Located two miles from downtown Parkersburg, Fort Boreman Historical Park features Union Civil War trenches, interpretive signage, picnic shelters and spectacular views of Parkersburg and the Ohio and Little Kanawha Rivers.
To reserve a shelter: Call the County Administrator’s office at 304.424.1976.
Fort Boreman is the site of a Civil War fort on a hilltop overlooking the scenic valley formed by the confluence of the Little Kanawha and Ohio rivers at Parkersburg. Built by Union troops to protect the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad terminal and the key commercial river facilities in the valley, Fort Boreman was named for West Virginia’s first governor, Parkersburg citizen Arthur I. Boreman. The fort site became a favorite overlook and picnic area in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, but by the mid-1900s it had become overgrown and forgotten. Plans to create a park were initiated in 1997, and the Fort Boreman site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003. Open year-round if weather permits.
The park contains two shelters.
Enoch Shelter – Named after long time historian and park volunteer Bob Enoch
Capacity: Approximately 84 people
Picnic Tables: 7
Grill: Yes
Dimensions: 24’ x 32’
Additional Info: Beside the playground. Close to restroom facilities and scenic overlook.
Underwood Shelter – named in memory of Former Governor Cecil H. Underwood
Capacity: Approximately 92 people
Picnic Tables: 8
Grill: Yes
Dimensions: 24’ x 32’
Additional Info: Next to the scenic overlook. Close to restroom facilities and playground.
To reserve a shelter: Call the County Administrator’s office at 304.424.1976.
Fort Boreman Historical Park Shelter Fee Schedule
- $100.00/Day (Over 5 hours)
- $50.00/Half Day (4-5 hours)
- $ 25.00 (Up to 3 hours)
2 Reviews on “Fort Boreman Park”
Fantastic park with LOTS of parking, hiking trails, and pavilions and a (what used to be) scenic overlook of the Ohio river and it’s confluence with the Little Kanawha river. The weeds, vines and brush have become so overgrown that it is not much of a scenic overlook. It is a weed overlook. It is a FAR cry from the picture / thumbnail used in advertising this site. Cut the weeds down so it is back to being an overlook, and it will be much better. Otherwise it is just hiking trails with a pavilion. Not much of a draw without the Ohio river overlook. I did not climb up the path to see the Parkersburg overlook, but I would imagine it could use clearing as well. The cannon’s that are on display and interpretive signs are also nice.
My husband and I were just here May 2, 2025 for our 41st wedding anniversary. I love history so the history was great and the scenery an added bonus. Very peaceful. Thank you for making this available for others to learn a bit of our beautiful states history and also a place for families and us older folks to sit and enjoy a nice lunch while enjoying the view. Please keep this place as beautiful as the day we were there. 🙂