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Where You Learn by Adventure

WVU Jackson's Mill is the ultimate destination for outdoor education and recreation in the heart of the Mountain State. Experience the West Fork River by kayak, learn about your favorite West Virginia trees, or climb a rock wall.

A person climbs a rock wall.
A person climbs a rock wall.

Enjoy a WVU Jackson's Mill adventure while learning about the Mountain State.

A panorama of the main Jackson's Mill Campus with Mt. Vernon Dining Hall in the background.

Enjoy the Mill's Outdoor Education & Recreation

WVU Jackson’s Mill offers vast opportunities for adventure-seekers or those interested in learning more about outdoor recreation programs. From mountain biking and rock walls to kayaking, outdoors at the Mill has something for everyone. In addition to the fun stuff, educational resources are available to those interested in topics like water quality testing or fire building.

ATV Safety Training

West Virginia University is fortunate to have a great partnership through a gift and in-kind donations from the Polaris Foundation. This enables WVU Extension Service to expand ATV safety education and training beyond Jackson's Mill throughout West Virginia. More than 12 educators, including county agents, are trained to deliver ATV programming at schools, camps and other activities. The program also increases the number of West Virginia ATV Safety Institute RiderCourse instructors who are teaching hands-on programs statewide. For more information on educational courses and training, contact Haley Rosson or David Snively.

Leave No Trace

Leave No Trace is an ethics guideline for those interested in participating in outdoor recreation.

Seven principles of Leave No Trace:

  • Plan Ahead and Prepare
  • Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
  • Dispose of Waste Properly
  • Leave What You Find
  • Minimize Campfire Impacts
  • Respect Wildlife
  • Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Water Quality Testing & Reporting

Water quality testing is a citizen science. Interested individuals will learn to use kits to test the pH balance, dissolved oxygen, temperature and turbidity of different water sources around Jackson's Mill. The recorded results will be reported to an online international database.

Fire Building

Fire building education teaches individuals:

  • How to use natural wood products they find
  • What is safe or unsafe to burn
  • Being aware of dry conditions

Recreation

Jackson's Mill offers a large variety of different outdoor recreational activities:

  • Rock Wall
    • 35 feet
    • Five route of varying difficulty
  • Tomahawk and knife throwing
  • Mountain biking
    • Paved road throughout Jackson's Mill Campus
    • Gravel and dirt trail
  • 18-hole disc golf course
  • Swimming pool

Water Recreation

Jackson's Mill is happy to offer visitors a unique water recreation experience on the water reservoir and on the West Fork River. Those interested in adventuring on water can do so by kayaks, canoes or stand-up paddleboards.

Youth Education

  • STEAM Programs
  • Outdoor Education
  • History Education

Recreation

  • ATV Safety
  • Leave No Trace
  • Swimming
  • Disc-Golf
  • Rock Wall

Historic Area

  • Historic Buildings
  • Group Tours
  • Special Events
  • Educational Opportunities

Facilities

  • Meeting Rooms
  • Dining
  • Other Facilities

Lodging

  • Suites
  • Lodge Rooms
  • Private Rooms
  • Cottages

Weddings & Receptions

Wedding Reception Packages
  • Bronze Package
  • Silver Package
  • Gold Package