WEST VIRGINIA (WVDN) – A four-county partnership is bringing new energy to Mountain State Maple Days as the event returns for its ninth year with two sweet weekends celebrating West Virginia’s growing maple syrup industry: February 21, 2026 and March 21, 2026. The statewide event invites visitors and residents alike to experience authentic sugar camp tours, maple-infused dining specials, family-friendly festivities, and hands-on agricultural traditions across the Mountain State.
Between the two offi cial weekends, travelers are encouraged to enjoy “Maple Month” by continuing to explore participating producers, restaurants, and events throughout February and March.
New for 2026: Regional Maple Passport
Launching this year, a four-county collaboration between the Convention & Visitors Bureaus of Grant, Pendleton, Pocahontas, and Randolph counties, in partnership with Future Generations University, introduces a regional Maple Passport hosted through Driftscape.
The interactive passport encourages visitors to explore multiple maple destinations across county lines. Participants can check in at sugar camps, maple-themed festivals, and participating restaurants using the Driftscape mobile app or web platform.
Visitors who complete:
3 stops can redeem a commemorative sticker
5 stops can redeem a limited-edition pin
Prizes may be claimed at participating CVB offi ces in Grant, Pendleton, Pocahontas, and Randolph counties.
“The Pocahontas County CVB is eager to launch this 2026 Mountain State Maple Days initiative in partnership with Grant, Pendleton, and Randolph counties,” said Chelsea Faulknier, Executive Director of the Pocahontas County CVB. “Travelers often don’t realize when they’re crossing into a neighboring county, and this regional passport encourages them to continue their journey, discovering new maple producers, restaurants, and events along the way.”
This regional initiative encourages extended stays, deeper exploration of rural communities, and greater support for local maple producers and small businesses.
Annie Humes, Executive Director of the Pendleton County CVB said, “The Pendleton County CVB is delighted to be participating in this regional collaboration with our partners in Pocahontas, Grant and Randolph Counties. The maple farmers throughout our region are some of the friendliest and most enthusiastic people you will ever meet. We are excited to encourage travelers and locals alike to get out there and meet more of them along the way this year.”
West Virginia’s maple industry continues to grow, strengthening the state’s agritourism economy through the preservation of traditional Appalachian sugaring practices. The annual Mountain State Maple Days offers guests an immersive opportunity to connect directly with producers, learn about the syrup-making process, and support local agriculture.
“Visitors to Fort Warwick Farm really appreciate the opportunity to experience syrup making that features buckets, a fl at pan, a wood fi re, and the family tradition on this National Historic Site,” said Robert Sheets, owner and operator of Fort Warwick, which features sugar camp tours on the historic frontier landmark which was established in 1774, in Green Bank, West Virginia.
“We feel the Regional Maple Passport is a wonderful addition to Mountain State Maple Days because it allows visitors to experience very different maple set-ups all in one day. I think it’s such a special way for a wide array of maple producers to show-off their operations, from new-fangled to old-fashioned, tiny backyarders to 15,000+ operations! At our farm, my two favorite parts are showing them our large sap collection tank and letting them have a sample of syrup that’s hot and fresh off the evaporator!” said Rachel Taylor, of Frostmore Farms.
Plan Your Maple Adventure
To participate in the Regional Maple Passport, download the Driftscape app or access the passport online at: https://bit.ly/4kOg8m9. Follow participating CVBs on social media for event updates, maple-themed specials, and trip inspiration throughout Maple Month. For trip-planning assistance, contact the participating regional CVBs listed below.
The annual Mountain State Maple Days continues to highlight West Virginia’s rich agricultural heritage while inviting visitors to experience the sweetness of maple season firsthand.
