May 9, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Caryn Gresham
304-558-2200, ext. 347
cgresham@wvcommerce.org

It’s time to spring to West Virginia

SOUTH CHARLESTON‚ W.Va. – Lace the hiking boots, tune the mountain bikes and ATVs‚ get the camping gear and supplies in order‚ polish the golf clubs and make your way to the Mountain State.  It’s time to enjoy the warmer temperatures and longer days with an escape to the best Mother Nature has to offer anywhere east of the Mississippi River.

It’s no surprise that many visitors to West Virginia come from large metropolitan cities. With so many outdoor recreation options, West Virginia is the ideal urban-escape choice for many in the East. Approximately 80 percent of the state is covered by forest, which means every county offers quality locales to get out and enjoy nature whether it be low-impact and leisurely‚ high-adrenaline and intense‚ or somewhere in between.

West Virginia has more than 1.2 million acres of public land and that allows outdoor recreation enthusiasts time to spend an afternoon or an entire week enjoying West Virginia’s beauty without ever crossing the same point twice.

West Virginia has no East coast equal when it comes to whitewater rafting. More than two dozen outfitters are licensed by the state Division of Natural Resources to take tourists on the famed whitewater rivers in West Virginia. Those who prefer calm, mild float trips have several destinations to choose as do those who seek a rushing rapid and splash of water in the face. Many of these outfitters provide additional amenities like hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, camping and lodging so families and friends can enjoy the most of West Virginia’s outdoors over several days. The state has nearly 2,000 miles of mountain streams coursing through its land. The state’s rivers and lakes are unbeatable for beauty, history, excitement and accessibility‚ whether it’s by raft‚ boat‚ canoe or kayak.

Speaking of having the most of something‚ West Virginia is the rock-climbing destination for any east-of-the-Mississippi state. More than 1‚100 climbing routes are marked in the New River Gorge National Recreation Area and another 300-plus climbs wait on the 1‚000-foot sandstone face of picturesque Seneca Rocks.

If one prefers to move fast‚ then the 1‚000-plus miles of trails open to mountain bikes fills that void. Most of the 300 miles of the state’s converted rails-to-trails are set in wooded areas. The state’s two longest rail trails – North Bend Rail Trail and Greenbrier River Trail – are state parks. The state park system has few equals across the country with quality and diversity of outdoor offerings.

The State Park system is unparalleled when it comes to options for guests. With great spring and summer packages, weekend specials‚ four resort parks with golf courses and naturalists ready to share their knowledge of the parks‚ everyone can enjoy a getaway to the mountains.

If one wants to really move fast, then head for the southern coal counties to the Hatfield-McCoy Recreation Trail System. Here‚ 550 miles of professionally designed mapped and marked trails await ATV and dirt bike enthusiasts. Land that was once mined and timbered is now home to the country's best and most scenic off-road trails.

Golfers will never find the cookie-cutter golf courses found in flat states. West Virginia’s numerous mountain courses both challenge and charm one’s ability. Many of the game’s legendary names like Nicklaus‚ Palmer‚ Snead‚ Dye and Jones have designed courses found in West Virginia. And then there’s Oakhurst Links in Greenbrier County, the first organized golf club in America where one still plays the course with hickory stick clubs and gutta purcha golf balls and the sheep maintain the greens.

West Virginia has great recreation opportunities underground. Commercial caves such as Lost World Caverns‚ Organ Cave‚ Smoke Hole Caverns and Seneca Caverns are underground attractions that amaze thousands of visitors every year. Outfitters in West Virginia are ready to custom plan your caving adventure through these and the hundreds of non-commercial caves that provide for challenging adventures.

Call the state Tourism line at 800-CALL WVA or visit the state Web sites listed below to learn more about the ample outdoor opportunities awaiting you in West Virginia. After all, haven’t you been inside enough these last few months?

West Virginia Web sites:

www.callwva.com
www.adventuresinwv.com – Explore the Wild Side of West Virginia
wvriversports.com – Whitewater rafting‚ kayaking‚ boating‚ other water sports
wvweekends.com – Romantic getaways‚ cozy cabins‚ spas‚ B&Bs
wvgolfing.com – Golf and golf resorts‚ with a full listing of all state courses
wvbyways.com – Featuring all of the state’s designated scenic highways and byways

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Plan now to join the fun at these outdoor events

SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.VA. – Go where the action is this spring and summer. There are plenty of events statewide that will get you out of the house for a day or two of outdoor fun.

May 19 Putnam County Bridge to Ridge Bike Tour: 36-, 62- and 100-mile bike tours begin at the Putnam County Courthouse in Hurricane and follow along the ridges into Mason County. 304-562-0518 or www.putnamcounty.org/tourism

May 19 – 20 Aquafina Tour de Lake Mountain Bike Race: 15K and 30K race in the WVMBA point series in Spencer. 304-927-1780 or www.charlesfork.org

May 24 – 27 Webster County Woodchopping Festival: World champion choppers‚ axe throwing and more in Webster Springs. 304-847-7666 or www.woodchoppingfestival.com

June 1 – 3 Whistles‚ Wings and Wildflowers Weekend: Cass Scenic Railroad State Park offers birding and wildflower train excursion with nature walks‚ talk and exploration of the outdoors. 800 CALL WVA or www.cassrailroad.com

June 2 National Trial Days: Greenbrier State Forest hosts a celebration of trails. 800 CALL WVA or www.greenbriersf.com

June 2 Ridge Runners Race: North Bend State Park races include a 26.2 mile USATF-certified marathon and a 10-mile run. 800 CALL WVA or www.active.com

