Surrounded by the Appalachians, the mountain State of West Virginia has a history of poverty and physical isolation. Today, however, tourists flock to this beautiful region to enjoy historic sightseeing and an abundance of recreational sports, including skiing and other wintersports, mountain-biking, whitewater rafting, hiking and fishing. At the historic town of Harper’s Ferry, the site of John Brown’s rebellion in 1859, numerous fine museums run exhibits on slavery and the Civil War. More than 200 festivals, fairs, special events, tournaments and races celebrate and showcase the culture and heritage of West Virginia. Whitewater rafting is a favourite activity at the New River Gorge National River, which winds its way through the Appalachians. The Monongahela National Forest occupies a vast area in the eastern part of the State and includes the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area. Home to bears and deer, Monongahela offers over 500 campsites and miles of hiking trails. West Virginia also boasts some of the nation’s best State parks, with good naturalist programmes and recreational facilities. These include four resort State parks, complete with lodges, cabins, swimming pools, championship golf courses, restaurants and additional amenities. Other attractions include the State Capitol in Charleston, one of the finest Italian Renaissance buildings in the USA.

West Virginia has a lot to offer outdoor enthusiasts. Although the state is small, its natural areas contain diverse geographic features supporting many different activities. The eastern portion of the state contains the largest amount of public lands. Within this region is the Monongahela National Forest, which consists of 850,000 acres of hardwood and coniferous forests. The George Washington National Forest lies on the northeastern West Virginia border with Virginia. This area is characterized by the Allegheny Mountains and the highest elevations within the state. The North and South Branches of the Potomac River flow through the northern reaches of eastern West Virginia and provide a venue for rafting and kayaking. The southern region of the state contains the large communities of Charleston and Beckley. East of Beckley is the New River Gorge National River. This designation protects 50 miles of the river and provides access for canoeing, kayaking, rafting and camping. The steep-walled gorges provide excellent climbing routes. Western West Virginia is contained by the Ohio River on the west and Interstate 79 in the east.

West Virginia contains 2,000 miles of mountain streams and rivers for fishing, kayaking, rafting and canoeing. The national forests and state parks throughout the state provide numerous opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, camping and picnicking.