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National Hunting and Fishing Days

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources is hosting a National Hunting and Fishing Days Celebration on September 10-11, 2022.

Nathaniel Mountain-WMA

The Perfect Spots for Wildlife Watching in Almost Heaven

West Virginia is known for being wild and wonderful. The state’s wide variety of elevation and terrain provides opportunity for

West Virginia State Parks

These Almost Heaven Views are Perfect – in Spring or Snow!

Whether the Mountain State is covered in sparkling snow or lush greenery, the views the state provides never disappoint. Here

These are the 9 best spots to go fishing in West Virginia

Throughout West Virginia, incredible fishing opportunities are located at every turn of the river. With over 20,000 miles of streams

Where to Unplug in Almost Heaven

West Virginia is known for its scenic and peaceful landscape. From sleeping in a tree house to spending a day

33 Things To Do On Route 33

Take a drive through scenic, rolling hills on Route 33 in Upshur, Lewis and Randolph counties to experience 33 unique

7 Days, 7 Ways to Celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week

May 5-11, 2019 is National Travel and Tourism Week—an occasion established by congressional resolution 35 years ago to celebrate the

You’ll never believe what West Virginia’s state fossil is

  You’ve heard of the state animal (black bear) and the state tree (sugar maple) … but did you know

What’s a “panhandle”? Explore West Virginia’s most northern and eastern arms

Out of all 50 states, West Virginia has the most distinct shape, with two panhandles extending to the north and

Lantz Farmhouse

Meet these birds up close during migration season

Meet some of the most dramatic and colorful birds in West Virginia. From vast forests to isolated canyons, the Mountain

Town Guide: Point Pleasant

Situated at the confluence of the Kanawha and Ohio rivers, Point Pleasant has long been an important transportation hub, dating

Earn that spa dip: 6 adventures near the nation’s first spa town

There’s more to Berkeley Springs than the soothing, historic mineral waters. The mountain-shrouded hamlet is also a hub for outdoor

The best wildlife spotting is a little off the shore

Spot some of our nation’s most regal creatures on a wildlife safari across the islands of a remote National Refuge.

Where to spot 9 rare and regal birds in the wild

West Virginia is a hotbed for unique and rare bird sightings. In addition to its own resident raptors and songbirds,

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

Wildlife Diversity Program

Wildlife Diversity is a program of the WV Division of Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Section. It researches, conserves and provides

Valley Bend Wetlands – WMA – Randolph

Wild Life management area located in Randolph County. 15 miles south of Elkins via State Routes 219/250.

Turkey Run Lake- WMA- Jackson

15 acre lake. Located on Rt. 68 just north of Ravenswood. Maximum depth of 9 feet, and an average depth

Teter Creek Lake Wildlife Management Area – Barbour

137 acres – Hunting limited due to size of area. Teter Creek Lake provides trout and warmwater fishing. Boat launch

Stonewall Jackson -WMA-Lewis

Wild life management area located in Weston, Lewis County. Access the area by using I-79 Exits 91 and 96.

Stonecoal Lake-WMA-Lewis

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA LOCATED IN LEWIS COUNTY. South of U.S. 33 and 119 between Weston and Buckhannon. The area is

Smoke Camp – WMA – Lewis

WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA LOCATED IN LEWIS COUNTY. Located on the right fork of Freemans Creek Road, access via Doddridge County

Sleepy Creek – WMA – Berkeley

Primitive camping with 60 sites. Fire rings, lantern pole and gravel parking pad. A pit type toilet and trash cans

Rollins Lake

41 acres. Located off I-77 at the Ripley Exit (138). Take Rt. 33 west 1.5 miles, then take Rt. 87

Plum Orchard Lake Wildlife Management Area

This facility is included in “A Guide to Accessible Recreation in West Virginia.” Please check the Guide or the site

Pleasant Creek WMA – Barbour/Taylor

3,030 acres. Deer, turkey, waterfowl, grouse, squirrel and rabbit species. Tygart Lake offers excellent fishing. Pleasant Creek and Doe Run

Panther State Forest

Located in the rugged hills near West Virginia’s southern border with Virginia and Kentucky, Panther Wildlife Management Area offers a

Mount Storm Lake

Located at Dominion Generation Plant in Mount Storm, WV on Rt. 93. The lake is 1200 acres and used for

Meadow River-WMA-Greenbrier

Wild life management area located in Greenbrier County.

