MOUNTAIN BEAUTY Oh, the snow has melted away... it’s time to get outside! In a state that’s known for jaw-dropping landscapes, where to begin? Before you go wandering through fields of blooms, here’s the inside guide to take you right to the best wildflowers, scenery, adventures and events of the season. Get out and discover the best of spring in the mountains. See the full map of WV’s best spring stops at GoToWV.com/spring.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Nature & Outdoors...... 2 Wild Mountain Flavor...... 12 Spring Events...... 16 Badges & Travel Log...... 18

GoToWV.com | 800.225.5982 | #GoToWV 1 Wildflowers | Nature & Outdoors

TIP: Blooming times will vary throughout the state, WV WILDFLOWERS depending on weather. West Virginia’s hills and valleys are bursting with hundreds It’s illegal to remove wildflowers from most parks, of wildflowers of every color and kind. Here are a few unique so please leave the beauty for others to enjoy. (Remember: a photo lasts forever!) blooms to look for, and where you might see them:

WV Classics Unique Finds CATAWBA LADY’S SLIPPERS RHODODENDRON The ornate pink lady’s slipper This WV favorite grows in pink orchid hides in boggy, secluded and purple thickets in late spring areas all around the state. You at Grandview, Coopers Rock may even be lucky enough to State Forest and Dolly Sods. spot the more elusive yellow (Our state flower, rhododendron species. maximum, blooms later in June.)

WV Classics Unique Finds TRILLIUM SUNDEW Several species of these tri- The sundew’s bright red petaled flowers grow in West tentacles lure in insects, Virginia, from deep red to white trapping them in its sticky with pink markings near the “dew.” Spot this and other center. Spot all sorts of them carnivorous plants in the along the Trail. of the Botanical Area.

WV Classics Unique Finds CRESTED IRIS BRISTLY ROSE These spreading blossoms Uncover this delicate beauty in spring up in clusters of every a few distinct ecological areas cool hue from pale blue to that mirror more northern lavender to deep violet. Be on climates (much more nothern: the lookout for them along the think Alaska or Canada), like Ice trails at . Mountain or Pike Knob preserves.

2 3 West Virginia Wildflowers | Nature & Outdoors HUNTINGTON MUSEUM OF ART WEST VIRGINIA See rare and exotic blooms at the conservatory, then hike the grounds for a look at the native plantlife. WILDFLOWERS BISSONETTE GARDENS Trace quaint brick paths through Oglebay Resort’s immaculate gardens, complete with hanging baskets and pond displays.

WILDFLOWER WALKS OSBRA EYE MEMORIAL WILDFLOWER WALKS Discover the brightest blossoms of Kanawha State Forest on walking or driving tours. SUE BROWNING WILDFLOWER HIKE See signature bluebells and up to 100 diferent wildflowers on guided treks through Chief . NEW RIVER GORGE WILDFLOWER BLOOMING BESTS WEEKEND Hike out to all the area’s secret spots for wildflowers, FRED E. BROOKS ARBORETUM enjoy artistic floral artworks and more. Stroll through 400 acres of natural forest on the trails at ’s arboretum. WILDFLOWER PILGRIMAGE Head to Blackwater Falls State Park in Davis to seek CORE ARBORETUM out the region’s rarest blooms at one of the DNR’s WVU shows of its green thumb with a variety of natural, longest-running and most beloved events. native habitats across 91 acres in Morgantown. Join one of the *Reservations Required spring hikes to learn more about these plants. HOME & GARDEN TOURS WEST VIRGINIA BOTANIC GARDEN Get exclusive access to stunning gardens at the Take in the carefully manicured magnificence of these vibrant Lewisburg Home & Garden Tour, Back Alley Garden gardens in Morgantown (and learn to grow your own.) Tour & Tea in Shepherdstown or the Annual Spring Garden Tour & Tea in Parkersburg’s Julia-Ann Square Historic District. 4 5 STATE PARKS National, State, & Local Parks | Nature & Outdoors Each of our more than 40 state parks and forests has NATIONAL, STATE & its own allure, but here are just a few reasons to stop LOCAL PARKS in this spring: CARRIAGE RIDES Take a sternwheeler cruise to Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park for a carriage ride around the extravagant mansion gardens and grounds. AERIAL TRAMS Take in a bird’s eye view from the aerial trams at Hawks Nest or Pipestem state parks, or the namesake overlooks at Pinnacle Rock or Coopers Rock state parks. DISCOVER Learn more about the history and wilderness at park nature centers, like the wildlife exhibit and coal NATIONAL PARKS museum at . Explore the wild, wonderful beauty of our nationally WATERFALLS renowned parks and forests. Some spring favorites: Discover waterfalls so grand the parks are named after them: Twin, Blackwater and falls. NATIONAL PARKS OF SOUTHERN WV The National Parks of Southern WV include 3 of the state’s OUTDOOR GAMES most serene landscapes: the , the New River Play outdoor games at the courts at Tomlinson Run Gorge and the Bluestone River. State Park, or just marvel at mother nature’s ancient HARPERS FERRY NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK hemlocks in . The famous swings through the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Take in a panoramic view LOCAL PARKS atop the Maryland Heights Trail. City parks are always abuzz with community fun! Game courts, dog parks, picnic shelters, MONONGAHELA NATIONAL FOREST amphitheaters, playgrounds— there are plenty of The Monongahela National Forest covers nearly 1 million ways to get out and play all across the state. acres, including the red-tinged bogs of Cranberry Glades and sweeping beauty of Dolly Sods.

