True, tranquil lakeside luxury
Soak in West Virginia’s rugged mountain beauty, without sacrificing the comforts of home at Stonewall Resort. This secluded retreat is
7 best ways to enjoy a day at North Bend Lake
Hit the water or head to the trail to make the most of this picturesque lake and surrounding land. If
“Best thing I did this summer”
Some inspiration for your next adventure from the GoToWV team, who set some serious #travelgoals this summer: Vicki Vaughan Every
Paddles? Psh. Ride the whitewater the easy way!
There’s tubing, and then there’s tubing. Inner tubes are great for lazy float trips, but did you know you can
Try West Virginia’s “Epic” mountain biking adventure for yourself
Deep in West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest, a 34-mile long ridgeline juts prominently into crisp mountain air, with knife-edge cliffs
11 wild teambuilding retreats for school & youth groups
Take your youth group to the mountains for some wild, wonderful team building. Nothing brings a group closer than overcoming
5 days in the New River Gorge with kids
The New River Gorge isn’t just for adrenaline junkies. It’s a great place for family vacations, too. The New River
Kids’ summer bucket list: 7 must-have adventures
Kids may be heading back to school soon, but there is still time to make some memories. You might choose
7 places you didn’t know you could take your pooch to play
Get out in the West Virginia wilderness, and get a little closer to man’s best friend. Here are 7 adventures
The totally last-second guide to a great family vacation in WV
Escape any time with a spontaneous mountain trip the family will never forget. The best vacations are the ones where
8 top family summer vacations in the mountains
Who needs the beach when you have miles upon miles of outdoor recreation and beauty? Here are some of the
Pilot your way to a mountain retreat
Leave your car at home and pilot to a secluded holiday instead! That’s right, you can bring your plane on
Mountain Surf Paddle Sports
Gal getaways: wild weekends
Feeling adventurous? Bring your friends along for the ride in West Virginia! It doesn’t matter if you’re a horse lover,
6 places to get really, really off the grid
Ditch the laptop and cell phone at home and recharge YOUR batteries instead at one of these off-the-grid places in
June Insta-greats
This June brought out some of the things we love most about Wild, Wonderful West Virginia. Vibrant arts and
Hit the West Virginia water— hard
You can take part in just about any watersport that you can think of in the Mountain State. Whether you’re
5 best places to hang your hammock
Hammocks are a great way to relax and enjoy nature’s wonder. Lay back and enjoy the sounds, sights and smells
7 best free family activities in WV
Adventure abounds in the hills of West Virginia— and lots of it is free! In West Virginia, families can enjoy
5 best places to try the fastest-growing watersport
Stand-up paddleboarding– known as SUP– is one of the easiest watersports (or outdoor activities of any kind, for that matter)
Plan a prime man-cation
Need a getaway with just the guys? West Virginia’s got plenty to do, whether it’s rafting, hiking, biking or just
Your ultimate camping checklist (and where in WV to find what you need)
There’s nothing like camping in the mountains. This simple gear checklist well help you gather all the basics you’ll need
4 best mountain 4×4 trails
West Virginia has some of the best off-roading terrain on the East Coast. Whether you’re looking for mild or wild,
Best multi-day camp-and-trek trail trips
Trace some of the nation’s most atmospheric and historic camp-and-trek trails. In West Virginia, picturesque footpaths take you past historic
7 ziplines that’ll make you want to fly in WV
Our state packs more thrills into its hills than any place else! Explore the excitement from the skies. Since there
Best of May in WV
It’s finally May, and the Mountain State is celebrating in style with a whole bunch of outdoor events. The sun
4 Unexpected Finds Along WV’s Country Roads
We all know the song that leads our Almost Heaven dreaming, a familiar tune celebrating 50 years of success in
Meet the Roaming Gnome here in the mountains!
Travelocity’s Roaming Gnome is touring West Virginia! Have you seen a tiny bearded fellow in town? From late April to
Taste Almost Heaven’s Wildest Food
West Virginia’s favorite perennial peaks in April. You can taste delicious, oniony ramps across the state in community dinners, your
4 best spring wildflower events in the Mountain State
Each spring, the ridgelines and shrouded forests in the Mountain State become a kaleidoscope of bursting blooms. There are
6 surreal abandoned places you have to see to believe
Have you ever spied a crumbling old structure and wondered at the history behind it? These abandoned places in West
Escape to a world with no fast food, no stoplights
Get away from it all– traffic, crowds, even stoplights– in Monroe County, WV. Sometimes it is nice to step into
Get racin’ over the rolling hills
Running’s not just for pavement anymore. Hit the trails and experience the beauty of West Virginia woods and farmland on
4 most rewarding rock climbs for beginners
We’re the Mountain State, and mountains have a lot of rocks and cliffs that are perfect for climbing (even if
Take the trail less traveled— really less traveled!
