bikers

    0
    Already among the most popular destinations for mountain biking...

    Piney Creek trails attracting dozens daily; trail map unveiled

    0
    Hikers, bikers, and runners in growing numbers are venturing...

    Gorge resort introduces electric-assist mountain bike adventures

    0
    Imagine peddling less and riding faster. The new electric-assist...

    New trail to historic mill ruin to open Saturday in Beckley

    0
    Officials in Beckley, West Virginia, on Saturday will open...

    Recent Posts

    August in West Virginia: When mountain customs come home

    Festivals / Events Clyde Craig -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — August in West Virginia is a time of celebration. Its hills and hollows awaken to a...

    Wild and Wonderful: A journey through West Virginia’s most beautiful places

    Travel / Transportation Bianca Bosworth -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — There's a reason West Virginia is called "almost heaven." In the wild heart of Appalachia, its...

    Historic West Virginia heat waves and how the state can recover its coolness

    History / Prehistory Bianca Bosworth -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — While known for its forests and cool mountain air, West Virginia has nonetheless endured its share...

    West Virginia to host first-ever Spartan Trifecta World Championship in the U.S.

    Festivals / Events David Sibray -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia will make history in 2025 when it becomes the first U.S. location to host...

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

    Hiking David Sibray -
    BUFFALO, W.Va. — Among the fields and wetlands of the lower Kanawha Valley in West Virginia, a green haven...

    From Jerry West to Best Virginia, basketball in West Virginia is a unifying force

    History / Prehistory Clyde Craig -
    MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Mountain State is a land stitched together by rugged mountains, close-knit towns, and a complicated...

    The five worst floods in West Virginia history: A Chronicle of Disaster

    History / Prehistory David Sibray -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Shaped by rugged mountains and winding rivers, West Virginia has endured some of the most catastrophic...

    Splash into Fun: The Six Best Waterparks in West Virginia (2025 Guide)

    Travel / Transportation Clyde Craig -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia’s natural beauty is world-famous, but when summer heat hits, the state’s waterparks become top...

    The best East Coast stargazing? Discover West Virginia dark-sky wonders

    Travel / Transportation Clyde Craig -
    MOUNT ZION, W.Va. — If you’re searching for the best places to stargaze on the East Coast, West Virginia...

    Nightfall’s Value: Light pollution can diminish real estate worth in W.Va.

    Lodging and Real Estate Bianca Bosworth -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — An increasing number of new West Virginia residents are being drawn to rolling hills and quiet...

    The 10 best swimming holes in West Virginia for ideal summer escapes

    Natural Wonders Bianca Bosworth -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Whether you're chasing cool, crystal-clear waters or hidden natural pools tucked into lush forest valleys, these...

    Appalachia's haunted highway: legends of West Virginia Turnpike ghosts

    Lore and Legend David Sibray -
    CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Completed in 1954, the West Virginia Turnpike, twisting like a ribbon through 88 miles of the...
    Load more

    Popular

    West Virginia Explorer Webzine is an online publication that celebrates the Mountain State's rich culture and natural beauty. Readers enjoy travel tips, hidden gems, outdoor adventures, local lore, and community news. For more than a quarter century, we've been the No. 1 trusted guide for exploring West Virginia.

    Company

    Headlines

    Remote monument recalls origins of Farley family in New River valley

    6
    PIPESTEM, W.Va. — Many of the thousands of people...

    Point at tip of W.Va.'s northern panhandle marks beginning of West

    0
    EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio — Some say that the American...

    Kanawha Valley in W.Va. had highest concentration of burial mounds

    3
    SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Kanawha Valley in western...

    Islands in the Ohio River in West Virginia are a Noah's Ark for wildlife

    0
    WILLIAMSTOWN, W.Va. — Hidden in plain sight, the islands...

    Newsletter

    Get important news delivered directly to your inbox and stay connected!

    © Copyright 2000, 2002, 2006, 2012-2014, 2025 West Virginia Explorer. All rights reserved.