Ride the white water between sheer sandstone cliffs, or paddle through morning mist on a serene lake. Bike along meandering country roads, river-winding rail trails or single tracks down steep mountainsides.

Lie back and watch sparkling night skies, or look all around you for diverse botanical wonders. Admire mile after mile of unspoiled splendor in every season—from breathtaking mountain vistas to quiet glades of rhododendron and bird song.

Relax in thousands upon thousands of acres of well-kept state parks and national park forests. Nature is always nearby in West Virginia.

Capital City Charleston is the capital city of West Virginia, with a metropolitan population of over 250,000. It is strategically situated at the intersection of three major interstates: I-64, I-77, and I-79. Charleston is the "most northern" of the Southern cities and the "most southern" of the Northern cities. Its romantic past was full of such contradictions, contrasts and conflicts. Today, Charleston is confident, colorful and cosmopolitan.

Climate
West Virginia has four distinct seasons. In the low-lying areas and valleys, including the western regions of the state and the Eastern Panhandle, winters are mild and summers are warm but pleasant. In the central portions of the state and the more mountainous areas, including the Potomac Highlands, winters are colder, with a greater chance of snow, and summers are mild.

The Potomac Highlands, which runs north to south along the eastern spine of the state, is the great outdoors, waiting for you to explore—on skis, on a bike, on foot, in canoes, at the end of a rope or underground. At the end of a day of adventure, head to a resort, mountain lodge or a cozy bed and breakfast, or camping under the stars.

The New River/Greenbrier Valley of southeastern West Virginia offers breathtaking mountain views, incredible whitewater, some of the state's most scenic public parks and lodges, a centuries-old spa legacy, miles of hiking and biking trails and historic towns where coal and the railroads were once king.

The Eastern Panhandle, the northeastern tip of West Virginia, is just an hour from Eastern metropolitan areas. Yet the rolling countryside will transport you to picturesque towns, elegant inns and bed and breakfasts, spas, and plenty of shopping, from incredible discount malls to antique malls to fine handcrafts.

Mountaineer Country, in north central West Virginia, is an intriguing mix of pioneer forts, covered bridges, ethnic festivals, university sports, scenic trails and white water thrills. Arts, crafts, antiques and culture also are sprinkled in the small cities and towns that dot the region.

The Northern Panhandle, the northernmost tip of West Virginia, is a crossroads of history and modern pleasures. In Wheeling, Independence Hall, Centre Market and the rows of Victorian homes, history comes alive. At Oglebay Resort, you'll find every recreational diversion under the sun.

The Mountain Lakes is the heartland of West Virginia. There are deep, blue lakes, clean, clear air, starry nights, and the beauty of nature at its unspoiled best. Small towns and state parks, many with historic backdrops, beckon visitors who truly want a change of scenery and a change of pace.

The Metro Valley may have city lights, but it also has the style, warmth and accessibility of small towns. There are art, history and children's museums; theater, music and dance; sophisticated shopping and the lure of glass. In the countryside surrounding the cities, there are state parks and forests, historical monuments and a dash of coal history.

The Mid-Ohio Valley is small towns and countryside, hiking and biking, hunting and fishing, glass and history. In Parkersburg, the scandalous Blennerhassetts come back to life at their island state park, and the oil and gas boom is remembered in museums and historic districts. Glass takes center stage at Fenton and crafts are front row in Ripley.

Bicycling
West Virginia offers a wide variety of mountain cycling experiences, both on the highway and off-road. In West Virginia, beautiful scenery lies around every bend in the road. Perhaps that is what makes it an ideal cycling destination. The mountains provide challenging climbs and scenic rides while the valleys and farmlands make for ideal touring. Many races throughout the year offer great opportunities to experience the best rides.

Scenic highways you may wish to explore are the Highland Scenic Highway, 150 miles from the Cranberry Visitor Center to just north of Edray; the Highland Trace, 55 miles from Richwood to the Virginia border; and the Midland Trail Scenic Highway, U.S. 60 from Charleston to White Sulphur Springs.

East-west routes of note include U.S. 50 from Parkersburg, West Virginia, to Winchester, Virginia, and U.S. 33 from Mason, West Virginia, to Harrisonburg, Virginia. State Route 92 provides a challenging north-south course from White Sulphur Springs to Morgantown. (Most of the aforementioned are two-lane highways, and cyclists should exercise caution when using them.)

