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Mount Hope is the Gateway to the summit and as such, plays a vital role in the surrounding areas recreational activities.

Mount Hope is located on a plateau just above the world-renown New River Gorge a scenic area that has been called the outdoor-recreation destination of the Eastern U.S. Three national parks protect more than a third of the New River Gorge region, and several State-managed parks in the area often provide cabins, campsites, restaurants, and museums.

New River Gorge

The New River Gorge and the 70,000+ acres of parklands protected by the New River Gorge National River is located just minutes from Mount Hope. A paradise of forests and scenic beauty, the New River Gorge region is swiftly becoming part of one of the largest outdoor-recreation areas in the East.

Whether you’re interested in hiking, mountain biking, skiing, whitewater rafting, or fishing, you’ll find the means to explore your favorite pastimes right outside your door. Visit the following links to find out more about: Skiing WV — WV Whitewater — New River Gorge or review the following topics to learn more about the various recreational activities in the area.

Hiking and Mountain Biking

No matter what your mode of non-vehicular travel, you’ll find a paradise of trails weaving among the local highlands and gorges. Many miles of public hiking and mountain biking trails explore the forests of the adjacent New River Gorge National River and nearby Hawk’s Nest and Babcock state parks and Plum Orchard Wildlife Management Area. Undeveloped trails follow old mining and logging roads throughout the entire region.

Learn more about New River Gorge hiking and hiking trails and mountain biking trips in the New River Gorge.

Skiing and Winter Sports

Skiers will find one of the most accessible ski resorts in the south only 30 minutes away at Winterplace Ski Resort on I-77. Other ski resorts are located less than three-hours to the north and east at Snowshoe and Canaan Valley.

Find out more about  skiing and winter sports at Winterplace.

National & State Parks

Mount Hope is located on a plateau just above the world-renown New River Gorge a scenic area that has been called the outdoor-recreation destination of the Eastern U.S. Three national parks protect more than a third of the New River Gorge region, and several State-managed parks in the area often provide cabins, campsites, restaurants, and museums.

Read more about national and state parks in the New River Gorge region.

Fishing and Hunting

Hunting and fishing are integrated into every aspect of West Virginia culture, and for this reason our hunting and fishing areas are many and well developed. To the east of Mount Hope sprawls the Plum Orchard Lake Wildlife Management Area, which features excellent hunting and one of the best Bluegill holes in the Eastern U.S. To the west, Mount Hopes Dunloup Creek flows into the canyon of New River, a swift-moving stream that offers fishing for every local variety — small-mouth bass, large-mouth bass, channel catfish, brown trout, rainbow trout. Farm ponds and mountain streams supplement the angling opportunities. Public and private hunting lands cover most of the region.

Discover more about fishing in the New River Gorge.

Golfing

Golfers will find dozens of excellent courses within an hour’s drive, including the world-class courses at The Greenbrier. Six courses encircle Beckley, WV, to the south, and four grace the New River highlands, to the north. Many courses include restaurants, lounges, and other recreation facilities including health clubs and tennis courts.

Learn more about golfing and golf courses in the New River Gorge region.

Whitewater Rafting & Kayaking

Two of America’s best whitewater rafting rivers — the exciting New River and treacherous Gauley River — course through forested canyons less than 30 minutes from Mount Hope. The nearby New River is one of the nation’s best-known intermediate whitewater rivers, attracting tens of thousands of amateur and expert rafters each summer. Further north, the Gauley River is one of the world’s most challenging whitewater courses, luring the world’s expert rafters and kayakers during high water in October.

Find out more about  kayaking and whitewater rafting in the New River Gorge.

Rock Climbing, Rappelling

Less than 20-minutes north of Mount Hope, cliffs along the rim of the New River Gorge make up the largest rock-climbing area in the Eastern U.S. Thousands of climbers make an annual journey to the region to scale the sandstone’s vertical cracks and enjoy the tremendous views the canyon affords.

Read more about rappelling and rock climbing in the New River Gorge region.

Indoor Recreation

Gymnasiums, health clubs, bowling alleys, country clubs, and other recreation facilities are numerous in the Mount Hope, Beckley, and Oak Hill areas. All are convenient to the greater New River Gorge area and the local Interstate highways network.