West Virginia has a variety of native animals, including black bears, white-tailed deer, gray and red foxes, and Eastern coyotes.
You can also see species from all over the world at the many zoos and aquariums in the area, and the state’s slogan is “wild and wonderful.”
Kids and adults can learn more about wildlife and support conservation efforts.
Here are some of the best zoos and aquariums in West Virginia.
Contents
Best Zoos & Aquariums in West Virginia
Hovatter’s Wildlife Zoo
Hovatter’s Wildlife Zoo is also called the West Virginia Zoo.
It’s in Kingwood, a city in the northeastern part of the state, and it has over 30 native and exotic animal species.
You can see grizzly bears, cougars, chimpanzees, baboons, black bears, orange and white tigers, and spotted and black leopards.
You can also feed lemurs, giraffes, pygmy goats, and camels.
Animal food for different species is available at the gift shop.
This zoo is open daily from April through October from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
You can visit on weekends in November.
The Oglebay Good Zoo
The Good Zoo is in Wheeling, in northern West Virginia.
It has about 50 animal species, and around 20 of them are endangered or rare.
Visitors can view a bald eagle, llamas, a lorikeet, and many others.
You can also make a reservation to help zookeepers feed and train cheetahs, maned wolves, zebras, bobcats, kangaroos, red pandas, wallabies, or ruffed lemurs.
These encounters usually last for 30 to 45 minutes.
This is the only zoo in West Virginia that’s accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
You can visit from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day.
The West Virginia State Wildlife Center
The West Virginia State Wildlife Center is in French Creek, and it displays native wildlife in large enclosures that mimic their natural habitats.
You can see owls, skunks, foxes, cougars, and wolves.
There’s a pond near the picnic area with waterfowl, and you can fish for trout, catfish, bass, or bluegill.
To explore this zoo, you can use a wheelchair-accessible, 1.25-mile trail that goes through a mature hardwood forest.
The West Virginia State Wildlife Center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April 1 to October 31.
During the rest of the year, it closes at 3 p.m.
The Reptile House & Rescue
The Reptile House & Rescue is a nonprofit, no-kill rescue and zoo that specializes in reptiles and amphibians.
It’s inside the Huntington Mall in Barboursville, West Virginia.
More than 60 rehabilitated reptiles and amphibians are permanently on display.
Animals are often available for adoption, and you can see many large snakes and lizards.
T-shirts, mugs, stickers, and other souvenirs are for sale, and the profits support continuing rescue operations.
You can visit Monday through Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday from noon to 8 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m.
The Three Rivers Avian Center
The Three Rivers Avian Center (TRAC) is another nonprofit, and it’s dedicated to conserving wild birds and educating people about them and their roles in the ecosystem.
It’s in southern West Virginia, and it has hummingbirds, eagles, wading birds, and more.
The facility covers about 110 acres, and you can visit it for free on the first Saturday of each month from May to October.
The Three Rivers Avian Center is open from 1 to 5 p.m., and you can make an appointment for a tour outside those hours.
You can also volunteer to help care for the birds.
The Chief Logan State Park
The Chief Logan State Park offers elk management tours in the fall.
These animals have been absent from West Virginia for over a century, but they’re starting to make a comeback.
You can schedule a guided hike to take a look at the growing elk herd in the park.
Tours start at Chief Logan Lodge near the park, it has a delicious restaurant.
The park is open every day from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
It covers almost 4,000 acres, and you can see many bird, animal, and fish species in their natural habitats.
There’s also a gift shop.
The JTJ Nature Preserve
The JTJ Nature Preserve is part of the Johnson T. Janes Park in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
It’s near the Ohio River and the Ohio border, and it covers about 36 acres.
You can see 80 bird and wildlife species and about 55 plant species.
There are several walking and nature trails and natural wetlands.
The City of Parkersburg holds an annual deer hunt at the JTJ Nature Preserve.
You can visit every day from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The DEP Mobile Aquarium
The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Mobile Aquarium can come to many types of events.
You’ll need some shade and a nearby water source.
There should also be a parking spot for the truck that’s less than 100 feet away from an electrical source.
This portable aquarium holds 20,000 gallons of water, and it’s based in Charleston, West Virginia.
All the fish species on display are native to the state.
The DEP Mobile Aquarium is available in April, June, September, and October.
During other months, the weather could be too warm or cold to keep the fish healthy.
The Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge
The Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge is the largest high-elevation wetland in West Virginia.
It’s about 3,200 feet above sea level in the Allegheny Mountains, and it has many rare plants and animals that normally live in more northern locations.
