Outdoor Fun

West Virginia makes it easy to go outside and play. Whether you choose to hike through amazing forests, thrill to challenging whitewater, go camping under the stars, or simply visit some of the most breathtaking views in the world, you’ll find West Virginia to be most accommodating.

 

Close to Campus

 

Take a Hike – and More

Kanawha State Forest is located close to campus and offers nine trails covering more than 25 miles for hiking and biking. It also features picnic areas, a pool, and is the host for nature walk events through the year.

Coonskin Park has picnic shelters of several sizes, pond with paddle boats and friendly ducks, golf course, miniature golf. During the holiday season, Coonskin has a drive-through light display to celebrate.

The Sunrise Carriage Trail begins at the foot of the hill behind the C&O Train Depot (listed on the National Register of Historic Places). The hiking trail features several historical markers, including the graves of two female Civil War spies and a memorial to Christa McAuliffe. During the FestivALL celebration in the summer and the fall, the Trail features performances along the way.

Little Creek Park, located in South Charleston, also offers hiking trails. If you take the Loop Trail, be sure to visit the Devil’s Tea Table, an amazing rock formation. You can also enjoy Frisbee Golf at Little Creek.

 

Outdoor Events

If the Golden Eagles aren’t playing but you want to watch a game, the GoMart Ball Park, home of the Dirty Birds minor league baseball team, can be just the thing. The season lasts through the end of September.

Live at the Levee – free riverfront concerts throughout the summer, located downtown.

The Shawnee Sports Complex, located in Institute (near the campus of WV State University), offers soccer fields, basketball courts, baseball/softball courts, a pool, clubhouse and picnic shelters.

 

Further from Campus

Visit https://wvtourism.com/ for a little of road trips that will have you traveling through history, visiting small towns, or exploring some of the state’s most incredible views.

For outside adventurers, West Virginia has 35 scenic state parks, 9 state forests, three rail trails, and lots of fun during all four seasons.  Accommodations can range from a mountain lodge, cabin, campground – even a fire tower for a one-of-a-kind adventure.

Grab your gloves and snow gear – Winterplace Ski Resort, Canaan Valley Resort and Snowshoe Mountain Resort offer skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and more, including equipment rental, lessons, and warm lodges for after snow hot cocoa. These resorts also offer warm weather options as well, including golf and hiking.

Fall and spring bring their own adventures, with hiking, fishing, boating, kayaking, rock climbing, and more. West Virginia offers miles of trails to explore, whether you are on foot, on two wheels, a four-wheeler, or horseback. Trails range from fairly flat and easy to more challenging treks.

If you want to try zip lining, you can take a canopy tour that will have you soaring through the trees. Or if 18 holes is more of your kind of challenge, West Virginia has over 100 golf courses to choose from.

A little over an hours’ drive north, Summersville Lake, the state’s largest lake, offers 2,800 acres of water and 60 miles of shoreline. You can enjoy boating, swimming, fishing, great spots for a picnic, and biking. Rock climbing and whitewater rafting are available as well.

 

Did you know? Nearly 75 percent of West Virginia is covered by forest land. It not only makes the state beautiful, but it also creates opportunities for recreation of many types.