West Virginia - Wild and Wonderful

About West Virginia

West Virginia is noted for its mountains and diverse topography, its historically significant logging and coal mining industries, and its political and labor history. It is one of the most densely karstic areas in the world, making it a choice area for recreational caving and scientific research.

Business

West Virginia is full of opportunity for any business with a growing economy and a highly dedicated workforce. Whether you are running an existing business or thinking of starting a new business you can find all of the information you need throughout this business section.

Education

West Virginia is fortunate to have a tremendous education system with a high standard of excellence. Please use the information provided here to learn more about the wealth of educational opportunities in our great state.

Employment

West Virginia is home to one of the finest workforces in the country based on our hard work and commitment to quality. Whether you are looking for new job opportunities, enhancing your job skills or researching future employment trends you can find all of the information you need throughout this employment section.

Family

West Virginia offers the perfect balance of a rural and urban setting that suits a variety of lifestyles. This is a state where you can go whitewater rafting in the morning, go to an art exhibit in the afternoon and attend a concert in the evening. Whether you just moved to the Mountain State or your family has been here since it was founded, you are part of our community.

Health

Maintaining proper health is vital to ensuring the highest quality of life possible. West Virginia strives to provide one of the best health care systems in the country that is affordable and available to all residents of the state. This section contains numerous resources to assist you in accessing the health care services provided in the state.

Tourism

Exhilarate in the lasting beauty and natural wonder scattered throughout West Virginia. From unmatched outdoor recreation to world-class resorts, breathtaking scenery and a variety of cultural and historic attractions, West Virginia is an ideal spot to plan your next adventure. Discover for yourself what makes West Virginia wild and wonderful.

 "Something Extras" with W.Va. State Park gift card purchases promote visitation in 2012 

11/8/2011 
SOUTH CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia State Parks Gift Cards are popular gift options for the holiday season, and this year they come with “Something Extra,” according to State Parks Chief Ken Caplinger. Anyone who purchases a State Parks Gift Card online or by phone in the amount of $100 or more will automatically receive “Something Extra” in the form of deals and discounts at various state parks through 2012.

“During the holiday season, we anticipate an increase in gift card sales,” Caplinger said. “Gift cards can be used at the state’s parks and forests year-round, but during the holidays, we like to reward gift card purchases with a little extra incentive to visit parks in 2012.”

The “Something Extra” promotion runs from Nov. 1 to Dec. 16, 2011. Carol Stewart handles the majority of phone sales from the State Parks office in South Charleston. “There is no magic word or code to ask for to receive the extras,” Stewart explained. “It’s a way to thank people for buying or giving the gift cards and to encourage them to enjoy the parks next year.”

For each gift card purchase of a $100 value, the buyer receives a set of eight “Something Extra” cards. “A purchase of $250 would receive two sets, a purchase of $400 will receive four sets and so on,” Stewart said. A metal West Virginia State Parks zipper pull comes with each order. Extras include:

  • a one-day outdoor swimming pool pass at one of these state parks: Cacapon, Lost River, North Bend, Pipestem, Tomlinson Run, Twin Falls or Watoga;
  • buy one Island Belle sternwheeler ride and a second person rides free to Blennerhassett Island;
  • $5 off standard train fare at Cass Scenic Railroad;
  • a second night free during select dates at Cacapon and Twin Falls resorts, and Hawks Nest;
  • aerial tram ride at Hawks Nest or Pipestem state parks;
  • an 18-hole round of golf at Cacapon, Pipestem, or Twin Falls resorts January – September, 2012;
  • $5 off advance campsite reservations at Blackwater Falls, Bluestone, North Bend, Pipestem, Twin Falls or Tygart Lake state parks; and,
  • and a “mystery gift.”

State park gift cards are available by going online at www.wvstateparks.com and clicking “Gift Card Purchase,” or call 304-558-2764 ext. 51828. Standard ground USPS shipping service is included in gift card sales.

Contact Information

Carol Stewart or Ken Caplinger, Chief, WV State Parks 
304-558-2764 ext. 51828 or 304-558-2754 
Carol.A.Stewart@wv.gov or dnr.parks@wv.gov