This refuge supports migratory birds along with threatened and endangered species.
It covers more than 15,000 acres, and it has over 60 miles of trails for biking, hiking, and horseback riding.
Canaan Valley also contains 13 miles of the Little Blackwater River and several miles of tributaries.
Guided hikes and birding walks are available, and hunting and fishing are allowed.
The Huntington Zoo & Aquarium
Andy McKee founded the Huntington Zoo & Aquarium, and it’s scheduled to open in 2024.
He’s a former middle school science teacher, and he also founded The Reptile House & Rescue in Huntington.
This zoo will focus on reptiles, but it will also have a 1.5 million-gallon marine aquarium with fish and other marine wildlife from all over the world.
This new zoo will have an exotic animal vet clinic, a science museum, nature trails, and playgrounds.
It will also eventually add a splash park, an amphitheater, a botanical garden, a restaurant, and multiple types of habitats for animals.
10 Best Zoos & Aquariums in West Virginia – Summary Table
| Zoos & Aquariums | Address |
|---|---|
| Hovatter’s Wildlife Zoo | 291 Wagner Ln, Kingwood, WV 26537, USA |
| The Oglebay Good Zoo | 345 Zoo Cir, Wheeling, WV 26003, USA |
| The West Virginia State Wildlife Center | 163 Wildlife Rd, French Creek, WV 26218, USA |
| The Reptile House & Rescue | 780 Mall Rd Box 4207, Barboursville, WV 25504, United States |
| The Three Rivers Avian Center | Brooks Mountain Rd, Brooks, WV 25951, USA |
| The Chief Logan State Park | 376 Little Buffalo Creek Rd, Logan, WV 25601, USA |
| The JTJ Nature Preserve | 3207 27th St, Parkersburg, WV 26104, USA |
| The DEP Mobile Aquarium | Charleston, West Virginia |
| The Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge | 6263 Appalachian Hwy, Davis, WV 26260, USA |
| The Huntington Zoo & Aquarium | 910 13th Ave, Huntington, WV |
West Virginia Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: West Virginia Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: HIGH
Frequently Asked Questions
What State Parks Are in West Virginia?
Along with Chief Logan and Canaan Valley, West Virginia has many beautiful state parks where you can see wild animals and stunning landscapes.
They include Blackwater Falls, North Bend, Lost River, Audra, Berkeley Springs, Holly River, Twin Falls, and more.
No matter which city you start from, there’s probably a great state park nearby.
When Did West Virginia Become a State?
Abraham Lincoln made West Virginia a state on June 20, 1863, soon after the end of the Civil War.
When Is the Best Time to Visit West Virginia?
West Virginia is a great destination all year, but the best times to visit for most people are spring and fall.
In April, May, and June, you can see baby animals and fish at the zoos and aquariums in the area.
In September, October, and November, the leaves on the trees change color and make the landscape even more beautiful.
People who love winter sports and holiday decorations will enjoy a visit in colder weather.
If you want to go swimming, the water will feel especially refreshing during summer.
What Are Welcome Centers?
There are eight Welcome Centers in West Virginia.
They’re all near major highways, and you can visit one easily if you enter the state in a car.
The Welcome Centers provide brochures and local travel information.
You can visit before you start exploring the state from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from November through April.
These facilities are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in other months.
What’s Cell Phone Coverage Like in West Virginia?
Cell phone coverage and internet access options are good in most places in the state.
You can get clear reception in urban areas, and many hotels, restaurants, and other establishments offer free Wi-Fi.
However, there are many rural areas with mountainous landscapes where using your cell phone might be difficult.
What Is Transportation Like in West Virginia?
West Virginia has many different highways, and the roads in most places are in good condition.
There are several airports, and a flight in a small plane is a great way to view all the state’s beautiful scenery.
The West Virginia International Yeager Airport is the largest, and it’s only a few miles away from downtown Charleston.
It’s named after Chuck Yeager, the first person who traveled faster than the speed of sound.
If you have a driver’s license from the United States and you’re 21 years old or more, you can rent a car.
Passenger trains sometimes stop in Huntington, Charleston, Martinsburg, and Harpers Ferry.
The landscape is mountainous, so you can see many bridges and tunnels.
Many buses and taxis are available, and you can also use a ridesharing service.
West Virginia has a diverse array of native animals, as well as a variety of zoos and aquariums that offer opportunities for both education and conservation.
West Virginia has a diverse array of native animals and several zoos and aquariums to visit, making it a great place for both education and conservation efforts.