West Virginia has also been hailed as a world class destination for mountain biking enthusiasts due to the abundance of trails, beautiful scenery, and variety of terrain. From the miles of trails traversing the 900,000 acres of the Monongahela National Forest to the 76 miles of the Greenbrier River Trail, a world of mountain biking excitement is waiting in West Virginia.

Golf
The Legends of Golf Trail in eastern West Virginia offers golfers the opportunity to plan a memorable golf trip through West Virginia, the Mountain State. These six courses are mountain courses that present different challenges than those on level land. Spring, summer and fall, golfers can enjoy their favorite game on courses built amidst some of the most breathtaking mountain scenery in the United States.

From high-mountain fairways to tees with a view of the Greenbrier Valley, West Virginia offers golfers the best that the mountains have to offer. This trail provides an opportunity to experience some of the best courses in the Mid-Atlantic all in one trip. So come on, and find out what West Virginia golf is all about!

Boating
West Virginia is a perfect destination for boaters and canoeists from novice to expert. Our rivers and lakes offer ideal conditions for families and beginners to experience all that West Virginia’s natural surroundings have to offer. Whether fishing, sightseeing, or simply paddling around, our rivers and lakes provide boaters with a wonderful outdoor adventure. Our waters not only lead canoeists through breathtaking mountains and miles of scenic shoreline, but also provide advanced paddlers with an opportunity to test their skills on some of the best rivers in the country.

Fishing
Fishing is a time-honored tradition in West Virginia. An extensive trout-stocking program, that supplies over 180 streams and impoundments with trout each year, provides anglers with year-round fishing opportunities. Many catch-and-release and fly-fishing-only areas provide some of the best fly-fishing in the east. Float trips for smallmouth bass are very popular on many rivers as well, and the Mountain Lakes region is home to super largemouth bass fishing.

Hiking
West Virginia’s varied terrain is laced with miles of trails. From historic rail trails such as the Greenbrier River and North Bend to the scenic trails of our state park system and the backcountry experiences within the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia is rich with hiking and backpacking opportunities. The popular Appalachian Trail becomes part of West Virginia in the Eastern Panhandle and the Allegheny Trail winds over 300 miles from the Mason-Dixon Line to the Appalachian Trail in southern West Virginia.

Rock-Climbing
Whether experiencing a view of the New River Gorge from "The Endless Wall" or a breathtaking look of the Potomac Highlands from atop the 1,000-foot sandstone face of Seneca Rocks, one thing is certain: West Virginia is a rock climber’s paradise. Outfitters provide lessons and expeditions to many of the state’s most popular climbs.

Whitewater Rafting
Thrilling, exhilarating, exciting, and even relaxing: whitewater rafting is all of this and more. Rafting can run the gamut from a challenging adventure to a calm, peaceful float trip that allows you to appreciate spectacular scenery.

West Virginia, AMERICA'S BEST WHITEWATER, offers nearly 2,000 miles of mountain streams coursing through the fabled Appalachians. Our rivers are unbeatable for beauty, history, excitement and accessibility to anyone with a sense of adventure and a love of the outdoors. No experience is necessary, as guides direct the paddlers through foaming whitewater, steering between rocks and over splashing waves. Abandoned coal mining towns, scenic waterfalls and tall tales from your guides are among the added attractions.

Whitewater rapids have been classed according to their difficulty, from I to VI. Novices can run I to II stretches without guides, while segments classed II to V require real paddling skills and/or leadership such as provided by professional outfitters. Class VI water poses the utmost challenge.

Culture
West Virginia is a border state, in many senses of the phrase - a melting pot of North and South, East and West, industrial development and agrarian lifestyles, ancient folkways and technological wonders.

The centuries have brought waves of different peoples. Native Americans used these hills as a hunting ground. Antebellum spa visitors flocked to the mineral springs that still bubble in the mountains. Union and Confederate armies fought fierce battles here. A rich diversity of immigrants flowed into West Virginia to work in its oil and gas, timber, coal, railroad and glass industries. Each of these cultures influenced the people who call West Virginia home.

West Virginians celebrate food, crafts, music, dance, ethnic cultures, history and just about every other good thing you can imagine. There are festivals for apple butter and antiques, buckwheat and bass, chili and coal, dandelions and dulcimers - well, you get the idea.

Summer and fall are the seasons for county fairs all over the state, and the West Virginia State Fair has been a Lewisburg tradition for more than 75 years.

Join in. Eat, drink, dance, sing and share stories with West Virginians. Take time to savor the rich cultural mix that makes the Mountain State the special place it is. And come back soon.