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WV Recreation by the Numbers

Fast Facts

The Smith OEDC conducts research and collects data about outdoor recreation in West Virginia. Over the past few years, we've found that the Mountain State sits on some of the best natural resources in the US. Check out these numbers!

  • 2,023 : With 2,023 miles of whitewater, West Virginia has the greatest density in the US.
  • 500+ : There are 500 climbing and boulder routes within a 10-mile radius of Morgantown, WV.
  • 1,568' : WV is the only state east of Wyoming with a true summit on Seneca Rocks.
  • 44 : Get outside with 35 state parks and 9 state forests in West Virginia.
  • 4,000+ : The New River Gorge area offers 3,500 roped climbs and 500 bouldering routes.
  • 107 : Explore more with 107 wildlife management areas.
  • 35,000 : An IMBA Ride Center, Snowshoe Highlands has 35,000 scenic acres to mountain bike.
  • 605 : Paddle 605 miles of whitewater within an hour and a half drive from Morgantown.
  • 63 : The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is America's 63rd National Park.

Take a look around Morgantown

Morgantown is West Virginia's fourth largest city with plentiful recreation resources both inside and just outside of town.

Morgantown Statistics
Drive Time Paddling: All Classes Climbing Routes & Boulder Problems Mountain Bike Trails Downhill and XC Ski Areas
Within 30-Minute Drive 13 runs 650 climbs 38 trails
Within 60-Minute Drive 51 runs 1,198 climbs 117 trails 2 ski areas
Within 90-Minute Drive 94 runs 1,400 climbs 192 trails 7 ski areas

Data from research collected by the Smith OEDC November 2020 from Mountain Project (Climbing), American Whitewater (Paddling), MTB Project (Mountain Biking), and On the Snow, SkiResort.info, XCSkiResorts.com and SkiSite.com (Skiing).

Explore outdoor recreation around Morgantown, WV.

Morgantown has many climbing, hiking, biking, and paddling areas nearby.

Want to dive into the details?

See what Morgantown has to offer

Places to visit when you arrive:

Don't miss these local places to play.

Four people bouldering at Coopers Rock State Park, WV.

Coopers Rock State Forest

Just to the east of Morgantown, Cooper’s Rock State Park offers hiking, biking, and gorgeous views and vistas to feast your eyes on. The area is known for climbing and offers some of the best top-rope and bouldering sites in the Eastern US.

Climb at Coopers
Cheat View overlook at Snake Hill WMA, WV.

Snake Hill WMA

Snake Hill has an array of fantastic overlooks, with Cheat View and Table Rock being the most accessible and well known. It is also a winter mecca for cross-country skiers! Most trails are unmarked, so it is advised for first timers to review maps or use a tracking app such All Trails.

Hike at Snake Hill
The Corio family rafting the Cheat Narrows near Kingwood, WV.

Cheat River Narrows

The Cheat Narrows offers 3 to 5 miles of beginner to intermediate paddling that is mostly available year-round as a Class II section. At high water levels, the Narrows can swell and push to a Class III. There are many places to put in and take out, or you can book a commercial outfitter.

Paddle at the Narrows