Discover Appalachia's Outdoors
Access Appalachia connects people to the stories, businesses, and outdoor experiences shaping the Appalachian region.
Getting Young People Outside and Into Conservation
Author: Editorial Team | September 9, 2026
For many young people, getting outside can be the beginning of a much deeper connection to place. In Charlottesville, a pilot program is giving local high school students the opportunity to experience that connection firsthand—while earning a paycheck, building new skills and helping care for a trail that serves their community. The Appalachian Conservation Corps […]
News
The Yew Mountain Center Is Building a Future for 500 Acres of Appalachia
Author: Editorial Team | August 31, 2026
For nearly a decade, the Yew Mountain Center has been turning 500 acres of forests, fields, ponds and trails in Pocahontas County into something much bigger than a nature preserve....
News / News
Exploring West Virginia’s Historic Fire Towers
Author: Editorial Team | August 24, 2026
Long before modern technology made wildfire detection easier, fire lookouts perched high above the Appalachian landscape, watching the ridgelines for the first signs of smoke. Today, many of those historic...
The Podcast
From trail builders to policy makers, we talk to the people shaping what outdoor life in Appalachia looks like — and what it could become.
He Helped Build West Virginia’s Only Outdoor Magazine. Then They Sold It.
Dylan Jones helped build one of the most important outdoor publications in West Virginia from the ground up. As co founder of Highland Outdoors, Dylan...
Non-Profits Directory
Behind every great trail, clean river, and thriving outdoor community is an organization putting in the work. These are the groups protecting the land, supporting the people, and building the infrastructure that makes outdoor life in Appalachia possible. From trail advocacy to watershed conservation to community programming, they’re the reason this place keeps getting better. Meet the nonprofits making Appalachia worth exploring — and find out how you can get involved.
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Upcoming Events
Races, festivals, trail days, and community gatherings — there’s always something worth showing up for in Appalachia. Whether you’re looking to compete, volunteer, explore, or just be around people who love this place as much as you do, the outdoor calendar here stays full. From local trail work parties to regional enduro races to music and culture festivals, these are the events that bring the community together. Find what’s coming up in your corner of the mountains and get out there.
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