Explore West Virginia

Explore West Virginia operates as a directory and travel guide dedicated to the state's hunting, fishing, and outdoor retail landscape. Rather than operating retail locations themselves, the site curates information about legendary outfitter stores across the Mountain State—preserving knowledge of where locals and visitors find quality gear rooted in Appalachian tradition.

The directory highlights outfitters across multiple regions:

Major Featured Retailers: - Adventures on the Gorge (Fayetteville) - Full-service outfitter and resort near New River Gorge National Park with technical apparel, local goods, and expert advice on whitewater rafting, ziplining, and rock climbing - Water Stone Outdoors (Fayetteville) - Family-run since the 1990s, specializing in technical climbing gear, footwear, and camping equipment with expert staff who are active climbers and guides - Cabela's Triadelphia (near Wheeling) - Large-scale retail featuring indoor mountain displays, gun library, archery range, and extensive hunting and fishing selection - The Outdoorsman's Shop (Fairmont) - Decades-serving hunters and anglers offering gunsmithing, bow tuning, seasonal gear, and old-school personal service - Sporting Goods Discounters (Clarksburg) - Long-standing outfitter delivering hunting, fishing, and camping equipment with personalized service - Blackwater Outdoor Adventures (St. George) - Paddling outfitter near Blackwater Falls State Park offering kayak/raft rentals, guided adventures, and river gear - Mountain State Outfitters (Morgantown) - Premium retailer stocking Patagonia, The North Face, and Osprey with staff offering insider trail knowledge - Appalachian Outpost (Fayetteville) - Specializes in locally made apparel, handcrafted goods, and West Virginia artisan products - Backwater Guns & Outfitters (Hurricane) - Premium firearms and archery equipment with curated inventory and specialized West Virginia terrain expertise

Explore West Virginia positions itself as preserving West Virginia's outdoor heritage—documenting where authentic craftsmanship, local expertise, and mountain traditions remain alive in retail spaces.

The directory emphasizes that these outfitters do more than sell gear—they represent a way of life rooted in Appalachian self-reliance and outdoor culture. It's documentation of community-driven businesses serving hunters, anglers, climbers, paddlers, and hikers across multiple regions of the state.

Unlike national retail directories, Explore West Virginia prioritizes locally-owned shops and family operations alongside regional chains, highlighting how each location preserves specific aspects of the state's outdoor tradition—whether through gunsmithing services, community events, sustainable product curation, or handcrafted local goods.