Are you tired of the cold weather and can’t wait to store your sweaters and boots back in your closet?
Luckily, spring is finally upon us. Despite the set of circumstances we are in during the new “normal” per COVID-19, there are plenty of ways you can celebrate the change of seasons close to home.
Break out the kayaks and canoes
Monongahela River: View the City of Morgantown from a different perspective. There are various access points for a safe put-in, which include the Star City Riverfront Park or Van Voorhis access point at the end of Van Voorhis Road.
Big Sandy Creek: Five miles of slow-moving water. There’s an easy access put-in location where Padlz is located, which is just before the Bruceton Mills Dam.
Tygart River: Head to the historic City of Grafton for a ten-mile paddling trip. Start by putting in your canoe or kayak at the Grafton City Park below the Tygart Dam. Reminder, you must pull out of the water prior to reaching Valley Falls, as it is extremely dangerous not to do so.
Rail-trail walking, running and biking
The rail-trail is the perfect place to go for a scenic cycling trip or run along the river. Whether you are a passionate athlete or leisure cyclist, these trails will be open and ready for traffic as the temperature rises in Mountaineer Country.
Hiking at one of our nearby state forests or parks
-Coopers Rock State Forest: No matter what your hiking experience is, there are more than 20 trails to choose from. As a reminder, the Coopers Rock overlook, store and facilities are closed at this time.
-Cathedral State Park: More than three miles of hiking trails in the state’s largest old-growth forest, which is also a sanctuary for many ancient trees. As you hike below some astoundingly large virgin hemlocks, be on the lookout for the more than 170 species of other trees, ferns and beautiful wildflowers too.
-Tygart Lake State Park: Explore Tygart Lake’s surrounding woodlands, which offers five distinct trails that range in difficulty from light leisurely strolls to more moderate and challenging hikes.
Cast a line at a nearby waterway
Check out the nearby waterways stocked with various species of fish like the Tygart Bywaters, Mason Lake, Big Sandy Creek, Coopers Rock Lake and more.
Grow the ultimategarden with a little help from our friends
As you stay safe by staying home, consider pre-ordering flowers, bushes, herbs and more from Modern Homestead at Tathams. Unsure where to start with planting or landscaping? Check out their Facebook page for live videos with tips from the professionals.
Also, give back while you grow your at-home garden by purchasing flowers, seeds and collections online for delivery from the West Virginia Botanic Garden. 50% of each online purchase will be donated to the Garden.
For more information, go to VisitMountaineerCountry.com/Celebrate-Spring-Greater-Morgantown.
Tune in and support partners’ virtual events
While many events have been canceled due to the public health crisis, for others “the show must go on.”
Share your support by participating in many of regional partners’ live streamed videos, activities, donation/auction opportunities, online shopping, and more that have replaced their previously scheduled events.
For all Mountaineer Country virtual event information, go to TourMountaineerCountry.com.
The Visit Mountaineer Country CVB strives to increase the tourism economy by marketing and selling the destination to our guests by “wowing” them and encouraging them to stay one more night and spend one more dollar.
Morgantown Area News
'Tuesday, November 5, 2024'
