Mon River Rail-Trail | West Virginia Rails To Trails

Rail-Trails

Mon River Rail-Trail

Morgantown is known as the home of West Virginia University, the inspiration for a Joni Mitchell song and the birthplace of Don Knotts. But it’s also known for its extensive rail-trail system along the Monongahela River—one of a few American rivers that flows north—and its tributaries.

The Mon River Rail-Trail has a paved section near the middle called the Caperton Trail but on either end it is crushed stone.  The Caperton Trail has an urban feel but outside city limits the trail meanders along a former CSX rail line to Prickett’s Fort State Park. The trail lazily winds through a wooded river valley with many scenic river views, occasional waterfalls and a variety of wildflowers in the spring and autumn.

At the Mon River Trail’s southern end at Prickett’s Fort State Park, pick up the Marion County Trail (MCTrail) to reach Fairmont.

Trail users can also take the Caperton Trail north to reach the Pennsylvania state line and a future connection with the Sheepskin Trail on the other side of the border.

In the future, the developing Sheepskin Trail will connect to the Mon River Trail in Point Marion, Pennsylvania, allowing for a breathtaking journey from West Virginia to the famous Great Allegheny Passage.

Another rail-trail connecting in Morgantown is the Deckers Creek Trail, which climbs out of the valley and heads 19 miles southeast to Reedsville along Class VI rapids.

Trail Manager Contact

Mon River Trails Conservancy

P.O. Box 282
Morgantown, West Virginia 26507
304-692-6782
www.montrails.org

Notes

National Recreation Trail
Part of the planned Industrial Heartland Trails Coalition Parkersburg to Pittsburgh Corridor

Mon River Trails Conservancy- www.montrails.org

Trail of the Month February, 2015 http://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/2015/february/11/west-virginias-mon-river-trails/

Trail Stats

Trail Status Open
Trail End Points PA/WV state line to MCTrail at Prickett’s Fort State Park
Counties Marion, Monongalia
Trail Length 29 miles
Activities Hiking, Biking, Cross Country Skiing, Wheelchair Access
Trail Surface Crushed Stone, Asphalt in city limits named Caperton Trail
Trail Link Profile TrailLink.com Profile
Parking and Trail Access

Parking is available along the Caperton Trail in Star City at Edith Barill Riverfront Park; travel north on the paved trail a short distance to reach the Mon River Trail northern end. Exit at Boyers Avenue just before the highway crosses the Monongahela River. Take the first left onto Leeway Street and loop around next to the lumber company. A large parking lot is located adjacent to the river, just ahead.

Park at the Uffington boat dock, off of County Route 73, where Interstate 79 crosses the river. Parking is also available at the southern end at Prickett’s Fort State Park.

A map with trailheads is available at www.montrails.org