The best single place
Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Seventeen thousand acres of wetland at 3,200 feet — beaver, bear, snowshoe hare, and boardwalks that let you see it without wrecking it.
Full guide to Canaan Valley →Wildlife Viewing
Black bear, elk reintroduced in the southern coalfields, river otter, beaver, bobcat and one of the densest whitetail populations in the region. Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge and the Ohio River Islands refuge are the flagship viewing areas.
Elk were reintroduced to the southern coalfields beginning in 2016 after an absence of more than 140 years. The herd is managed by WVDNR and is centered on reclaimed mine land in Logan, Mingo and Boone counties.
Black bear, reintroduced elk, river otter, beaver, bobcat and one of the densest whitetail populations in the region.
Our recommendations
Where we'd send you
For eagles
The Trough
The Trough on the South Branch. Six miles of gorge with no road access, reachable by boat or by the Potomac Eagle excursion train.
Full guide to The Trough →For river life
Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge
The Ohio River Islands refuge. Herons, eagles, waterfowl and freshwater mussel beds across a chain of protected islands.
Full guide to Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge →Practical note
Elk viewing in the southern coalfields requires planning. The herd occupies reclaimed mine land with managed access rather than open public land, so arrangements should be made through WVDNR in advance.
What to know before you go
- Elk viewing is centered on the Tomblin WMA area in the southern coalfields
- Dawn and dusk on refuge roads and forest edges produce the most sightings
- iNaturalist is the best way to log and identify what you find
Regions that do it best
Highest terrain, ski areas, wilderness backpacking
Potomac Highlands
All terrain in West Virginia above 4,000 feet lies in this region, including Spruce Knob at 4,863 feet.
Off-road trail towns and reclaimed mine countrySouthern Coalfields
The five southernmost counties, where deep mining shaped the settlement pattern and, more recently, the recreation economy.
Ohio River islands and the North Bend Rail TrailMid-Ohio Valley
The Ohio River corridor and the counties inland from it.
Every place we cover for wildlife viewing
State Park · Potomac Highlands
Canaan Valley
The highest large valley east of the Mississippi, at about 3,200 feet — a 14-mile-long bowl of wetland, bog, beaver meadow and northern hardwood that behaves climatically like central Canada.
3,200 ft valley floor17,000+ ac refuge
River · Potomac Highlands
The Trough
A six-mile gorge on the South Branch of the Potomac between Romney and Moorefield with no road access — reachable only by boat or by the Potomac Eagle excursion train that runs alongside it.
6 mi no road accessBald eagles reliable
Wilderness · Potomac Highlands
Laurel Fork Wilderness
Two adjacent wilderness units, North and South, totaling around 12,000 acres along Laurel Fork — a beaver-worked stream valley with meadows, spruce and one of the quietest backpacking experiences in the state.
~12,000 ac two unitsBeaver meadows
Refuge · Mid-Ohio Valley
Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Twenty-two islands and several mainland tracts scattered along nearly 400 river miles of the Ohio, protecting some of the last relatively undisturbed island habitat on the river — critical for freshwater mussels, migratory birds and river-bottom forest.
22 islands~400 mi river span
AdvertiseThis space is available
Guides and rentals for wildlife viewing
Reserved for a West Virginia operator serving this activity. Everything above and below it is unpaid editorial.
List your business hereQuestions people ask
Are there elk in West Virginia?
Yes. Elk were reintroduced to the southern coalfields beginning in 2016 and the herd is managed by WVDNR, with viewing centered on reclaimed mine land in Logan, Mingo and Boone counties.
Organizations, agencies and resources · 10
The groups doing the actual work — access, maintenance, licensing and data. Starred entries are worth following continuously.
WV Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR)
Government
Fishing, hunting, wildlife, boating, wildlife management areas, public lands and recreation. The licensing and regulatory authority for hunting, fishing and boating statewide.
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WVDNR Wildlife Management Areas
Government
More than 80 public WMAs with boundaries, permitted uses, facilities and area-specific regulations.
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Ducks Unlimited
Nonprofit
Wetland and waterfowl habitat conservation, with Ohio River corridor projects.
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Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Nonprofit
Elk habitat conservation, relevant to West Virginia's reintroduced southern coalfields herd.
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eBird — West Virginia
Platform
Hotspot data, recent sightings, checklists and species distribution for every county in the state.
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Brooks Bird Club
Nonprofit
West Virginia's statewide birding organization. WVDNR specifically recommends it as a way to connect with other West Virginia birders.
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iNaturalist
Platform
Community species identification and biodiversity logging — the best tool for recording what you find in West Virginia.
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WVDNR Birding & Wildlife
Government
Wildlife diversity program, species information, viewing areas and non-game conservation.
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Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Federal
Wetland complex in the highest large valley east of the Mississippi — birding, wildlife viewing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
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Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Federal
Protected island chain along the Ohio main stem — paddling, birding and mussel habitat.
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