6 7 Nature | Nature & Outdoors WV WILDLIFE CENTER NATURE Meet the Mountain State’s furry and feathered residents as they roam in their natural habitats along this nature trail and zoo in French Creek. THE GOOD ZOO Oglebay Resort welcomes new faces every spring: newborn critters! Come meet these adorable Ogle-babies. NEW RIVER BIRDING & NATURE FESTIVAL Join world-leading experts to search for more than 100 species, including neotropical and elusive birds like the Swainson’s warbler.

NATURE AND WILDERNESS WEBSTER COUNTY NATURE TOUR Enjoy a full weekend of guided wildlife exploration in BIRDING AND WILDLIFE the national forest lands near Cowen. BIRD BANDING SCENIC SURPRISES Bird lovers flock to Pricketts Fort State Park and Tygart Uncover cascading waterfalls and old-fashioned Lake State Park to get hands-on at bird banding covered bridges in the mountain countryside. Philippi workshops. Covered Bridge has a rich history, and the natural FALCONRY amphitheater of Cathedral Falls is a unique beauty. Learn the basics of this ancient art, and meet a few GET RACING! feathered friends with regular workshops at Canaan Dash along the trails with runs like the Babcock State Valley Resort State Park. Park Gristmill Grinder, Coopers Rock State Park 50K & Half Marathon, or the Wonderland Mountain Challenge in Minden. *Registration Required

8 9 Adventure | Nature & Outdoors 11 For a really unique look at the colorful valleys, just go up! go just valleys, colorful the at look unique really a For or climb one of on a zipline, the treetops through Sweep to way a beginner-friendly only via ferratas— the world’s the mountain clifs. top BOATING stand-up Kayak, water. and flat lakes the tranquil Explore will do! watercraft small any pontoon— paddleboard, ADVENTURE FISHING make lakes and 120+ fishing of streams miles 20,000+ is prime Spring Heaven. angler’s an Almost Virginia West trout! fish, the brook our state including trout, time for WHITEWATER SPRING whitewater the biggest spring brings a secret: Here’s f the boating Kick o rivers! and New on the Cheat waves Elk the down race or Festival, River the Cheat season at can also You Weekend. Wildwater Webster during River Tygart. and Potomac tube the Greenbrier, whitewater TRAILS that of spring along the trails the full palette Discover or trails, rail family-friendly Bike the state. criss-cross wilderness. the rolling deep into and hike mountain bike GOLF the but don’t forget with color, Spring is blooming challenge on our hills add an extra rolling The greens! like game greats designed by championship courses, Jack Nicklaus. and Dye Pete Arnold Palmer, THE SKY TO TAKE 10 Foraged Favorites | Wild Mountain Flavor GET A TASTE FORAGED FAVORITES COMMUNITY DINNERS FAVORITES FROM THE FOREST Try WV’s most popular wild food! Chow down in “the ramp capital of the world” during Richwood’s Feast of NOTE: Not everything in the woods is safe to eat! the Ramson, or in small towns like Helvetia, Buckhannon Always be careful and consult an expert when foraging. and Pickens. FORAGE + FEAST RAMPS Join the WV Mushroom Club’s annual foray, where you These garlicky wild onions are an can try some fully-cooked wild dishes and forage fungi Appalachian favorite. They pack for yourself (with pro guides to help you spot ‘em.) a strong flavor— and scent! RAMP UP! Round up a big bushel of wild onions from your ATV with the Elkhorn Inn & Theater’s foodie foraging series, or just get a taste at the breakfast table. WILD EATS EVENT WILD MUSHROOMS Uncover all the forest’s finest at Hillsboro’s Wild Edibles Morels, also known as “Molly Festival. Not only will you learn how to find a wild feast, Moochers,” are a springtime you can also learn how to cook it! treat. If you miss their short RAMPS AND RAIL FESTIVAL season, seek out chanterelles Sample creative dishes like ramperoni rolls, then take a or “chicken of the woods.” scenic ride on the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad. CAMP CREEK LUMBERJACK COMPETITION & RAMP FEAST Fuel up at the ramp feast before the wood choppin’ at . DANDELIONS & GREENS RAMPS TO-GO Take Appalachia’s favorite onion home! Stock up on Yup, those pesky weeds are ramp wine from Kirkwood Winery, moonshine from actually delicious! They’re one Heston Farm, and jelly from Woodbine Jams & Jellies! of many flavorful wild salad toppings.

