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By wonderfulwv 11/17/202211/17/2022 Geology/Outdoors

Mountain Stories

Striking rock formations inspire tall tales of their origins, but geology tells the story of science and the state’s deep history.

By wonderfulwv 04/07/202104/07/2021 Geology/Instagram/July 2015

Treasures in the Rock

Fossils in West Virginia are 400-million-year-old relics from an unimaginable time. This story was originally published in the July 2015 issue of  Wonderful West Virginia  magazine. To subscribe, visit  wonderfulwv.com. Written by Hope HartPhotographed by Katie Griffith Standing off to the side of a curved road, Robert Peck’s eyes are

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By wonderfulwv 03/27/202103/31/2021 Ecology/Geology/Instagram/September 2016

A Creek Runs Through It

Exploring one of West Virginia’s geologic treasures, the Sinks of Gandy. This story was originally published in the September 2016 issue of Wonderful West Virginia magazine. To subscribe, visit wonderfulwv.com. Written by Zack HaroldPhotographed by Richard Burgess The fish weren’t biting when Rick Burgess and his twin brothers Denny and

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By wonderfulwv 12/21/202012/21/2020 Geology/History/October 2017

No Stone Unturned

Not much remains of the ancient stone walls on Mount Carbon except some piles of rock and lots of questions. This is a mystery story, but not the kind with private detectives or jewel heists or purloined letters. This is something deeper, older, stranger. Along the Kanawha River, on a

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By wonderfulwv 02/14/202012/16/2021 February 2017/Geology/Preservation/Wildlife

Jefferson’s ‘Giant Claw’

How a long-extinct species of giant sloth was christened by a Founding Father and, centuries later, became our state fossil.

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Exploring the beauty, adventure & outdoor heritage of West Virginia.
📸 Photography | 📖 Stories

For our 8th annual photography issue, readers from For our 8th annual photography issue, readers from across the Mountain State shared their favorite wildlife encounters with us. The results were too good not to share!!

Thank you to everyone who submitted a photo and helped us celebrate the wild things that call West Virginia home!

📸 “Mourning Dove”
Photographed by Doug Boyce

Stay tuned—we have plenty more to share!
With a long exposure, Jackson Fancher turned the s With a long exposure, Jackson Fancher turned the steady flow of Fall Run Falls into this dreamy scene—capturing one of the Mountain State’s tucked-away treasures.

📸 Jackson Fancher | Fall Run Falls, WV

Know a hidden corner of West Virginia worth sharing? Show us what you’ve found and submit your photos for a chance to be featured! Click the link in our bio.
For our 8th annual photography issue, we asked Won For our 8th annual photography issue, we asked Wonderful West Virginia readers to send us their best wildlife photography—and you delivered! From familiar backyard visitors to incredible encounters in the wild, we loved seeing the Mountain State’s wildlife through your eyes.

Thank you to everyone who shared your wonderful images with us. 💚

📸 “Great Blue Heron”
Photographed by Michael Carpenter

Stay tuned as we share more reader-submitted favorites from this year’s photography issue!
A century ago, the Cacapon River was essentially d A century ago, the Cacapon River was essentially dead. Today, it’s one of the cleanest rivers in West Virginia!! 

It’s a remarkable comeback story shaped by returning forests, stronger water protections, and generations of people who refused to stop caring for the river they love. In “Medicine Waters,” discover the history of the Cacapon, the communities that grew along its banks, and the conservationists working to make sure its 80 miles of clean water stay that way for generations to come.

📖 Click the link in our bio to read more!
✍️ Written by Mason Jack
📸 Photographed by Tyler Evert
The face of our 8th Annual Photography Issue! 🐸📸 The face of our 8th Annual Photography Issue! 🐸📸

Meet the green frog making a splash on the cover of our August/September issue, captured by reader Erin Goddard in Wetzel County.

