Elk River Trail

Elk River Trail State Park is one of the newest additions to the West Virginia state park system, announced in 2019 by Governor Jim Justice. The park follows the Elk River for 73 miles from Clendenin in Kanawha County to Gassaway in Braxton County, spanning three counties including Clay County in between. The trail is principally a rail trail, incorporating former railroad beds along the river and two of its tributaries, with an additional 18-mile rails-with-trail section running along Buffalo Creek in Clay County. The Elk River railbed was purchased from owner Frank Jorgenson after rail transportation of coal out of the region was no longer economical, transforming abandoned industrial infrastructure into a recreational asset. The virtually flat trail follows a one-half percent grade alongside the Elk River Water Trail for its entire length through otherwise mountainous, rugged terrain, making it accessible to users of widely varying fitness levels. The trail is open for hiking, biking, running, horseback riding, and paddling on the parallel water trail, with Class 1 and Class 3 e-bikes also permitted.

The Elk River Trail State Park corridor provides exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities as the trail passes through rural, largely undeveloped terrain in central West Virginia. Trail users regularly spot white-tailed deer, black bears, bobcats, foxes, rabbits, and squirrels along the riverside corridor. American beavers and river otters inhabit the Elk River and its tributaries, with beaver dams and lodges visible from the trail in multiple locations. Bald eagles have become increasingly common along the Elk River, riding thermals above the valley and fishing in the river's pools. Wild turkeys, great blue herons, belted kingfishers, and numerous songbird species are frequently observed. The Elk River itself supports an impressive fishery, with the river renowned for large muskellunge, walleye, and smallmouth bass. The critically endangered diamond darter, known to exist only in the Elk River, represents one of the most significant aquatic conservation concerns along the trail corridor. Multiple West Virginia state record fish have been caught in the Elk River. The combination of the river water trail and the adjacent rail trail creates a linear wildlife corridor that connects diverse habitats from the mountain headwaters through the increasingly settled downstream sections.

The vegetation along the Elk River Trail State Park corridor reflects the mixed mesophytic forest ecosystem of central West Virginia's unglaciated hill country. The surrounding mountainsides support mature hardwood forests dominated by various oak species, tulip poplar, sugar maple, red maple, hickory, and beech, creating a dense canopy that frames the river valley through which the trail passes. Sycamores, silver maples, and box elders line the riverbanks, with their root systems helping stabilize the banks against erosion. Rhododendron thickets occupy shaded stream mouths and north-facing slopes where tributaries enter the Elk River. The trail corridor itself supports a mix of vegetation including grasses, wildflowers, and pioneer species that have colonized the former railbed. Wetland areas along the river's floodplain contain sedges, rushes, and emergent aquatic plants that provide important habitat for amphibians and waterbirds. Spring wildflower displays are notable, with species including Virginia bluebells, bloodroot, and trillium blooming in the adjacent forests. The relatively undisturbed character of the surrounding landscape, in a region little changed by industrialization and urbanization, has preserved extensive tracts of native forest along the trail corridor.

The Elk River Trail State Park follows a geological corridor carved by the Elk River through the Appalachian Plateau of central West Virginia. The underlying bedrock consists of Pennsylvanian and Permian age sedimentary rocks, primarily sandstones, shales, and coal seams deposited approximately 250 to 320 million years ago in ancient river delta and coastal swamp environments. One of the most remarkable geological features along the Elk River is a six-mile stretch in Randolph County where, during dry weather, the river sinks underground through a hole in the streambed, leaving the old rocky riverbed exposed above ground in a section known as The Dries. According to local legend, underground Elk was created in 1896 when a hole opened in the streambed and simply swallowed the river. The river's 172-mile course from its headwaters in Pocahontas County to its confluence with the Kanawha River at Charleston cuts through varied geological formations, with the trail section passing through areas of moderate relief where stream erosion has created the valleys and ridges characteristic of central West Virginia. Coal seams visible in exposed outcrops along the trail corridor reflect the geological formations that once supported the railroad's economic purpose of transporting coal.

The Elk River Trail State Park corridor experiences a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons, typical of central West Virginia. Winters are moderately cold with average temperatures in the upper 20s to low 40s Fahrenheit, with regular snowfall that generally does not accumulate to great depths at the trail's relatively low elevations along the river valley. Summers are warm and humid, with average highs in the mid to upper 80s, though the proximity to the river provides some cooling effect. Spring arrives in late March and April with wildflower displays along the forested hillsides and the return of migratory birds. Autumn brings spectacular foliage as the surrounding hardwood forests transform through October and into early November. Annual precipitation averages approximately 42 to 46 inches, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year. Summer thunderstorms can produce heavy rainfall that temporarily raises the Elk River's level, affecting both trail conditions in low-lying areas and paddling conditions on the water trail. The river valley orientation channels wind along the corridor, which can be a factor for cyclists on the exposed trail sections. Winter conditions may make some trail sections slippery, though the mild grades reduce hazards compared to steeper mountain trails.