Lost River State Park

Featuring 26 vacation cabins. Nearby camping, hiking and overlook. This facility is included in “A Guide to Accessible Recreation in

Little Indian Creek WMA – Monongalia County

1,036 acres. Terrain: gently rolling (reclaimed surface mine areas) to moderately steep slopes ranging in elevation from 900 feet to

Lewis Wetzel Wildlife Management Area WMA

Wildlife management area with over 13,500 acres of moderate to steep slopes with 30 miles of trails through pristine hardwood

Laurel Lake Wildlife Management Area

This facility is included in “A Guide to Accessible Recreation in West Virginia.” Please check the Guide or the site

Lantz Farm and Nature Preserve – WMA – Wetzel

555 acres of self-guided walking trails and fishing ponds. Various habitats with diverse flora and fauna. Great for birdwatching. Restrooms

Kumbrabow State Forest

This facility is included in “A Guide to Accessible Recreation in West Virginia.” Please check the Guide or the site

Huttonsville – WMA – Randolph

Wild Life Management Area located in Huttonsville in Randolph County. South of Huttonsville, this area can be accessed from State

Hughes River – WMA

No camping permitted. Public hunting and fishing area. West Virginia department of natural resources wildlife Division and Heartwood Forest Lands

Hillcrest Wildlife Management Area

2,212 acres. Area provides excellent hunting for ring-necked pheasant, rabbit, turkey, morning dove, and deer. A 100-yard shooting range, (accessible

Handley- WMA-Pocahontas

Season: open year-round Campsites: 13 tent or trailer $10 for a group of six or fewer and $2 for each

Elk River – WMA-Braxton

The states oldest WMA. Excellent hunting for forest game. The area boasts mature forests with some old growth timber. Hunting

Cross Creek Wildlife Management Area

2081 acres. Six miles NE of Wellsburg along Co. Rt. 7 at Virginville. Gently rolling terrain to moderately steep slopes,

Cranesville Swamp Nature Preserve

At Cranesville Swamp the elements of wind, water, mountains, and temperature have created a landscape that is both beautiful and

Core Arboretum

Hiking Trails With Varied Species Of Trees, Shrubs And Wild Flowers. Some old-growth forest. Good birding. Superb wild flowers in

Castlemans Run Lake Wildlife Management Area

486 acres Hunting is permitted on the area. Lake is 22 acres, provides fishing for bluegill, catfish, muskellunge, northern pike

Burnsville Lake

Wild Life Management Area located in Burnsville, Braxton County. DNR:(304)924-6211 ARMY CORP OF ENGINEERS:(304)853-2822 (LAKE)

Bluestone Wildlife Management Area

Bluestone Wildlife Management Area offers 330 campsites along New River, Bluestone Lake and Indian Creek. It is New River at

Bluestone National Scenic River

Bluestone National Scenic River was created in 1988, to protect 10.5 miles of the Bluestone River as a free-flowing river.

Blackwater WMA-Tucker/Preston

58,978 acres – Hunting for bear, turkey, deer, hare, squirrel, and grouse. Trapping for fisher, beaver, fox, raccoon, and bobcat.

Big Ditch Lake – WMA-Webster

(388 acres) Webster County. Located one-half mile from Cowen on county Route 30, 15 miles southwest of Webster Springs. Big

Berwind Lake Wildlife Management Area

This facility is included in “A Guide to Accessible Recreation in West Virginia.” Please check the Guide or the site

Allegheny Trail

Seneca State Forest

Allegheny Wildlife Management Area – Mineral County