Birch, Cranberry, Williams, Gauley, Elk, Backfork of Elk, Holly and Little Kanawha are rivers that pass through the county. You do not find four-lanes and heavy traffic here. Two-lane hardtop, gravel, and dirt roads are the routes that lead to some of the best fishing in the state. Webster County's steep mountains have served to isolate the region, prevent development, and in the process preserve some of the most pristine natural beauty to be found in the Eastern United States. Near the geographic center of West Virginia, the county is a four-season destination for the outdoor enthusiast with plenty of activities no matter what the season.
Trees are far more numerous here than people.
Covering nearly twenty percent of the county, Monongahela National Forest provides 901,000 acres of woodland for exploration. In addition to the excellent fishing opportunities, there are many miles of hiking and mountain biking trails in the forest. Within Monongahela National Forest is the Cranberry Wilderness. The West Virginia Department of Natural Resources lists the Elk and Little Kanawha Rivers as being among the state's best small-mouth bass streams. What aren't listed are the best native trout streams.