CLAY, W.Va. — A visitor center and more than four miles of trail have been added to the 73-mile Elk River Trail in central West Virginia, a hiking and biking route that shares its path with the Elk River Water Trail, a popular kayak destination. The new center will open at a public open house in Dundon, near Clay, on May 21.
Dillard Price, acting chief of W.Va. State Parks, said the new center and trail extension are significant.
“The opening of the Elk River Trail headquarters marks a major milestone in our mission to enhance the visitor experience while honoring West Virginia’s rich industrial heritage,” Price said. “By providing a central hub for trail information, local history and essential amenities, we are making it easier than ever for hikers, bikers and history enthusiasts to explore the region’s beauty.”
Ken Tawney, president of the Elk River Trail Foundation, said the improvements are vital to the region’s economic growth. Shadowed by expressway I-79, the trail leads through a scenic valley alongside the
Home of the Clendenin Brewing Co., Main Street in Clendenin, West Virginia, looks toward the Elk River.“This acquisition is a significant win for West Virginia’s growing rail-trail system and a testament to the power of strategic partnerships,” Price said.
“By adding to the trail, including the beautifully developed section through Clendenin, we are providing visitors with more seamless access to the scenic Elk River. We are proud to work alongside the Town of Clendenin to ensure this stretch remains a premier destination for outdoor recreation.”
Through an Abandoned Mine Lands Reclamation grant for $1.5 million, the state was able to extend the ready-to-use trail along a bed owned by the Elk River Railroad from Mile Post 89.7 at Queen Shoals to Mile Post 94 in Clendenin. The new section includes a mile of paved trail to Clendenin as well as several existing park benches and a gazebo.
The state entered into an agreement with the Town of Clendenin to operate, maintain, and patrol this new section, and will provide support while the day-to-day operations will be administered by our partners in the town.
West Virginia’s state parks and forests admit more than seven million people each year, consist of 36 parks, nine forests, and three rail trails, and are managed by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, a division of the West Virginia Department of Commerce.
The new Elk River Trail headquarters, located at 12 Buffalo Creek Road, invites the public to attend an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Find out more about the Elk River Trail.