The Elk River valley has been a corridor of human activity for thousands of years, beginning with Native American peoples who traveled and hunted along its banks. According to historian Roy Bird Cook, the Shawnee designated the river as the river of plenty fat elk, giving it the name that persists today. The river served as a vital transportation route for floating large rafts of logs and crossties out of the central and eastern West Virginia forests during the late 1800s and early 1900s, when the region's timber resources were being intensively harvested. The advent of railroads, including the West Virginia Coal and Coke Railroad and the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, supplanted river transportation and opened the coalfields to industrial-scale mining. The railroad bed that now forms the trail was built to transport coal from mines in the Elk River valley to processing facilities and markets. The construction of the Sutton Dam by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1961 tamed the floods that had periodically devastated communities along the middle and lower Elk River. The Elk River traverses the central heartland of West Virginia, through regions preserving authentic mountain musical traditions, crafts, and cultural heritage celebrated in W.E.R. Byrne's classic 1940 book, Tale of the Elk.

Elk River Trail State Park was announced in 2019 when Governor Jim Justice designated the trail system as the newest addition to the West Virginia state park system. The creation of the park followed the purchase of the Elk River railbed from owner Frank Jorgenson after the economic decline of coal transportation by rail made the infrastructure surplus to industrial needs. The transformation of the abandoned rail corridor into a recreational trail represented a creative approach to economic development in central West Virginia, converting industrial legacy into a tourism asset. The trail is managed by the State of West Virginia and operated by the Division of Natural Resources, State Parks Section. Development has proceeded in phases, with approximately 52 miles of trail open as of September 2024, with the full 73-mile route still under construction. An additional 18-mile rails-with-trail section along Buffalo Creek in Clay County was developed to complement the main river trail. In 2024, Rail Explorers launched rail-bike rides on the Buffalo Creek section, featuring dual and quad pedal-driven and motorized e-bikes on the railroad track. Economic development around the trail has begun, with plans for museums, breweries, and cycling facilities emerging along the corridor, particularly in the downstream section between the park and Charleston.

The centerpiece of Elk River Trail State Park is the 73-mile rail trail running alongside the Elk River from Clendenin to Gassaway, with approximately 52 miles currently open for use. The virtually flat trail, with only a one-half percent grade, follows the former railroad bed and is suitable for hiking, biking, running, and horseback riding. The parallel Elk River Water Trail provides opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, tubing, and fishing along the same corridor, creating a unique dual-trail experience. An additional 18-mile section along Buffalo Creek in Clay County extends the trail network, featuring the newly opened Rail Explorers rail-bike experience where visitors can ride pedal-driven and motorized e-bikes directly on the railroad tracks. The trail passes through scenic rural terrain with views of forested mountains, river bends, and small communities. Multiple trailheads provide access along the route, allowing users to select distances appropriate for their abilities and interests. The Elk River's reputation as one of West Virginia's premier fishing rivers adds angling as a major draw, with muskellunge, walleye, and smallmouth bass attracting fishermen from across the region. The trail's passage through communities with authentic Appalachian culture provides opportunities to experience local restaurants, shops, and seasonal events along the route.

Elk River Trail State Park spans three counties in central West Virginia, with multiple access points along its length. The trail can be accessed from Clendenin in Kanawha County at its southern terminus and from Gassaway in Braxton County at its northern end, with additional trailheads at communities along the route including Clay and other towns. The Dundon Trailhead provides access to the 18-mile Buffalo Creek section. Parking is available at multiple trailheads. The trail is accessible from Interstate 79 via state routes connecting to the river valley communities. Facilities along the trail are still being developed, with restrooms and parking areas at major trailheads. Local communities along the route provide services including restaurants, lodging, and outfitters for river activities. Rail Explorers operates rail-bike experiences on the Buffalo Creek section, requiring advance reservations. The trail surface varies from improved gravel to more primitive sections depending on the stage of development. Users should be prepared for changing conditions and carry adequate water and supplies for longer trips. Cell phone service is available in the communities but may be limited in more remote sections of the trail corridor. The trail is open year-round, though winter conditions may affect surface quality.

Conservation along the Elk River Trail State Park corridor addresses both the protection of the Elk River ecosystem and the sustainable development of recreational infrastructure. The Elk River supports the critically endangered diamond darter, found nowhere else on Earth, making water quality protection along the corridor a matter of species survival. The river's importance as drinking water supply for Charleston and other communities adds urgency to watershed protection efforts. The conversion of abandoned railroad infrastructure into recreational trail represents an innovative form of land reclamation, transforming industrial brownfield into public green space without requiring new land disturbance. Riparian buffer zones along the trail help protect riverbank stability and filter runoff from the trail surface. The trail's design as a relatively low-impact recreational facility, accommodating non-motorized uses and maintaining the gentle grades of the original railroad, minimizes environmental disturbance. Economic sustainability is a key consideration, as the trail is intended to generate tourism revenue that supports both trail maintenance and community development along the corridor. The partnership between state management and local communities ensures that conservation goals are balanced with economic development objectives. Ongoing monitoring of water quality, wildlife populations, and trail conditions informs adaptive management of this extensive linear park.