12 13 More Fresh Flavors | Wild Mountain Flavor 15

fair in White Sulphur Springs. in White fair SIPPIN’ SPRING WINES fruity flavors but our sweet, all styles, Our vintners craft and Wine the Martinsburg at best Sip the a treat. are Daniel Vineyards, at Festival Spring Wine Arts Festival, & Spirits Trail. Wine or along the WV BREWS BLOOMIN’ Appalachia the Greater at weather the lovely Cheers to in Clarksburg. Festival Beer Craft MOUNTAIN FLAVOR MOUNTAIN MARKETS FARMERS can and you heritage, our agricultural for known is WV of fresh bushels and gather Meet growers why. taste the state. across markets at produce FESTIVAL MAPLE SYRUP WV long-running Pickens’ at sweetness the Celebrate the state. across Day Maple or during WV festival, FESTIVAL LEWISBURG CHOCOLATE with town, through way your Taste crazy! Go cocoa along all events demos and chocolate-themed pastry the way. FESTIVAL STRAWBERRY WV contests parties, entertainment, of parades, A full week strawberry-style! treats, course) and (of BAKE-OFF PEPPERONI ROLL decide (after You snack best? favorite does WV’s Who Festival. Rivers Three Fairmont’s at tasting!) FESTIVAL DANDELION wishes! it grants forgetting You’re a weed? Just this country dandelion at gutsy the hearty, Celebrate

FLAVORS MORE FRESH FRESH MORE 14 Best Spring Events DOGFEST SPRING EVENTS Bring your pooch for some pampering and playtime! Get his tail wagging with groomers, puppy parades, treats, handcrafted toys and more in Shepherdstown. FESTIVAL OF INSPIRATION If the grand Palace of Gold in Moundsville doesn’t inspire you enough, the traditional Hare Krishna music, dancing, feasting and devotional presentations will. SPRING MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL Relive the ol’ springtime classics at the boxcar races and a fishing derby in Petersburg. HERITAGE FARM SPRING FESTIVAL Celebrate the arts of yesteryear with crafting and activities from the olden days in Huntington. DANCE, DANCE! + FESTIVALL Watch WV’s most talented dancers at the capital city’s PREVIEW WEEKEND WV Dance Festival, or try out some footwork of your Some of Charleston’s biggest arts events join the Vandalia own along the Mountain Dance Trail. Gathering for FestivALL preview weekend. Enjoy the SCOTTISH FESTIVAL & CELTIC GATHERING Festiv-ALT concert, Taste-of-ALL dine around and more alongside this all-out old-time heritage celebration. Bridgeport’s Scottish ancestry brings us bagpipes, kirkin’ o’ the tartans, hammer throw contests, sheep GEORGE WASHINGTON’S BATHTUB herding and more. CELEBRATION ALL TOGETHER ARTS WEEK Celebrate our nation’s first spa town— and our first president’s favorite soaking spot— by saving a few Two Certified Arts Communities, Princeton and Washingtons in your wallet! Enjoy special deals at the spas Bluefield, team up to take over both towns with of Berkeley Springs. creativity— performances, parades and more! NORTH BEND BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL GALLERY HOPS Mountain musicians will be pickin’ away the weekend at Enjoy the weather with monthly art hop events like . Lewisburg’s First Fridays After Five, Downtown Charleston ArtWalks and Huntington Final Friday Art Crawls.

16 For spring event information, visit GoToWV.com 17 Journal | Badges & Travel Log Parks Can you gather all of WV’s spring badges? Find out where to I EXPLORED get them at GoToWV.com/badges, and log your journey here! (national, state, or city park) PARKS FUL WES ER T D V N IR O G

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18 19 LOOKING FOR MORE SPRING FUN? There’s plenty more to discover in West Virginia this spring!

More wildflowers, more wild mountain flavor and way more gatherings. Come enjoy the fine weather and mountain beauty.

Explore the full map of best events, activities, attractions and more across the state at GoToWV.com/spring.

GoToWV.com | 800.225.5982 | #GoToWV

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