Forest projects have included stream restoration, erosion control, invasive plant removal, native tree planting, wildlife habitat improvements, and trail or road maintenance.

Monongahela National Forest seeks conservation proposals in five West Virginia counties

National Forests May 22, 2026

ELKINS, W.Va. — The W.Va. Resource Advisory Committee is seeking proposals for conservation and infrastructure projects that benefit the Monongahela National Forest and surrounding communities. Funding is provided through the federal Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act, a program designed to compensate counties that contain large amounts of federally owned land exempt from local ...

Musicians gather freely at the Vandalia Gathering in Charleston, West Virginia.

49th annual Vandalia Gathering celebrates old-time and bluegrass music at state capital

Festivals / Events May 22, 2026

Seneca Rocks, one of the most recognized landmarks in the Appalachians, is greeting new crowds.

Seneca Rocks draws excited new crowds to West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest

Natural Wonders May 21, 2026

A new partnership is working to improve and maintain more than 500 miles of trail in the northern region of the Monongahela National Forest.

Partnership to enhance more than 500 miles of Monongahela National Forest trails

National Forests May 20, 2026

A party of travelers bound for the Cumberland Gap in 1779 were scalped and captured in what is remembered as the Pauley Massacre.

Few may recall 1779 Pauley massacre fought in the shadow of East River Mountain

History / Prehistory May 20, 2026

The program creates incentives for private investment funds and financial institutions to direct capital into qualified small business growth.

Applications open for West Virginia First small business growth program

Economic Development May 19, 2026

Neerly House Mystery: "Said he heard it," the boy said of Dotson. "Something that seemed to be dragging itself along and grunting every few minutes."

The house that vanished overnight: West Virginia’s Neerly House haunting

Lore and Legend May 18, 2026

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Lore and Legend

The house that vanished overnight: West Virginia’s Neerly House haunting

National Forests

Monongahela National Forest seeks conservation proposals in five West Virginia counties

Festivals / Events

49th annual Vandalia Gathering celebrates old-time and bluegrass music at state capital

Natural Wonders

Seneca Rocks draws excited new crowds to West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest

National Forests

Partnership to enhance more than 500 miles of Monongahela National Forest trails

History / Prehistory

Few may recall 1779 Pauley massacre fought in the shadow of East River Mountain

Economic Development

Applications open for West Virginia First small business growth program

Attractions

Monongahela National Forest seeks conservation proposals in five West Virginia counties

Seneca Rocks draws excited new crowds to West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest

Partnership to enhance more than 500 miles of Monongahela National Forest trails

Tourists on bicycles visit the Elk River Trail Visitor Center.

Visitor center opens as Elk River Trail extends toward West Virginia capital city, Charleston

Rocket Boys: the ceremony is one of several activities being hosted across the West Virginia state parks system as part of National Kids-to-Parks Day.

Rocket Boys event at Pipestem headlines kids’ day at seven W.Va. state parks

Monongahela National Forest acquires Cunningham Knob acreage in Randolph County

Communities

Applications open for West Virginia First small business growth program

Each spring, officials field calls about young wildlife that may appear abandoned but in most cases are behaving as they should in the wild.

Biologists in West Virginia warn the public to leave young wildlife alone

Officials say spring and early summer are periods of increased bear activity as bears emerge from winter dens, search for food, and move through the habitat with cubs.

Bear activity increasing in national parks in W.Va. as officials urge visitors be ‘Bear Aware’

More Americans, notably Gen Z, are moving to West Virginia, new census analysis shows

Snowshoe Mountain has unveiled its 2026 summer events calendar.

Snowshoe Mountain announces 2026 summer events, launches new music fest

Memorial Day weekend travel in West Virginia expected to surge as summer begins

Culture

49th annual Vandalia Gathering celebrates old-time and bluegrass music at state capital

Few may recall 1779 Pauley massacre fought in the shadow of East River Mountain

The house that vanished overnight: West Virginia’s Neerly House haunting

West Virginia officials urge life jacket use during national boating safety week

Archaeologists have been visiting the walls on Armstrong Mountain since at least the 1970s when the last survey was conducted.

Ancient stone walls on Armstrong Mountain are no old-timer’s tale

West Virginia bottler wins silver award at international water competition

Recreation

The Mourning Dove is one of the most abundant and widespread North American birds and a popular gamebird.

South Branch ends mourning dove permits; controlled hunt begin at Stonewall Jackson

John Terry, of Gallagher, in Kanawha County, set a new state record for tiger trout on March 19 by catching a 29.13-inch, 11.04-pound tiger trout from Seneca Lake in Pocahontas County.

John Terry catches record-breaking tiger trout in lake at Seneca State Forest

One of the largest networks on the East Coast, the routes activate thousands of miles of gravel roads across the Mon Forest for visitors and communities. (Photo: Getty Images)

Gravel, bikepacking network connects towns across Monongahela National Forest region

Motorboats with engines larger than 10 horsepower are now permitted to operate at no-wake speed on Elk Fork, North Bend, O’Brien, Stonecoal, and Woodrum lakes.

