The West Virginia Northern Rail Trail has two miles of rail-trail open starting at the Kingwood Trailhead Park near neighborhoods and woods. Split-log benches complement to the woodsy character of the trail and provide vantage points for scenic views. At the trailhead is a natural playground and weather shelter.
A southern disconnected section of trail is open in Tunnelton with a community park and approximately 1 mile of rail-trail and has along it a fitness station, chess/checkers tables, cornhole, bocce, and a weather shelter.
When completed, these sections will be connected creating a 10-mile trail ccupying the former West Virginia Northern railroad bed between Kingwood and Tunnelton in Preston County. The short-line railroad moved coal for nearly a century and was replaced briefly by a tourist railroad before ultimately being abandoned.
======================
Project History
PCPARC received an award of $420,000 from the Recreational Trails Program for rail-trail design and construction of the first 2 miles out of Kingwood which was opened in 2020. They have since built and opened the Tunnelton Trailhead and built one mile near Tunnelton.
PCPaRC is in the process of seeking funding for the design and construction of the remaining trail corridor.
Trail Manager Contact
Trail Manager
Preston County Parks and Recreation Commission
Rachelle Thorne
Email: PrestonCountyParks@gmail.com
Send Email
304-602-3680 (o)
443-878-8547 (c)
Web Sites
Preston County Parks
Facebook
