Trailhead Directions

Turning old railways into recreation paths

North Bend Rail Trail

Getting to the Rail-Trail from Nearby Cities

Western Trailheads From Charleston, WV Follow I-77 North about 90 miles to Parkersburg. Exits to trail at either St. Rt. 47 or US Rt. 50. See detailed "Trailhead" directions below to each location.
Eastern Trailheads From Charleston, WV Follow I-79 North about 120 miles to Clarksburg. Exit west US Rt. 50, follow about 6 miles to first trailhead. See detailed "Trailhead" directions below to each location.
From Columbus, OH Follow I-70 east to I-77. Follow I-77 South to Parkersburg. Exits to trail at either St. Rt. 47 or US Rt. 50. See detailed "Trailhead" directions below to each location.
From Pittsburgh, PA Follow I-79 South about 100 miles to Clarksburg. Exit west US Rt. 50, follow about 6 miles to first trailhead. See detailed "Trailhead" directions below to each location.
From Elkins, WV Follow US. 33 West about 50 miles to I-79. Turn north on I-79, follow about 20 miles to Clarksburg. Exit west US Rt. 50, follow about 6 miles to first trailhead. See detailed "Trailhead" directions below to each location.

Finding the Trailheads

Parkersburg: I-77 & Rt. 47 Intersection Exit I-77, turn East on Rt. 47, turn right immediately onto old Rt. 47 and go 7/10 mile, turn right on Happy Valley Road and go 3/10 mile to Rail Trail, park on right side of road; this is the Western Terminus of the NBRT.
Walker From Parkersburg I-77 Exit, turn East on Rt. 47, turn right immediately onto old Rt. 47, go about 7 miles, turn left on Walker Road, and follow about 7 miles until crossing rail trial. Rail trail is visible from Walker Road for several miles before trailhead. Right on trial is west toward Parkersburg, left is east toward Clarksburg.
Petroleum From US 50, exit South on Goose Creek Road, follow about 7 miles to the community of Petroleum. Park at rail trail crossing. Right on trail is west toward Parkersburg, left is east toward Clarksburg.
Cairo From US 50, exit South on State Rt. 31, follow about 4 miles across bridge in Cairo. The rail-trail crosses Rt. 31 in the center of the business district. Parking is on left in front of bike shop, on right after trail along Rt. 31, and on Sunday, in bank parking lot after trail, about 100 yards on left. If there is no parking available in Cairo, proceed on Rt 31, to turnoff to North Bend State Park. (Although there are several dozen parking spots in Cairo, parking can be hard to find on nice spring and fall weekends. Cairo is often the most crowded trailhead along the North Bend.)
North Bend State Park from Parkersburg From US 50 East, exit South on State Rt. 31, follow signs through Cairo to North Bend State Park, about 7 miles. At entrance to park, go past main lodge, following signs to the campground. At the campground, turn left across bridge into recreation area. Parking available along road through recreation area. On bicycle or foot follow road through recreation area to 1/2 mile long access trail past picnic shelter to Rail Trail. At intersection of access trail and Rail Trial, right is east toward Clarksburg, and left is west toward Parkersburg.
North Bend State Park from Clarksburg From US 50 West, exit South on State Rt. 16 at Ellenboro. Follow signs through Harrisville to North Bend State Park, about 10 miles. At park entrance, go past main lodge, following signs to the campground. At the campground, turn left across bridge into recreation area. Parking available along road through recreation area. On bicycle or foot follow road through recreation area to 1/2 mile long access trail past picnic shelter to Rail Trail. At intersection of access trail and Rail Trial, right is east toward Clarksburg, and left is west toward Parkersburg.
Ellenboro From US 50, exit North onto State Rt. 16, parking lot 1/4 mile on right just beyond trail overpass. From parking lot, right across overpass is west toward Parkersburg, left is east toward Clarksburg. If trailhead parking lot is full, public parking is available along town streets to the east of the trail overpass.
Pennsboro From US 50, exit North onto Rt. 74, follow Rt. 74 one mile to old Depot on Rail Trail. Facing Depot from parking lot right is east, toward Clarksburg, and left is west, toward Parkersburg.
Greenwood From US 50, exit North at Greenwood exit, follow exit road about 1/2 mile, park at WV Dept. of Highways or at Greenwood Motel. Trail is on hillside behind motel.
West Union From US 50, exit North onto Rt. 18. Cross under longest trail trestle, visible from US 50, and turn right to athletic field or left to town. Facing trail trestle from US 50, right is east toward Clarksburg, and left is west toward Parkersburg.
Smithburg From US 50, exit South at Smithburg exit, turn right at bottom of hill onto old Rt. 50, go left on old Rt. 50 1/2 mile to Smithburg Depot and Spencer Park. Parking is available in front of Depot or at park. Facing the Depot from old Rt. 50, right is west toward Parkersburg, and left is east toward Clarksburg.
Salem From US 50, exit south onto Rt. 23, continue into town to Depot. The trail runs the length of town. From Rt. 23, facing the Depot, right is west toward Parkersburg and left is east toward Clarksburg.
Bristol From US 50, exit south onto Raccoon Run Road. Raccoon Run Road crosses the trail immediately. Park alongside the trail or at the nearby bike shop. From US 50, right is west toward Parkersburg, and left is east toward Clarksburg.
Wolf Summit From US 50, exit north at the Wolf Summit exit. The exit crosses the trail immediately. From US 50 left is west toward Parkersburg, right is the Eastern Terminus, a few hundred feet away. Wolf Summit is the access point closest to Clarksburg.

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