West Virginia Explorer Magazine

10/27/2026

Think you've missed the best of West Virginia's fall foliage? Peak color has arrived across much of the state, but some of autumn's most beautiful scenery may still lie ahead.

As leaves fall, sunlight streams deeper into the forest, illuminating the remaining foliage like stained glass. It's a different kind of autumn beauty worth getting outdoors to enjoy.

Follow the link in the comments to see where the color is now and why November can be a wonderful time to explore West Virginia.

10/27/2026

When does a barking dog become a public nuisance? Persistent barking can disrupt sleep, increase stress, and interfere with working from home. In West Virginia, some communities are taking action.

Fayetteville's recently amended barking-dog ordinance has sparked debate among residents, while Clarksburg has established specific limits on prolonged barking. But what can residents do when the problem occurs outside city limits?

Read the full story in the comments below.

10/27/2026

Planning a winter visit to New River Gorge National Park? Two roads will close in November, restricting access to popular fishing areas, campgrounds, and hiking trailheads through March 25, 2027.

Cunard Road closes Nov. 9, followed by Glade Creek Road on Nov. 10. Some nearby trails and camping areas will remain open. (More information is provided in the comments below.)

10/25/2026

How much is a mature shade tree worth to your home? Mature trees can add thousands of dollars to property values, reduce energy bills, and keep neighborhoods cooler.

In West Virginia, where wooded surroundings help attract new residents, the findings are especially relevant. However, a nationwide study found that wealthier neighborhoods have significantly more tree cover than lower-income communities. (Read the full report in the comments.)

10/22/2026

Could Bigfoot be hiding in the forests of West Virginia?

West Virginia ranks second nationally for potential Bigfoot sightings in a new study that examines historical reports, forest coverage, and climate conditions.

10/21/2026

The New River Gorge is no longer America's newest national park, but tourism leaders say its future is as promising as ever. (The full story is linked in the comments below.) As Arizona welcomes the nation's 64th national park, southern West Virginia tourism officials are looking ahead, highlighting the New River Gorge's accessibility, outdoor recreation, historic communities, and growing appeal to travelers.

Three tourism leaders share with WVExplorer.com what comes next for America's 63rd national park.

10/21/2026

West Virginia's native pawpaws could have a bigger commercial future as new federal grants help researchers develop pawpaw food products, expand forest farming, and give small growers more ways to bring their harvests to market. Eight projects across the Mountain State are receiving funding. (Full story in the comments.)

10/20/2026

West Virginia's mountains have become a medieval kingdom! Filmed partly at the West Virginia Renaissance Festival near Lewisburg, The Kingdom of Rexmonte features horseback adventures, sword battles, and a fictional royal family caught in an invasion.

10/19/2026

About 40,000 pounds of trout will be stocked in nearly 40 lakes and streams during the last two weeks of October (story in the comments), including popular fishing waters near the New River Gorge and in the Monongahela National Forest.

Anglers will also have a chance to catch a specially tagged trout that is worth a lifetime fishing license. See where the trout are being stocked and what anglers need to know.

10/17/2026

Elizabeth Winn Blake's séances (full story in the comments) attracted doctors, skeptics, and investigators. In one remarkable experiment, a voice reportedly identified an object hidden inside a sealed box. In another, a voice claiming to be the deceased wife of West Virginia's governor predicted a change in his travel plans.