Trails: Paths That Bring Us Together
Friends of Blackwater works to protect and promote natural beauty, diverse creatures, unique heritage, and the outdoor recreation economy in the Mid-Atlantic Allegheny Highlands -- home to the magnificent, 10,000-acre Blackwater Canyon – West Virginia’s “Scenic Crown Jewel.” Our professional staff and grass-roots citizen advocacy are a strong force for responsible conservation and sustainable progress in the Highlands.
The Monongahela National Forest… Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge… Blackwater Falls State Park… these public lands contain the most beautiful natural areas in West Virginia and the Allegheny Highlands.
Biking, hiking, and paddling offer some of the most immersive ways to experience the region’s landscapes, waterways, and communities. Friends of Blackwater works closely with land managers, municipalities, and civic organizations to plan, promote, and maintain a growing system of trails and access points that serve both residents and visitors. Our long-term goal is to create an interconnected, area-wide network of trails and water routes that link towns, public lands, and local attractions—strengthening outdoor recreation opportunities while supporting community vitality, tourism, and stewardship of the region’s natural resources.
Blackwater Canyon Rail-Trail Repair
Friends of Blackwater continues to lead efforts to safeguard the iconic Blackwater Canyon Rail Trail and ensure its long-term accessibility, safety, and historic value for all users. The historic stone culvert at Big Run is a key structural feature along the trail and has been severely compromised by landslide damage that exceeds what volunteer trail crews and community groups can repair on their own.
Over the past year, we’ve stepped up communications with the USDA Forest Service/Monongahela National Forest, urging immediate action to design and complete a long-lasting repair. Our advocacy includes formal letters, coordinated community outreach, and mobilizing local trail users and partners to raise awareness about the urgency of stabilizing the slide, protecting trail users, and preserving this cherished recreation corridor.
The Big Run Culvert isn’t just trail infrastructure—it’s part of the cultural and recreational heart of Blackwater Canyon, attracting thousands of hikers, bikers, and outdoor enthusiasts each year. It plays a vital role in our local outdoor economy and the broader conservation legacy of the Canyon.
We remain committed to working collaboratively with the Forest Service and community supporters until the Big Run repair is funded and completed, ensuring the trail remains safe, scenic, and sustainable for future generations.
Your voice matters help us continue to support these efforts!
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Blackwater River Loop Connector Trail
Tying the Canyon Together
The Blackwater Loop Connector Trail is a proposed regional connection that would link Davis and Thomas by weaving together the Blackwater Canyon Rail Trail with the existing trail network in Blackwater Falls State Park. While these trail systems currently sit on opposite sides of the river, the project proposes a signature cable-suspension pedestrian bridge crossing the North Fork Blackwater River below the Falls, offering a dramatic, one-of-a-kind view of this iconic landscape. The project also includes a boardwalk system designed to complement and extend the character of the existing boardwalks within the park.
This collaborative effort brings together Blackwater Falls State Park, the USDA Forest Service, the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, the West Virginia Division of Highways, and Friends of Blackwater. The trail system is being designed by Jim Christie and the landscape architecture team at Civil & Environmental Consultants and is currently undergoing environmental review prior to finalizing construction plans. Together, this project represents a transformative step toward safer connectivity, enhanced recreation, and a stronger link between the communities and landscapes of the Blackwater Canyon.
Douglas Falls Pedestrian Bridge
WV Mountain Railroad Trail
The West Virginia Mountain Railroad Trail is a visionary rail-to-trail initiative that reimagines more than 100 miles of historic railroad corridor as a continuous spine for recreation, heritage, and economic renewal across northern West Virginia and western Maryland. Following rail lines first built in the late 1800s to serve the coal and timber industries, the trail would reconnect more than 20 communities—from Davis and Thomas to Keyser and Cumberland—while linking directly to nationally significant routes like the Great Allegheny Passage and the C&O Canal Towpath. Designed as both a recreational asset and a catalyst for revitalization, the trail celebrates the region’s industrial legacy, supports trail-town development, and positions the corridor as a premier destination for walking, biking, and long-distance adventure tourism. By pairing heritage preservation with sustainable outdoor recreation, the West Virginia Mountain Railroad Trail represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to strengthen communities, grow local economies, and reconnect people to the landscapes and stories that define Appalachia.
Economic Impact Study & Executive Summary Complete
The West Virginia Mountain Railroad Trail has recently reached a major milestone with the completion of a comprehensive economic impact study and executive summary report, documenting the trail’s potential to drive tourism, support small businesses, and strengthen communities across the corridor. These planning efforts provide data-driven insight into projected visitation, job creation, and long-term economic benefits for West Virginia and the surrounding region, helping guide next steps toward implementation and investment. This work was made possible through the generous support of the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, and the Richard King Mellon Foundation, whose commitment to regional development and community revitalization continues to advance transformative projects like the West Virginia Mountain Railroad Trail.
