No list of West Virginia outdoor activities would be complete without whitewater rafting.

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve has become one of the state's signature adventure destinations. The National Park Service highlights rafting, climbing, biking, hiking, camping, birding, and historic sites among the many ways visitors can explore the park.

Rafting trips range from relatively relaxing river excursions to much more challenging whitewater adventures. The Lower New River is particularly famous among rafting enthusiasts.

While you're there, don't simply look at the New River Gorge Bridge and leave. Hike the Endless Wall Trail or Long Point Trail, explore Fayette Station Road, and visit historic areas such as Thurmond and Nuttallburg.

Best for: Rafting, hiking, photography, climbing and weekend getaways.

If the New River is exciting, the Gauley River turns the intensity up another notch.

Every fall, scheduled water releases help create the legendary "Gauley Season." According to the National Park Service, the Gauley drops more than 668 feet over approximately 25 miles and contains more than 100 rapids. The Upper Gauley includes major Class III to V+ whitewater.

Names such as Pillow Rock, Lost Paddle and Sweet's Falls are enough to get experienced rafters excited.

This isn't the place to overestimate your abilities. First-time visitors interested in tackling serious Gauley whitewater should consider going with an experienced commercial outfitter.

Best for: Adrenaline seekers and experienced whitewater enthusiasts.

You don't have to get wet to experience the New River Gorge.

The park has nearly 100 miles of hiking trails, ranging from relaxing walks to more demanding routes. Two of the most recognizable hikes are Long Point and Endless Wall.

Long Point provides one of those classic West Virginia views: forest-covered mountains, a deep gorge and the enormous New River Gorge Bridge stretching across the landscape.

Visit during October and the surrounding mountains can explode with fall color.

For anyone building a vacation around West Virginia outdoor activities, the New River Gorge area can easily keep you busy for several days.

Few natural landmarks in West Virginia are as recognizable as Seneca Rocks.

Located within the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area, the massive rock formation rises roughly 900 feet above the surrounding landscape. A popular hiking route is approximately 2.6 miles out and back and uses switchbacks to make the climb more manageable.

Seneca Rocks is also one of the best-known rock-climbing destinations in the eastern United States.

Even if climbing isn't for you, the hike and surrounding scenery make the trip worthwhile.

Best for: Hiking, rock climbing, photography and mountain scenery.

Want to reach the highest point in West Virginia?

Head to Spruce Knob.

At 4,863 feet, Spruce Knob sits atop Spruce Mountain and offers impressive views of the surrounding Allegheny Mountains. An observation tower near the summit provides an even better vantage point.

The surrounding area feels wonderfully remote and provides opportunities for hiking, camping and photography.

Combine Spruce Knob and Seneca Rocks into the same trip for an outstanding introduction to the Potomac Highlands.

Dolly Sods Wilderness feels different from almost anywhere else in West Virginia.

High elevations, windswept plains, rocky overlooks, red spruce forests and expansive views give portions of the landscape an almost Canadian feel.

Hiking is the main attraction, with trails leading through forests, open meadows, streams and rocky terrain. Conditions can change quickly, and some trails become extremely muddy, so proper footwear and navigation preparation are important.

For experienced hikers searching for less-developed West Virginia outdoor activities, Dolly Sods belongs near the top of the list.

Best for: Backpacking, hiking, camping, photography and wilderness experiences.

Blackwater Falls is one of West Virginia's most photographed natural attractions.

The 57-foot waterfall plunges into Blackwater Canyon, with the water taking on its distinctive amber or dark appearance from tannins associated with surrounding vegetation.

Blackwater Falls State Park offers much more than the main waterfall. Visitors can explore Elakala Falls and hike to Lindy Point for an outstanding view over Blackwater Canyon.

The park is especially beautiful during fall, but winter can transform the falls and surrounding landscape into a completely different experience.

Nearby Davis and Thomas also make excellent stops for restaurants, shops and small-town exploring.

If you've ever seen a West Virginia tourism calendar, you've probably seen the Glade Creek Grist Mill.

Located at Babcock State Park, the mill and surrounding stream create one of the state's most recognizable scenes.

But don't stop after taking a picture.

Babcock offers hiking opportunities through a beautiful Appalachian landscape. The Island-in-the-Sky Trail begins near the grist mill and leads toward scenic overlooks and cliff areas.

Combine Babcock with the nearby New River Gorge for a fantastic multi-day outdoor trip.

Best for: Photography, hiking, picnicking and family trips.

Prefer exploring West Virginia on two wheels?

Try the Greenbrier River Trail.

The 78-mile trail follows much of the Greenbrier River and provides a relatively gentle route for cycling and hiking. Its moderate grades and crushed-stone-and-gravel surface also make it approachable for many families.

Along the way you'll experience forests, river scenery and small Appalachian communities.

You don't need to ride the entire trail. Choose a section, pack lunch and spend several hours riding beside one of West Virginia's most beautiful rivers.

Not every outdoor adventure requires hiking boots.