Horsepower restrictions removed on five small lakes in West Virginia

Hunter Rohr, 15, of Buckhannon, West Virginia, has caught a golden rainbow trout that set state records for length and weight.

Buckhannon teen Rohr catches record-breaking golden rainbow trout

Reedsville man catches state record chain pickerel in Preston County pond

History and Prehistory

Few may recall 1779 Pauley massacre fought in the shadow of East River Mountain

Ancient stone walls on Armstrong Mountain are no old-timer’s tale

According to some accounts, an extraordinary and clandestine encounter may have unfolded on the evening of June 5, 1861, inside the covered bridge at Philippi.

Did Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis secretly meet in West Virginia?

Here are the top 10 winter snows that shaped West Virginia history

Frank James, the older brother of Jesse James quietly rode into Princeton, West Virginia, and walked straight into the Bank of Princeton—not to rob it, but to study it.

Frank James entered a West Virginia bank in 1872 — and left without robbing it

Runaway Virginia slave deceived by rescuer changed public opinion in Ohio

Lore and Legend

The house that vanished overnight: West Virginia’s Neerly House haunting

David Sibray visits the Ebenezer Church (est. 1880) beyond the Low Gap at the head of Skull Run.

The horrors of Skull Run recounted by late West Virginia historian

Solomon Spaulding claimed to have uncovered ancient plates along Prickett's Creek in Marion County, West Virginia.

Giant skeletons and buried copper plates—a strange Marion County folktale

Colonel Ludington’s legendary giant ox was real, and it weighed 4,450 pounds

The "Star of the West" is caught in the treetops near Clayton, West Virginia..

Quiet West Virginia village of Clayton named for 1835 hot-air balloon crash

Why paranormal tourism is booming in almost heaven West Virginia

State Parks

Visitor center opens as Elk River Trail extends toward West Virginia capital city, Charleston

Rocket Boys event at Pipestem headlines kids’ day at seven W.Va. state parks

Seasonal jobs at West Virginia state parks are also often a first step into a career in natural resources.

West Virginia state parks seek seasonal employees for summer 2026

West Virginia State Parks Foundation launches online merchandise store

Each bottle of Smooth Ambler in the collection features custom artwork celebrating the landscapes, history, and outdoor experiences that make the parks iconic destinations. (Photo courtesy W.Va. Tourism)

West Virginia state parks, Smooth Ambler expand branded bourbon partnership statewide

Longtime West Virginia state parks leader details the park system’s real impact

Hunting

South Branch ends mourning dove permits; controlled hunt begin at Stonewall Jackson

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

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

West Virginia Hunting and Fishing Show: The three-day event showcases leading outdoor brands, outfitters, and conservation organizations, and has become one of the state’s largest gatherings focused on hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation.

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

Mountaineer Heritage Season opens, reviving a West Virginia hunting tradition

Bumper nut, acorn crop and disease reduced West Virginia buck harvest in 2025

Fishing

John Terry catches record-breaking tiger trout in lake at Seneca State Forest

Buckhannon teen Rohr catches record-breaking golden rainbow trout

Matt Born of Reedsville, West Virginia, has caught a new state record chain pickerel.

Reedsville man catches state record chain pickerel in Preston County pond

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

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

West Virginia trout stocking resumes in lakes and streams statewide

Hiking

Held at 21 state parks and forests across West Virginia, the First Day hikes are part of a nationwide New Year’s Day tradition designed to promote outdoor recreation.

West Virginia state parks to ring in 2026 with 24 First Day hikes across the state

Three powerful reasons to hike West Virginia when the temperature drops

Hikers walk the boardwalk on the Alum Cave Trail at Audra State Park.

West Virginia trail advocacy organization to hold statewide meetings this fall

Secret waterfall on New River Gorge Hiking Trails

Naturalists share their favorite lesser-known New River Gorge hiking trails

Hikers on biodiversity trail system at Buffalo, West Virginia

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

Strange single-leafed orchid sprouts in winter woodlands in West Virginia

Skiing

White Grass has long been a magnet for visitors from Columbus, Pittsburgh, and Washington, D.C. (Photo: Mountain River Media)

White Grass cross-country skiing elevates winter in Canaan Valley, West Virginia

Resort officials reported four to five inches of overnight snowfall, providing skiers and snowboarders with unusually high-quality conditions for opening day. (Photo courtesy Snowshoe Mountain Resort)

Snowshoe Mountain opens 2025–26 ski season with fresh snow, free lift tickets

Three of four West Virginia alpine ski areas to open this week

Canaan Valley resort announces $6 million upgrade ahead of winter season

Five reasons why your family should visit West Virginia this winter

Snowshoe Mountain replacing iconic Shavers Center with modern lodge

National Parks

Lost village of “Lilly” hides in national park lands in West Virginia

More than two million visitors spent more than $100 million in the counties surrounding those parks, representing a nearly 12 percent increase compared to 2023.

