West Virginia Day – June 20, 2019

For our state’s birthday, the West Virginia Wildlife Center will be providing educational activities and outdoor games that can be enjoyed by all ages. Hands-on activities will provide experiences and opportunities for our guests to learn more about the wildlife our state has to offer. Back by popular demand, cornhole and putt-putt golf will also be available. A dunking booth will provide a chance for you to send several of our employees for a swim, including our Wildlife Biologist, Natural Resources Police Officer, and others. The rest of the facility will be open and operating as planned, including the Gift Shop which will be open for all of your merchandise and snacking needs. Of course they’ll also be serving FREE birthday cake and refreshments to commemorate the day our state was born.

The Wildlife Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and regular admission fees will apply. (Admission fees are $4 for adults 16 and older, $2 for children ages 6-15 and free for those under 6.)

UPDATE: The West Virginia Raptor Rehabilitation Center will not be attending this year.

Other events planned this year at the W.Va. Wildlife Center include:

Rendezvous/Living History Encampment – August 2 & 3, 2019

This will be the 4th Annual Rendezvous.  They have invited Re-enactors from Pre-Colonial Days through the Civil War Era to camp on the area.  There will be interactive demonstrations of gunsmithing, bead work, fire starting, cooking, knife making, leather working, and other skills.

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and regular admission fees apply.

Fall Hayrides – October 11 & 12, 2019

Many of you have said you enjoy the hayrides during Spooky Night Tours but don’t want to stay for the guided tours after dark.  The Wildlife Center has decided to offer a Friday and Saturday evening event featuring just the hayrides.  Come enjoy the splendor of fall at the Wildlife Center. Hayrides will start at 4:30 p.m. and last until 7: p.m. Free hot chocolate and cookies will be served from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Regular admission fees apply.

Spooky Night Tours – October 18 & 19, 2019

This will mark the 9th year for this family-friendly event.  They have already started planning and building new props.  Hayrides will start at 4:30 p.m. and last until 6:30 p.m.  At that time, they’ll clear the tractors out of the way and start the tours of the animal exhibits.  Bring your flashlight! The maze will be open from 4:30 to 9 p.m.  Free hot chocolate and cookies from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Wildlife Center welcomes your group for this event.  Please call the office at least one week in advance so they can prepare for your visit and ensure things run smoothly.  The office is open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.  You can reach them by calling 304-924-6211.

Regular admission fees apply.

About the Wildlife Center

The West Virginia State Wildlife Center is a modern zoological facility displaying native and introduced state wildlife. Operated by the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, the Wildlife Center is dedicated to presenting visitors a realistic and factual understanding of our state’s wildlife. Woodland wildlife can be viewed along a wheelchair-accessible interpretative trail 1.25 mile through a mature hardwood forest.

The spacious enclosures allow the animals to interact with their environment and they therefore exhibit more natural behavior patterns. Interpretive signs help the visitor to learn more about each animal’s life history, biology and its relationship with humans. Group tours are available upon request.

The Wildlife Center is the perfect setting for a family outing. In addition to exhibits, there is a large wooded picnic area with grills and a shelter. Look for waterfowl or fish for trout, bass, catfish and bluegill in the well-stocked pond below the picnic area. A gift shop is available to satisfy your souvenir and refreshment needs. The Wildlife Center is a facility where visitors can see, enjoy and learn more about West Virginia’s rich wildlife heritage.

Directions

The West Virginia State Wildlife Center is located in Upshur County in north-central West Virginia, 12 miles south of Buckhannon on State Route 20. From the north take exit 99 off Interstate 79 and follow State Route 33 east approximately 12 miles to Buckhannon and turn south on State Route 20. Coming from the south, take exit 67 off Interstate 79 at Flatwoods and follow State Routes 19 and 4 north approximately 30 miles to Rock Cave and Route 20. Follow State Route 20 North for 2 miles to the center. Visiting the Wildlife Center is a convenient side trip for travelers on I-79.

For more information, call (304) 924-6211 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.