Discover
Mountaineer
Country, WV with Us
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Welcome to the heart of North Central West Virginia, where adventure, culture, and hospitality converge!
At the Visit Mountaineer Country Convention and Visitors Bureau, we’re passionate about showcasing the beauty, charm, and endless possibilities our region offers. Our mission is simple: to create unforgettable experiences that make you want to return time and again.
Mountaineer Country is the seven-county travel region of Monongalia, Preston, Taylor, Barbour, Harrison, Marion, and Doddridge Counties, as defined by the West Virginia Department of Tourism.
WHY CHOOSE MOUNTAINEER COUNTRY
Nestled in the scenic hills of North Central West Virginia, Mountaineer Country is a treasure trove of unique experiences waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re seeking outdoor adventures, rich cultural experiences, or simply a relaxing getaway, we’re here to help you find the perfect itinerary. From where to eat and shop to must-see attractions and hidden gems, we’ve got you covered.
Check out our blogs and guides to start planning your visit here.
WHAT WE OFFER
We’re your local experts, ready to provide personalized recommendations and insider tips to ensure your visit is nothing short of amazing. Looking for the best hiking trails, a cozy bed and breakfast, or an exciting event? We’ll point you in the right direction.
Plus, we have a dedicated sales team to help you find the perfect meeting space and hotel accommodations for larger groups.
Supporting Our Community
We proudly partner with local businesses and organizations to highlight the best our area has to offer. By promoting local events, unique shops, and dining establishments, we aim to create a vibrant community that benefits both residents and visitors.
Our robust Mountaineer Deals program allows us to share the best and brightest local businesses with our guests while saving them money!
OUR ACHIEVEMENTS
We’re thrilled to have been recognized for our efforts in enhancing the local tourism industry.
- In 2024, all Visit Mountaineer Country staff received their Professional in Destination Management certifications from Destinations International, supported through grant funding from the WVDT.
- In 2024, Visit Mountaineer Country received the “Future of Tourism” award and a National Gold Standard Youth designation for its Leave No Trace program, encouraging youth to protect natural landscapes through education and stewardship.
- In 2024, Visit Mountaineer Country’s Destination Development Coordinators Kathryn Carter and Stella Hehnly were selected to speak at the 2024 Leave No Trace Global Summit along with Ennis Smith from the WV Deptartment of Tourism.
- In 2023, Visit Mountaineer Country received almost a perfect score of 99.61% from the West Virginia Association of Conventions and Visitors Bureaus’ accreditation process.
- In 2023, Visit Mountaineer Country received the “Future of Tourism” award for its strong relationships with West Virginia University and its successful in-house internship program.
- In 2022, Visit Mountaineer Country’s President & CEO, Susan Riddle, was voted “Mountaineer Country’s Community Champion” by voters of WV Living Magazine.
- In 2019, the Greater Morgantown CVB was honored with the Non-Profit of the Year award from the Morgantown Area Partnership, reflecting our dedication to making Mountaineer Country a top destination.




Our Vision
To make Mountaineer Country the region’s prime destination for travelers through the recruitment of groups, events and activities that enhance the quality of life in the community and establish the Visit Mountaineer Country CVB as the area’s primary resource for travel assistance.
OUR MISSION:
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.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2025
MOUNTAINEER COUNTRY: THE FACTS
Our Service Area
Monongalia, Preston, and Taylor Counties, along with Belington in Barbour County.
Population 159,994
Area 1,183.8 square miles
While these are the areas we officially represent/receive lodging tax from, we represent the entire “7-County Mountaineer Country Region” of North Central WV, as defined by the WV Dept. of Tourism.
Weather
Mountaineer Country summers reach temperatures in the upper 80s, with fall/winter temperatures around the 40s. Average rainfall is 40 inches, and average snowfall is 10-30 inches.
Cost of Living
Median household income for 2022 was approximately $57,991; median home price in 2024: $245,000.
AIRPORTS
Morgantown Municipal Airport (MGW) and North Central West Virginia Airport (CKB) in Bridgeport, WV are regional hubs. Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) is approximately 80 miles from the center of Mountaineer Country.
HOTEL, MOTEL, & CABIN ROOMS
2,500+
Offering cozy stays and prime locations near all the top attractions, you’re sure to find the perfect spot for adventure or relaxation in Mountaineer Country!
West Virginia University
28,776 students
Let’s Go Mountaineers!
Outdoors
Coopers Rock State Forest has more than 50 miles of trails covering 12,747 acres, Valley Falls State Park has 18 miles of trails over 1,145 acres, Cathedral State Park is 133 acres, and the rail-trail system is a combined 32.7 miles.
Top Mountaineer Country Attractions
FUN FACTS
Six Facts You Didn’t Know About Mountaineer Country, WV
PEPPERONI ROLL
The pepperoni roll was first sold in Fairmont, West Virginia, in 1927. The rolls originated as a lunch option for the coal miners of North Central West Virginia in the first half of the 20th century. In 2021, the pepperoni roll was declared the official state food of West Virginia.
DON KNOTTS
TV and movie actor Don Knotts was born in Morgantown, WV in 1924. He played the popular deputy Barnie Fife in the Andy Griffith show. A statue of Knotts was erected in the heart of downtown Morgantown.
MOTHER'S DAY
Mother’s Day was established by Anna Jarvis with a memorial ceremony in Grafton, WV on May 12, 1907, then helping springboard it nationally in 1914.
MORGANTOWN GLASSWARE
The Morgantown Glassware Guild produced 1,000 hand-cut crystal glassware patterns on hand-blown glass, in over 750 colors–close to a world record in the late 1800s. The company drew national attention when Jacqueline Kennedy selected a colorless, simple, and elegant line of stemware handblown for use in the White House in 1961 after the Kennedy election.
ARTHURDALE, WV
Arthurdale, WV was the first New Deal community funded by the federal government in 1933 to create subsistence homesteads after the depression. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt served as the empathetic force behind the community, which became known as “Eleanor’s Little Village.” Today, Arthurdale is a National Historic District featuring 160 of the 165 original homesteads and a museum.
PRT
The Morgantown Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) is the oldest and most extensive PRT system and has been in continuous operation since 1975. Today, the system transports an average of 15,000 passengers per day.
EVENTS IN MOUNTAINEER COUNTY