Have you ever paddled a water trail? Water trails (also called blueways) are river or lake routes for small, non-motorized
5 crazy plants you won’t believe grow here
As the days get warmer, West Virginia bursts into bloom with a variety of unique plant life. Check out some
The Little Bahamas… in WV?!?
Summersville Lake is one of the most popular destinations in West Virginia for boaters, swimmers and waterskiers— but what’s below
7 jaw-dropping horseback riding adventures in WV
Trek the mountains the same way the settlers did— by horseback. Many mountain trails are only used for horseback rides,
A family spring break in Almost Heaven
West Virginia has all of the ingredients for a memorable spring break. Here are some great mountain getaway ideas: 1.
WV’s richest history lies deep underground
Take a fascinating tour through the earth in an authentic, restored, turn-of-the-century coal mine in Beckley. If you haven’t yet
7 amazing mountain hikes even the kids will love
Share wonder with your kids on a jaw-dropping mountain hike. Even these rolling Mountain State trails can be smooth enough
4 falls you should take off the WV mountains
West Virginia is the Mountain State, and we’ve got more than enough great cliffs, crags and rocks for you to
Have you visited WV’s National Parks? We bet you didn’t do this…
Southern West Virginia’s National Parks are known for their natural beauty and outdoor recreation. The New River Gorge National River, Gauley
Different types of skiing in the mountain slopes
Resort, freestyle, glade, backcountry, telemark: what does this all mean? Here’s a quick primer on the equipment and styles that
There’s still time! 4 winter trips to squeeze in
Never fear, winter people! There is still time for winter sports in the Mountain State. In case you haven’t already,
7 reasons to be “the family that skis together”
There’s still plenty of snow on the slopes in West Virginia. Here are 7 reasons to book a trip and
WV’s 3 most notorious ski trails
West Virginia is the prime location in the southeast for skiing and snowboarding, with some of the most challenging trails
Best of March in WV
Wondering what to do in the Mountain State in March? Here are 7 best bets: 1. Last Hurrah Snowshoe Mountain
Psst: WV’s off-the-beaten-path rock climbs
This secluded area with gorgeous views of the New River has amazing climbing without the crowds. The sandstone cliffs at
Discover the East Coast’s climbing mecca
The most extensive climbing area east of the Mississippi, the New River Gorge has top rope, sport, trad, and bouldering
WV’s most unique fishing opportunity
Fishing the Bluestone in Southern West Virginia feels more like a Western trout stream than an Appalachian river. The Bluestone
Local WV secret: here’s where to reel in bass
Cheat Lake is quickly becoming one of the best bass fisheries in the state. Cheat Lake is great for all
Paddling WV’s classic whitewater river
The New River is the classic collection of whitewater runs that built West Virginia’s whitewater rafting industry. It runs all the
Sleep under the stars! The East Coast’s finest stargazing
West Virginia has some of the clearest night skies east of the Mississippi and has been named the most under-the-radar
Winter in bloom: brighten those winter blues with this wild, floral beauty
Break up the winter’s white pallette with the colorful hues of West Virginia’s wildflowers. Even when the greenery retreats and
How to make a childhood favorite even better
Remember snow days as a child? Searching for the perfect hill with your sled in hand, trudging your way to
WV’s trophy walleye fishing hotspot
This lake is home to some trophy-sized walleye, but catching these fish isn’t always easy. Situated in the middle of
Whitewater 101: paddling WV’s world-class rapids
One of the best ways to enjoy West Virginia’s stunning outdoor scenery is with the plain, pure fun of whitewater
The East Coast’s undiscovered whitewater gem
The Cheat River ranks among the best for whitewater paddling in the region. Northeastern West Virginia is chock-full of creeks
Hikers: can you complete the Chief’s Challenge?
In 2016, West Virginia State Parks Chief Sam England challenges you to hike or walk 100 miles in the state
Where to find and photograph these 10 WV icons
Here are some of the most photographed icons in the Mountain State, and where you can best capture a beautiful
Take these stairs into the sky
You’re nearing the top. You’re eye level with craggy rock fins, which fiercely jut out of rolling green mountaintops like
7 jaw-dropping mountain wedding venues
Feel like shouting your love from the mountaintops? What better place to do it than the Mountain State? Whether the
Win this winter race with just cardboard and creativity
Think you have what it takes to build your own racing sled? All you need is a roll or
Iconic quilt patterns and where to find them
West Virginia honors its long-shared quilting tradition with distinct Appalachian style. Quilting roots In days gone by, quilts played a
The art on these barns is unique, but that’s not all you’ll see
If you want to explore the Mountain State’s most scenic landscapes, just trace the trails of one of Appalachia’s most
Master show-stopping stunts at these 9 awesome terrain parks
If zipping downhill on the bunny slopes seems too tame, try tricking on the terrain parks! Lucky for you, each
Swim in the snow? Yup, waterslides and all!