June 3 Ace Big Canyon Off-Road Triathlon: Swim, bike‚ run that is a challenge for the most die-hard athlete in Oak Hill. 888-223-7238 or www.aceraft.com

June 9 Captain Thurmond’s Challenge: Great outdoor event for the whole family features a 5K race and a kids’ challenge in Oak Hill. 800-927-0263 or www.captainnthurmondstriathlon.com

June 9 – 10 24 Hours at Big Bear: 24-hour team mountain bike race in Preston County. www.grannygear.com

June 29 – July 1 North Bend State Park Independence Day Celebration: Bring the whole family for a weekend of nature hikes, crafts and recreational activities. 304-643-2931 or www.northbendsp.com

June 30 – July 1 Med Express Mountaineer Triathlon: Features an Olympic distance and half-distance race including swimming‚ bike ride and run in the Morgantown area. For information: customerservice@hfpracing.com

July 6 – 7 Windfest – Kite Flying at Canaan Valley Resort State Park: Fun for the whole family with kite flying‚ stunt kite demonstrations and kite building workshops conducted by Wings Over Washington Kite Club. 800-622-4121 or www.canaanresort.com

July 6 – 8 Songer Whitewater Independence Day Celebration: Fifth annual celebration includes disc golf tournament, horseshoe tournament‚ scavenger hunt and whitewater rafting. 304-658-9926 or www.songerwhitewater.com

July 7 Kanawha State Forest – Rattlesnake 50K Run: this ultra run will challenge an athlete’s physical endurance on a variety of trails in the forest. 304-344-8342 or kanawhastateforest1@earthlink.net

July 7 Adventure Pursuit Triathlon: Choose one of several races at North Bend State Park including a triathlon with trail running, mountain biking and kayaking – short and long courses and a race for children. 740-423-7819 or www.northbendsp.com

July 8 Scenic Mountain Triathlon: Swim, bike, run triathlon held in the Monongahela State Forest. 304-846-6970 or www.richwoodwv.com

July 11 – 15 Suzuki Dirt Days on the Hatfield-McCoy Trails: Enjoy ATVs and dirt bikes on the Browning Fork Trails; mud pit‚ drag racing‚ ATV rodeo and more. 800-732-6980 or www.trailsheaven.com

July 11 – 15 Snowshoe Freedom Fest Motorcycle Rally: All-brands motorcycle rally with mountain road tours‚ activities and shotgun build-off featuring five of the region’s top custom chopper builders. 877-441-4386 or www.snowshoefreedomfest.com

July 14 Canaan Valley Resort State Park and Blackwater Falls State Park Walk between the Parks: Naturalist guided hike between the two state parks. 800-622-4121 or www.canaanresort.com

July 14 Jackson County Horse Club Horse Shows: Jackson County Horse Club will hold its horse shows on the Jackson County Fairgrounds with more than 40 English and Western classes in every show. 304-373-2286 or pheis@jacksoncountywv.com

July 20 North Bend State Park International Sports Jamboree: A weekend of fun and games for physically challenged children from all over the United States. 304-643-2931 or www.northbendsp.com

July 21 Twin Falls Resort State Park Annual Bear Hole 10K Road Race: One of the most challenging paved races around. The race has 16 age divisions for men and women and a children’s fun run. 800 CALL WVA or www.twinfallsresort.com

July 26 – 28 Bluefield Blue-Gray Horse Show: Annual show features riders from across the East coast. 304-248-7347

July 26 – 29 West Virginia Wild and Wonderful MountainFest Motorcycle Rally: Named “Best Rally of 2006” by Cycle Source magazine‚ MountainFest offers one of the ultimate rally experiences. 800-458-7373 or www.wvmountainfest.com

July 27 – Aug. 1 Little League Tournament of State Champions: Festivities include 25 games featuring the top youth baseball teams from around the world played at Mitch Stadium in Ceredo. 304-615-3354 or TOSC@mitchstadium.com

July 28 Cacapon Resort State Park Annual 5K Run/Walk Race: Challenge yourself with Cacapon’s certified course through the hills of West Virginia. 304-258-1022 or www.cacaponresort.com

July 29 Jug Handle 5K Run/Walk: Run/walk begins in Middlebourne‚ Tyler County. 304-758-2801

Aug. 6 – 12 Betty Puskar Futures Golf Tournament: The Pines Country Club, Morgantown, hosts this annual tournament which benefits the Betty Puskar Breast Care Center at West Virginia University. 304-293-0518 or www.morgantownfutures.com

Aug. 18 Jackson County Horse Club Horse Shows: Jackson County Horse Club will hold its horse shows on the Jackson County Fairgrounds with more than 40 English and Western classes in every show. 304-373-2286 or pheis@jacksoncountywv.com

Aug. 23 – 26 Pete Dye West Virginia Classic: The National Mining Association Pete Dye Classic is held at the Pete Dye Golf Club, Bridgeport. 304-848-2027 or www.petedyeclassic.com

Aug. 25 West Virginia Appaloosa Horse Club Horse Show: Horse shows at the Jackson County Fairgrounds‚ Ripley. 304-372-2355.

Aug. 26 ACE New River Bike Fest: Test yourself on fast single track that twists through the West Virginia mountains and along the rim of the New River Gorge with races for adults and children. 888-223-7238 or www.aceraft.com

Aug. 30- Sept. 3 National ATV and Dirt bike Rally Week: Ride your ATV and dirt bike on the Pinnacle Creek Trails around Pineville. 800-732-6980 or www.trailsheaven.com