Noted for its mountains and topography, West Virginia presents a wide range of outdoor recreational opportunities including fishing, skiing, white-water rafting and hunting. Located entirely in the Appalachian Mountain Region, the state is almost completely mountainous which is where the nickname of “The Mountain State” derived. Most of West Virginia is actually considered a plateau where rivers have carved deep valleys and gorges and given the land a rugged character. The lowlands, including the western regions of the state and the Eastern Panhandle, generally have very mild and temperate conditions while the mountainous regions, particularly the Potomac Highlands, have much cooler conditions.

The state of West Virginia has extensive natural resources, including coal, natural gas, oil, cement and salt, ranking second in total coal production in the U.S. Due to the fact that there are more than a million acres set aside in 37 state parks and in 9 state forests and 2 national forests, tourism is increasingly contributing to the state’s income.

A great destination, West Virginia includes country culture, deep valleys and steep hills, and serene retreats along with scenic vistas. You can follow any number of country roads throughout the entire state that will lead you to breathtaking sceneries and landscapes. Allow our small towns and country sides, our covered bridges and whitewater thrills, our scenic trails and historic sites bring you back to nature… back to home in West Virginia.

Major cities in West Virginia include Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg, Wheeling, Morgantown, Martinsburg and Weirton.