Tourism surge in southern West Virginia yields more than $108 million for local economy

Oral history recordings now available on New River Gorge national park website

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

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

A hidden parkway travels beneath the New River Gorge Bridge in W.Va.

Kayaking

Horsepower restrictions removed on five small lakes in West Virginia

Kayakers On The Ohio River in West Virginia

Despite river traffic, the scenic Ohio can be a safe kayaking destination

Ohio River refuge islands in W.Va. increasingly attract kayakers

Kayaking On Guyandotte River in West Virginia

Guyandotte River float, regatta scheduled for June 24

Members of the Trash-Your-Kayak Cleanup Crew paddle at a launch on a West Virginia stream.

Kayakers battling to clean littered West Virginia streams

W.Va. flatwater trail commission set to build connections

Whitewater Rafting

New River Gorge resort in W.Va. shares industry trends in diversity

Whitewater Rafting In The New River Gorge in West Virginia

National Geographic names rafting New River Gorge top 2024 experience

Sunset In The New River Gorge in West Virginia

Resort re-introduces sunset rafting trips in the New River Gorge

Kayaker on Deckers Creek, Morgantown, West Virginia, Monongalia County, Monongahela Valley Region

Making sense of whitewater rapid classifications

A raft launches into the Gauley River during an exciting excursion with River Expeditions.

Cool autumn weather could super-charge Gauley River rafting

Gauley River whitewater rafting season begins Sept. 6

Biking

Gravel, bikepacking network connects towns across Monongahela National Forest region

Biking At Cacapon Resort State Park in West Virginia

Officials unveil largest mountain bike trail project in W.Va. history

Tracy Toler and his daughter bike a forest trail in southern West Virginia.

West Virginia an ideal statewide destination for mountain biking

The International Mountain Bicycling Association announced the newest recipient of its Ride Center designation—the Snowshoe Highlands Ride Center in Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

Snowshoe Highlands Ride Center unveiled today by IMBA

A mountain biker explores trails at the Summit Bechtel Scout Reserve near the New River Gorge.

World-class trails at scout reserve now open to mountain bikers

New Parkersburg-area trail designed for intermediate level bikers

More Recent Posts

Bear activity increasing in national parks in W.Va. as officials urge visitors be ‘Bear Aware’

Wildlife / Conservancy May 16, 2026

FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. — As bear activity increases across national parks and public lands in West Virginia this spring and summer, state and federal wildlife officials are urging visitors to take extra precautions while hiking, camping, and exploring the Mountain State’s forests. The National Park Service recently issued a nationwide reminder encouraging visitors to practice bear … Read more

Rocket Boys event at Pipestem headlines kids’ day at seven W.Va. state parks

State Parks, Forests May 15, 2026

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The “Rocket Boys” of Coalwood—the small-town students whose homemade rocket experiments inspired a bestselling memoir and Hollywood film—will be honored at Pipestem Resort State Park during the inaugural West Virginia Hall of Fame induction ceremony during National Kids-to-Parks Day on May 16. The event is scheduled to take place from 4-6 p.m. … Read more

West Virginia officials urge life jacket use during national boating safety week

Festivals / Events May 15, 2026

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — To help promote National Safe Boating Week, officials at the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources and its law enforcement section are reminding boaters about the importance of boating safety and wearing life jackets. Observed this year from May 16-22, National Safe Boating Week marks the start of the summer boating season and … Read more

More Americans, notably Gen Z, are moving to West Virginia, new census analysis shows

Lodging and Real Estate May 14, 2026

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia has long been associated with outmigration, but new data tell a different story. The Mountain State now ranks among the nation’s top states for net domestic migration, according to Emilia Man, senior research analyst at StorageCafe. Man said an analysis of 2024 U.S. Census data sharply contrasts with the state’s … Read more

Monongahela National Forest acquires Cunningham Knob acreage in Randolph County

National Forests May 13, 2026

ELKINS, W.Va. — The Monongahela National Forest has acquired a 427-acre tract in Randolph County known as the Cunningham Knob addition, expanding public land near Cunningham Knob and the Laurel Fork area. The property was purchased from Cunningham Knob rises above the Sunks of Gandy. Photo by Rick Burgess[/caption] Greenbrier District Ranger Shane Jones said … Read more

Snowshoe Mountain announces 2026 summer events, launches new music fest

Lodging and Real Estate May 12, 2026

SNOWSHOE, W.Va. — Officials at Snowshoe Mountain, in Youth compete in summer biking events at Snowshoe Mountain. (Photo courtesy Snowshoe Mountain)[/caption] “Summer is probably the mountain’s best-kept secret, but with events like 4848 and Ballhooter, the secret is getting out,” Duncan said. “We have world-class mountain biking and hiking trails, activities at Shavers Lake, one … Read more

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