Kids still going bonkers even after a long day on the winter slopes? Send them outside to the waterslide. Yes—
Soar through frosted forests with winter ziplining
A zipline trip can give you a unique bird’s eye view of the mountains— even in the winter. “The sparkle
Skiing without the slopes: cross-country in WV
The slopes aren’t the only way to enjoy winter’s beauty. Explore with the laid-back, more soulful ski trip— cross country
Inside the WV communities that get “live local” right
Living local is nothing new to West Virginia. Since colonial and frontier times, West Virginia has been marked by self-sufficiency
Family Fun on the Slopes and Beyond
Recapture the childlike magic of the season with your own kids in #AlmostHeaven. Winter has a way of capturing some
If your kids have enough “stuff,” here’s a gift idea.
Technology is wonderful. But the truth is we all need time to unplug— especially kids. With access to their favorite
Parks with a past: History’s most notable mountain landscapes
Of the prestigious U.S. National Parks, there are “scenic” parks, and there are “historic” parks. They could not be more
How many of these 45 authentic WV experiences have you had?
West Virginia has never been one to follow the trends— I mean, we exist because we created our own state
24 resolutions to add to your bucket list this year
There are so many things to see and do in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia that it can be a bit
Up your camping game: master primitive skills like a pro
Do you have what it takes to make it on your own in the woods? If not, you can learn!
7 best Mountain State snowsports
While fall in West Virginia is nothing short of gorgeous, don’t spend too long mourning its passing because winter is
5 smooth, easy biking trails for a family ride in WV
For a lot of us, learning to ride a bike was the first unabashed freedom that we experienced as
Traversing the Mon: 9 must-see sites in WV’s massive national forest
The Monongahela National Forest: nearly 1 million acres of breathtaking scenery and mountain recreation. The woodland wonderland covers the north
Discover one of the world’s largest off-roading trail systems
If you want the best off-road terrain, the Mountain State’s rolling hills harbor one of the nation’s largest trail systems.
6 fun trips for toddlers in WV
If your kiddos are knee-high to a grasshopper, taking them on trips can be challenging— unless you bring them to
5 exciting ways to explore WV history on an outdoor adventure
As John Denver said, “Life is old there, older than the trees.” But the wild, adventurous spirit is as youthful
Puzzles in the sky: aerial obstacle courses in WV
If you’re looking for a fun, unique challenge for the whole family (or group)— look up! Aerial challenge courses give
17 most scenic covered bridges in the WV countryside
West Virginia’s covered bridges are some of the most photographed landmarks in the state. Set against a backdrop of autumn
5 near-forgotten ghost towns to explore in WV
Head to the National Park to explore surreal abandoned mining towns, full of rich history and rusted, towering equipment reclaimed by
Adrena-love: Aerial dates that might literally make you fall in love (maybe!)
West Virginia is the place for adventure— which is great for a budding romance! After all, it is said that doing
6 destinations you and the little ones will love– separately
Sometimes on your getaway, you want a little time away from the kiddos. So take them to West Virginia, where
Up close— really close— with WV wildlife
Want to meet West Virginia’s wild and wonderful critters? The state is home to more than 57 species of amphibians
9 ways the outdoors beats the playground
Playing in the outdoors is the best fun of all— way better than any playground. Here in West Virginia, we
Spooky (but not too spooky!) Halloween fun for the kiddos
Halloween is a popular holiday for adults and kids alike, but some events can get a little spooky for the
These daredevils parachute off a bridge— and you can watch!
It’s no wonder Bridge Day is the largest extreme sports event of its kind in the entire world. Who wouldn’t
Best of October in WV
In fall, West Virginia’s forests and trees alight into a fiery red, yellow and orange palette. What better time to
7 things you didn’t know you could uncover in Harpers Ferry
The historic town of Harpers Ferry is perhaps best known as the site of John Brown’s famous raid on the
Great Gauley! 5 highlights on one of the world’s best stretches of whitewater
West Virginia is undeniably one of the epicenters of whitewater rafting and kayaking in the world, with the Cheat River
5 horseback riding trails where 4 legs are better than 2
Horseback riding is a great way to travel in nature. Not only do you get to interact with nature, you
7 WV adventures you’ll have to face solo… and be glad you did
Adventures are tucked into every nook and cranny of the Mountain State. Some you can enjoy together, but for others,
9 most amazing places to sleep in WV
There’s no better way to immerse yourself in West Virginia’s nature than falling asleep among the trees and under the
6 reasons a cabin is the most romantic getaway
There isn’t any doubt that a cabin getaway is the most romantic place for couples. A cozy retreat nestled in
Stamp your passport on these WV Trails! How many have you completed?
Passports, stamps, coins, geocaches– many West Virginia land management agencies, trails, and attractions have programs that will reward you with