Explore The Great Outdoors
Greater Parkersburg features some of the best mountain biking, hiking trails, and motorcycle routes in the country — not to mention scenic kayaking on the Ohio River. So fill your adventurous spirit and hit the water, or hike, bike, and ride through our curvy, breathtaking Appalachian hills on an outdoor adventure that’s all your own.
With 225+ miles of singletrack trails and 72 miles of rail-trail to explore, Greater Parkersburg is a hot spot for mountain biking and bicycle riding in general. Experienced and novice bikers alike can find trails with a suitable difficulty, as the terrain of our state parks varies.
Known for its mountainous scenery, the North Bend Rail Trail offers easy riding across the length of north-central and western West Virginia, taking riders on a journey across 36 bridges and through 10 tunnels along the way — one of them being the “haunted” Silver Run Tunnel. Johnson T. Janes park offers a relaxing and mostly flat loop with a few challenging climbs that can always be omitted for a super-friendly beginner’s level ride. Across the river in Marietta, bicyclists can venture to the Marietta City Trail Network, which connects more than 30 miles of trail to the town’s historic downtown area.
Adjacent to the North Bend Rail Trail, North Bend State Park features a challenging singletrack that surrounds the park’s lake, campgrounds and lodge. But the most rugged and largest concentration of trails can be found at Wayne National Forest — with 80 miles of trail on 64,000 acres, challenge yourself with a single or multi-day ride. Mountain bikers can also find thrilling rides at top-rated, 2,000-acre Mountwood Park with 35 miles of flowing trail surrounding a pristine lake.
Mountwood Park also offers a complete horseback riding experience with 30 miles of horseback riding trails, a campsite with showers, and even a stall to house your equine friend. Pack up your family and bring your own horse from April 1 through October 31 for a memorable ride through one of West Virginia’s most beautiful parks.
Traipse through the woods on some of the best trails in the Appalachian Mountains in Greater Parkersburg’s state parks. At North Bend State Park, hikers can explore 14 hiking trails stretching 26 miles, ranging from beginner to expert mode. The 277-acre McDonough Wildlife Refuge features sightings of West Virginia wildlife including white-tailed deer, turkey, red and gray fox, and coyote along its clearly marked trails. Hiking, biking, ATV driving, camping, bird-watching, fishing, boating and more can be found at Mountwood Park, which lives up to its slogan, “something for everyone.”
Grab your paddle and hit the water for scenic kayaking in Parkersburg that the whole family can enjoy. At the Ohio River Water Trail, kayakers can paddle 39 miles of the Ohio River and 18 miles of the Little Kanawha River, located in and around Wood County, West Virginia. The Little Kanawha itself is a hidden gem, offering gentle and flat currents for paddlers of all kinds. Access points to the Little Kanawha can be found at Point Park in downtown Parkersburg, right outside city limits in Corning Park, and 11 miles outside of Parkersburg at Leachtown. In addition to great kayaking, the Little Kanawha is a fantastic spot for people looking to catch musky and small-mouth bass.
North Bend Rail Trail
The North Bend Rail Trail offers a scenic experience with splendid railroad elements and welcoming trail towns to be enjoyed. Stretching nearly 72 miles from Interstate 77 near Parkersburg (Cedar Grove) to Wolf Summit, the trail travels through an impressive 13 tunnels (10 passable), crosses 36 bridges, and passes through or near an assortment of state, county, and local parks. The trail is also part of the 5,500-mile, coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail.
Though it is easily accessible from Interstates 77 and 79, and it runs parallel to US 50, the trail passes through wild and natural areas. You will find an abundance of wildlife, including deer and beaver, and the farmland surrounding the small, rural communities that grew up along the railroad corridor provide prime bird-watching. The North Bend Rail Trail’s many points of interest and history include the former Stage Coach Inn in Pennsboro, a marble factory, hand-blown glass factories, outlet stores, arts-and-crafts markets, fairs and festivals, sites of train robberies, veterans memorials, a bike shop/general store and the legend of the ghost of tunnel 19, the Silver Run tunnel.
The North Bend Rail Trail is for hiking, biking, and horseback riding only. Trail users are encouraged to wear blaze orange or brightly colored outerwear during hunting seasons in West Virginia.
Dining
Looking for the perfect stop to grab a bite to eat after your long adventure? Greater Parkersburg is home to three charming craft breweries, great places to wind down after a day in the woods. Check out our fantastic locally-owned restaurants!
Lodging
Stay the night and relax after your outdoor adventure. Mountwood Park and North Bend State Park have a variety of lodging options, from campgrounds to cabins.
Mountwood Park Lodging
Mountwood Park’s Campground offers 78 campsites suitable for tents, trailers, and recreational vehicles. The campground has 14 full hookup sites and 64 sites with electric/water. Five of these campsites are lakeside. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring. Multiple bathhouses are located throughout the campground offering hot showers and clean restroom facilities. Firewood, refreshments, ATV and camping supplies are available from the campground store when the host is on duty. Families can enjoy a variety of campground and park activities throughout the season. A nature trail are also available for visitors to explore.
Mountwood Park also has a beautiful lakeside house with two units available for lodging. Each unit has one bedroom with a queen size bed and living room with a couch and two rocking chairs. The units are completely equipped for housekeeping with cooking utensils, dishes, linens, blankets, kitchens with modern appliances, and baths with built in shower/tub units. Guests need only to supply food and personal items. Unit #1 has a large built-on deck perfect for any family barbecue outing. Both units have central air and heating, making them a perfect place to enjoy a vacation getaway close to home.
Additionally, Mountwood Park has primitive cabins in the campground available to rent. Each cabin comes equipped with electric, two sets of bunk beds, ceiling fans/lights and a table with four chairs. Each Primitive Cabin has a fire ring and a charcoal grill and is located near the bathhouse and ATV trail head. Maximum occupancy is four people.
For more information on the campground, call 304-588-7613. For lakeside house reservations, call 304-679-3611.
North Bend State Park Lodging
North Bend State Park offers comfortable cabins, campgrounds, and a lodge with 29 guest rooms and a full-service restaurant.
North Bend State Park has nine cozy cabins atop a secluded ridge in a white pine forest. These gorgeous cabins are constructed out of solid cedar and are available year-round. Designated pet-friendly cabins are available. 3 of the cabins have a wheelchair accessible ramp and one is fully ADA accessible. Cabins offer fully equipped kitchens with range, refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, dinnerware and cookware, linens and relaxed settings.
North Bend has two campgrounds, the River Run Campground with 49 sites with Wi-Fi, 26 of which have 30/50 amp electric service and water hookups, and the Cokeley Campground, designed RVs and campers. 28 sites have an electrical system that will support A/C units and water. Both have ADA-compliant sites.
For more information, call 304-643-2931.
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