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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 01/11/202201/20/2022 State Forests/State Parks

A Mountain State Starry Night

Watoga State Park is known for its darkness. The park is pitch black at night. Stargazers have enjoyed the view since it opened to the public in July 1937.

By wonderfulwv 10/15/2021 Ecology/Hunting/Outdoors/Wildlife/WVDNR

A Wildlife Enthusiast’s Wish Come True

The state Division of Natural Resource’s recent efforts significantly increased wildlife management areas in one district where they’ve been scarce.

By wonderfulwv 04/14/202104/14/2021 April 2017/Ecology/Education/Preservation/Wildlife

Dogwood Days

This spring, take time to discover West Virginia’s many species of dogwood—and their importance to their ecosystems. This story was originally published in the April 2017 issue of Wonderful West Virginia. written by Mikenna Pierotti It’s the last few days of April, and with them the last of the early morning

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By wonderfulwv 02/09/202102/16/2021 January 2020/Outdoors/Wildlife/WVDNR

The Carnivores of the Sky

Home to 21 species, West Virginia is teeming with raptors.

By wonderfulwv 02/09/202102/16/2021 Outdoors/Preservation/Wildlife

Blue, but Not the Bayou

Forget Cajun country. West Virginia is the place for blue crayfish.

By wonderfulwv 05/08/2020 April 2017/Photo Gallery/Wildlife

April 2017 Photo Gallery

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wonderfulwestvirginia

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

🥾 Happy National Trails Day! 🌿 West Virginia is h 🥾 Happy National Trails Day! 🌿

West Virginia is home to thousands of miles of trails, but everyone has that one favorite.
Tell us: What's your favorite trail in West Virginia? ⬇️

📸 "Strength of Few" by Cheyenne Wolfe
📍 Dolly Sods Wilderness, WV
Late Mr. Tommy Adkins standing beside his 30-year- Late Mr. Tommy Adkins standing beside his 30-year-old rhododendron in Spring of 2025 in Wyoming County, WV 🌸

📸 Do you have rhododendron photos from around Almost Heaven? We’d love to see them! 

Submit your favorite blooms for a chance to be featured-- click the link in our bio!
“Perfect Beauty hiding by the trail” 🌿✨ 📸 Arina B “Perfect Beauty hiding by the trail” 🌿✨

📸 Arina Beauchamp
📍 Gateway Trail near Cranberry River, Nicholas County, WV

Spotted something beautiful on your West Virginia adventures? Send us your favorite nature photos for a chance to be featured!
This is your sign to finally submit that wildlife This is your sign to finally submit that wildlife photo sitting in your camera roll. 📷

Selected photographers will be featured in the magazine and receive:
✨ A complimentary issue
✨ A free one-year subscription

📅 Deadline: June 21, 2026

Click the link in bio to enter.
Dinner on the go 🦉🦞 “A Barred Owl takes flight wi Dinner on the go 🦉🦞

“A Barred Owl takes flight with its freshly caught crayfish.”
📸 Jane Gamble
📍 Charles Town, WV
Every year, photographers from across the Mountain Every year, photographers from across the Mountain State help us showcase the beauty of West Virginia wildlife—from tiny tree frogs to soaring bald eagles. Now it’s your turn.🦅🐸

Submit your best wildlife photo for a chance to be featured in Wonderful West Virginia’s August/September Wildlife Photography Issue.

📅 Entries close June 21
📸 One submission per applicant
ℹ️ Photos must be high-res, full-color JPGs

Click the link in our bio to submit! We can’t wait to see what you’ve captured.
The red wolf is the most endangered wolf on the pl The red wolf is the most endangered wolf on the planet—and right here in West Virginia, the team at is helping fight to bring it back from the brink. 🐺

With fewer than 30 red wolves left in the wild, conservationists, veterinarians, and zoo staff across the country are working together to protect one of North America’s rarest apex predators. Since 1990, @OglebayGoodZoo has helped raise 25 red wolf pups as part of the national recovery effort.

📖 Click the link in our bio to read more.
📸: MINDI WHITE, OGLEBAY GOOD ZOO, B. BARTEL/USFWS
From black bears and bobcats to salamanders, songb From black bears and bobcats to salamanders, songbirds, and butterflies—we want to see West Virginia through your lens! 🦋🦅🐻

Wonderful West Virginia’s 8th Annual Wildlife Photography Issue is now accepting reader submissions for our August/September issue!

If your photo is selected, you’ll receive:
✔️ A complimentary copy of the magazine
✔️ A FREE one-year subscription
✔️ The chance to have your work featured in print

📅 Deadline: June 21, 2026
📍 Must feature native West Virginia wildlife
📸 One submission per applicant

Click the link in our bio to submit your photo!
From quiet streams to mountain overlooks, we want From quiet streams to mountain overlooks, we want to see West Virginia through your lens!

📸 Donald L. Brookover
📍 Wetzel County, WV

Submit your favorite photos for a chance to be featured: click the link in our bio!
West Virginia sunsets just hit different ✨ 📸 Lei West Virginia sunsets just hit different ✨ 

📸 Leigh Roten
📍 Barboursville Park

Got a view worth sharing? Submit your favorite Almost Heaven photos for a chance to be featured-- click the link in our bio!
Melinda Barrett caught a little sunshine and a bus Melinda Barrett caught a little sunshine and a busy bee in Hurricane, WV. 🐝🌻

📸 Got a photo that captures life in Almost Heaven? Submit your favorite West Virginia shots for a chance to be featured-- click the link in our bio!
“Love is in the air during spring by the creek.” — “Love is in the air during spring by the creek.” — 📸 Darian Thompson

Have a beautiful West Virginia moment captured on camera? Submit your photos for a chance to be featured on our page or in a future issue of Wonderful West Virginia-- click the link in our bio!
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Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

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Late Mr. Tommy Adkins standing beside his 30-year-old rhododendron in Spring of 2025 in Wyoming County, WV 🌸 📸 Do you have rhododendron photos from

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Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

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“Perfect Beauty hiding by the trail” 🌿✨ 📸 Arina Beauchamp 📍 Gateway Trail near Cranberry River, Nicholas County, WV Spotted something beautiful on your West

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Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

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This is your sign to finally submit that wildlife photo sitting in your camera roll. 📷 Selected photographers will be featured in the magazine and

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Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

5 days 8 hours ago

Just a little snack break on the Capitol grounds 🐿️🥜

📸 Melinda Barrett
📍 West Virginia State Capitol

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Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

1 week 1 day ago

Dinner on the go 🦉🦞

“A Barred Owl takes flight with its freshly caught crayfish.”
📸 Jane Gamble
📍 Charles Town, WV

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Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

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Wonderful West Virginia Magazine
Wonderful West Virginia Magazine

Showcasing the best of West Virginia

On the Edge

Wonderful West Virginia’s Eighth Annual Wildlife Photography Issue Submission Form

Mother’s Day: The Vision and Regrets of Its Founder

Science for Citizens

A Taste of Tradition

Rail to Water

An Ambling Spirit

Behind the Lens 

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