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Explore wild, wonderful West Virginia with the state's most-read online publication.

West Virginia Explorer Magazine is the premier online source for exploring the beauty, culture, and heritage of the Mountain State. From travel tips and outdoor adventures to local news, history, and hidden gems, we connect readers with the real West Virginia. Follow us for in-depth articles, stunning photography, event updates, and insider stories that showcase the heart of Appalachia. The oldest online guide to West Virginia, we've been in publication online since 2000.

11/05/2026

Which hiking trail in New River Gorge National Park is the best? We asked hikers who know the area, and their answers went well beyond the famous overlooks.

Some favored waterfalls and abandoned coal towns. Others preferred quiet trails away from the crowds. One woman shared a touching story about the trail she explored for years with her beloved dog, Peepers.

See which trails earned the most mentions, and discover a few you might have overlooked. You'll find a link to the story in the comments below.

11/05/2026

Businesses along one of West Virginia's longest rail trails hope to bring greater prosperity to the towns along its route. The 72-mile North Bend Rail Trail draws visitors from across the country and overseas, yet some neighboring communities still struggle to sustain restaurants, lodging, and tourism businesses.

One longtime trail advocate knows the problem firsthand. After 30 years operating a bicycle business in Cairo, she's converting the building into a residence. As a national relay arrives November 6–7, her experience raises an important question: What would it take to turn this historic railroad corridor into an economic engine for rural West Virginia?

The answer may offer lessons for small towns throughout Appalachia. Follow the link in the comments below for the full story.

11/02/2026

A $40 ticket could win you a West Virginia adventure! Prizes include golf at The Greenbrier, mountain cabin getaways, guided fishing trips, and whitewater rafting in the New River Gorge, plus 23 more, all worth more than $14,000, in a raffle benefiting West Virginia's state parks, forests, and rail trails.

Tickets are $40 each, and you get a sixth ticket free when you buy five. The drawing is on January 23, 2027, in Charleston. You need not be present to win. Find out what's being offered and how to enter! Link in the comments below!

11/02/2026

Sixty years ago this month, two young couples reported a terrifying encounter near Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Their account would become one of America's most famous mysteries.

Now, Ohio State University is marking the anniversary with a series of events exploring Mothman and the legend that grew from those November 1966 sightings.

Read the story at West Virginia Explorer. You'll find a link in the comments below.

10/31/2026

Imagine traveling just 35 miles and having to change your watch SEVEN times! That was once possible along the Ohio River, where neighboring communities couldn't agree on daylight saving time.

A West Virginia congressman helped straighten things out. As clocks fall back this weekend, discover the remarkable story of how West Virginia helped put America on the same time.

You'll find the full story in the comments below.

10/30/2026

Timberline Mountain, near Davis, in Tucker County, placed ninth nationally in a new study of 100 ski destinations, with an estimated cost of $176.43 per person for lodging and a day on the slopes.

The recognition comes six years after Timberline reopened following a multimillion-dollar redevelopment. (Story in the comments.)

10/29/2026

Mothman? Flatwoods Monster? But who are the other seven creatures? West Virginia's new Cryptids license plate features nine legendary creatures associated with the Mountain State. Designed by the late Jesse Corlis, the plate goes on sale Monday, Nov. 2.

🔎 How many cryptids can YOU identify? Story in the comments!

10/27/2026

Think you've missed the best of West Virginia's fall foliage? Peak color has arrived across much of the state, but some of autumn's most beautiful scenery may still lie ahead.

As leaves fall, sunlight streams deeper into the forest, illuminating the remaining foliage like stained glass. It's a different kind of autumn beauty worth getting outdoors to enjoy.

Follow the link in the comments to see where the color is now and why November can be a wonderful time to explore West Virginia.

10/27/2026

When does a barking dog become a public nuisance? Persistent barking can disrupt sleep, increase stress, and interfere with working from home. In West Virginia, some communities are taking action.

Fayetteville's recently amended barking-dog ordinance has sparked debate among residents, while Clarksburg has established specific limits on prolonged barking. But what can residents do when the problem occurs outside city limits?

Read the full story in the comments below.

10/27/2026

Planning a winter visit to New River Gorge National Park? Two roads will close in November, restricting access to popular fishing areas, campgrounds, and hiking trailheads through March 25, 2027.

Cunard Road closes Nov. 9, followed by Glade Creek Road on Nov. 10. Some nearby trails and camping areas will remain open. (More information is provided in the comments below.)

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1576 Washington Street , E
Charleston, WV
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