Cass Scenic Railroad State Park provides one of the most unusual West Virginia outdoor activities for families and history lovers.

Historic locomotives climb into the mountains on scenic excursions, including routes toward Bald Knob. The state park system notes that Cass is home to the world's largest fleet of operational Shay locomotives.

The town of Cass itself preserves an important piece of West Virginia's logging and railroad history.

It's a wonderful combination of scenery and history — and an excellent choice for travelers who want to experience the mountains without a strenuous hike.

Harpers Ferry combines outdoor recreation with some of America's most fascinating history.

Situated where the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers meet, the town is surrounded by steep mountains and scenic overlooks.

Walk through the historic district, explore National Park Service sites and then hit the trails. The Appalachian Trail passes directly through Harpers Ferry, making the town a legendary stop for long-distance hikers.

For a bigger challenge, hike to overlooks above town for panoramic views of the rivers and surrounding mountains.

Harpers Ferry proves that West Virginia outdoor activities can combine exercise, scenery and American history in a single day.

Instead of visiting one waterfall, why not plan an entire waterfall road trip?

West Virginia is filled with cascades hidden in state parks, forests and mountain streams.

Popular stops include Blackwater Falls, Elakala Falls, Cathedral Falls, Sandstone Falls, Campbell Falls, Marsh Fork Falls, Black Fork Falls and the waterfalls around Holly River State Park.

Camp Creek State Park and Forest alone contains roughly 35 miles of trails and is home to Campbell Falls and Mash Fork Falls. Twin Falls Resort State Park provides another great waterfall hike, leading visitors to Marsh Fork and Black Fork Falls.

Spring usually brings stronger water flow, while autumn adds spectacular foliage to the experience.

Canaan Valley is one of West Virginia's great four-season destinations.

Summer brings hiking, biking, fishing and wildlife viewing. Autumn covers the mountains in brilliant color. Winter transforms the region into a destination for skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing and other cold-weather adventures.

Canaan Valley also puts you close to Blackwater Falls, Davis, Thomas and Dolly Sods, making it an ideal base for exploring several major attractions.

Book a cabin for a long weekend and you'll have access to some of the best West Virginia outdoor activities in the northern mountains.

Sometimes the best outdoor adventure involves doing very little.

Grab a fishing rod, find a mountain stream and enjoy the silence.

West Virginia offers excellent opportunities for trout fishing as well as bass, catfish and other species. Popular trout areas include the Cranberry River, Elk River, Williams River, North Fork of the South Branch, Shavers Fork and countless smaller mountain streams.

Lakes and larger rivers provide another completely different fishing experience.

For many visitors, fishing is less about catching the biggest fish and more about standing beside a clear mountain stream surrounded by hardwood forests.

That's about as West Virginia as it gets.

Your outdoor adventure doesn't have to end when the sun goes down.

Watoga State Park is an outstanding destination for experiencing West Virginia after dark. The park is nationally recognized for its dark skies, making it an excellent location for viewing stars, constellations, meteor showers and the Milky Way.

Bring a blanket, binoculars or telescope and find an open area away from artificial lighting.

After a day of hiking, fishing or paddling, sitting under a clear West Virginia night sky can be one of the most memorable experiences of the entire trip.

One of the greatest things about exploring West Virginia is how close many of these destinations are to one another.

A single road trip could take you from whitewater rafting in the New River Gorge to photographing the Glade Creek Grist Mill at Babcock, hiking around Seneca Rocks, watching the sunset from Blackwater Canyon and riding a historic train through the mountains at Cass.

You can build your trip around adrenaline or relaxation.

You can sleep in a tent, rent a mountain cabin or stay in a comfortable lodge. You can hike 15 miles through the wilderness or walk a short trail to a waterfall. You can raft Class V whitewater or sit quietly beside a trout stream.

That's what makes West Virginia outdoor activities so appealing — there isn't just one way to experience the Mountain State.

Every season offers something different.

Spring is excellent for waterfalls, wildflowers, fishing and hiking. Summer brings rafting, camping, kayaking, mountain biking and long days for exploring. Fall may be the most spectacular season, when West Virginia's mountains become covered in brilliant red, orange and yellow foliage. It's also the famous Gauley rafting season. Winter brings skiing, snowboarding, frozen waterfalls and peaceful mountain landscapes.

That means there really isn't a bad time to start exploring.

West Virginia doesn't need beaches, skyscrapers or massive theme parks to impress visitors.

Its attraction is the landscape itself.

Deep river gorges cut between forested mountains. Waterfalls tumble over sandstone cliffs. Historic railroads climb into the high country. Small towns sit beside rivers and mountain roads. Trails disappear into forests where the only sounds may be rushing water and birds in the trees.

Whether you're planning a family vacation, weekend road trip or serious outdoor expedition, these West Virginia outdoor activities provide plenty of reasons to explore the state.

Start with one destination on this list and build your trip from there.

You may arrive looking for an outdoor adventure.

Don't be surprised if you leave already planning your next trip to West Virginia.