Recreation

WVU Jackson's Mill is the ultimate destination for outdoor education, recreation, and adventure 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. Enjoy a WVU Jackson's Mill adventure while learning about the Mountain State.

An Array of Outdoor Educational Learning Opportunities

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 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 Rider Course instructors who are teaching hands-on programs statewide. Before riding an ATV, participants must take the ATV Safety e-course. 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

Team Building

WVU Jackson's Mill outdoor recreation offers team building activities that are catered specifically to each groups needs. Team building can be done through ground initiatives or on the low ropes course.

Team Building Interest Form

Outdoor Recreation

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

Tango Tower

Scale a 55-foot, six-sided climbing structure with varying levels difficulty are available to develop your climbing skills. All climbers are supported using TruBlue XL Auto Belay Devices. Open seasonally from spring through fall, weather permitting.

Tango Tower Interest Form

Tomahawk & Knife Throwing

Hone and sharpen your knife skills in a safe learning environment.

Mountain biking

Ride the smooth paved roads throughout Jackson's Mill campus or trek our off-road gravel and dirt trails.

18-hole disc golf course

Experience a different type of golf and get your steps in while having fun.

Swimming pool

Open to the general public on Saturday's during the summer when camps and activities aren't in session.

American Red Cross Classes

We offer select American Red Cross classes here at WVU Jackson’s Mill. There will be scheduled classes throughout the year for the public to sign up for. We will also consider scheduling specific classes outside of the schedule for groups on a case-by-case basis.

American Red Cross Class Interest Form

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, tubes or stand-up paddleboards.