Each year, we ask our readers to share their best West Virginia wildlife photography, and once again, you delivered. Thank you to everyone who sent us a glimpse of the wild and wonderful creatures that call the Mountain State home! 💚

And this is just the beginning—stay tuned as we share more of the incredible reader-submitted photos featured inside this year’s issue!
When your garden guest shows up dressed for the oc When your garden guest shows up dressed for the occasion 🦋🌿

This zebra swallowtail found the perfect landing spot among the hyssop in a Shepherdstown garden—and Jane Gamble was there to catch the moment.

📸 Jane Gamble | Shepherdstown, WV

Have a little wild beauty blooming in your camera roll? Submit your West Virginia photos for a chance to be featured by Wonderful West Virginia! Click the link in our bio.
West Virginia’s state flower is looking especially West Virginia’s state flower is looking especially handsome today... okay, maybe we’re a little distracted by the model.

Dana Deardorff captured this very good boy posing proudly in front of a blooming rhododendron in Belle. 🐶🌸

📸 Dana Deardorff | Belle, WV
Annetta Whitt caught this unexpected visitor hangi Annetta Whitt caught this unexpected visitor hanging off the side of her neighbor’s porch in Mingo County—and we have a few questions about how it got there. 😂

📸 Annetta Whitt | Mingo County, WV
Special delivery!!! 🐛💚 This pileated woodpecker w Special delivery!!! 🐛💚

This pileated woodpecker was caught bringing a bite to her hungry little one in Alderson. Because apparently, "Mom, what's for dinner?" is universal. 😂

📸 Camelia Williams | Alderson, WV
Grant Bennett photographed this gray tree frog mak Grant Bennett photographed this gray tree frog making the most of a summer rain in Athens, West Virginia.

✨ Have a wildlife photo you're proud of? Submit your photos by clicking the link in our bio!
A West Virginia teenager just rewrote the record b A West Virginia teenager just rewrote the record books. 🎣🏆

At just 15 years old, Hunter Rohr landed a record-breaking golden rainbow trout on the South Branch of the Potomac River—weighing in at 11.84 pounds and surpassing the previous state record by more than two pounds!

Talk about the catch of a lifetime...

🔗 Read the full story, "A Trout to Write Home About," and learn what to do if you think you've landed a state record fish! Click the link in our bio to read more.
Jared Stewart captured the Green Bank Observatory Jared Stewart captured the Green Bank Observatory from the Allegheny Trail, showcasing one of the Mountain State's most iconic landmarks from a unique perspective!

📸 Photo by Jared Stewart, Green Bank, WV
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For our 8th annual photography issue, readers from across the Mountain State shared their favorite wildlife encounters with us. The results were too good not

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With a long exposure, Jackson Fancher turned the steady flow of Fall Run Falls into this dreamy scene—capturing one of the Mountain State’s tucked-away treasures.

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For our 8th annual photography issue, we asked Wonderful West Virginia readers to send us their best wildlife photography—and you delivered! From familiar backyard visitors

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A century ago, the Cacapon River was essentially dead. Today, it’s one of the cleanest rivers in West Virginia!! It’s a remarkable comeback story shaped

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The face of our 8th Annual Photography Issue! 🐸📸 Meet the green frog making a splash on the cover of our August/September issue, captured by

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By wonderfulwv 08/24/202608/24/2026 August / September 2026/State Parks/Wildlife/WVDNR

Hangin’ with the Herd

Elk Management Tours are back at Chief Logan State Park for 2026.  This story was originally published in the August / September 2026 issue of Wonderful West Virginia.Subscribe here. Photographed by Mark Bias Tomblin Wildlife Management Area has been the home of West Virginia’s elk population since the 2016 Elk Restoration

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August / September 2026/Wildlife/WVDNR

Meet West Virginia’s Timber Rattlesnake

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Art & Heritage/History/June / July 2026

Frontier Forts

Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

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Wonderful West Virginia Magazine
Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

Showcasing the best of West Virginia

Hangin’ with the Herd

Meet West Virginia’s Timber Rattlesnake

Medicine Waters

Frontier Forts

Where Two  Waters Meet

A Trout to Write Home About

Our Unmistakable American Emblem

Star-Spangled Celebrations

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