Photo by West Virginia Department of Tourism .
Photo by West Virginia Department of Tourism .
Tygart Lake State Park . Photo by West Virginia Department of Tourism .
Tourism
The Mountaineer Trails is a 16-county network of trails in North Central West Virginia . In 2024 , the five initial hubs , four non-motorized bike trails and one water trail will launch .
“ It ’ s really just trying to capitalize on attracting those outdoor recreational biking and boating enthusiasts , particularly within a day ’ s drive of North Central West Virginia ,” says Susan Riddle , president and CEO of Visit Mountaineer Country Convention and Visitors ’ Bureau ( CVB ). “ We are strategically and geographically focused and located ideally for a majority of the population in the country to get here in less than a day ’ s drive .”
The City of Fairmont is working on the Fairmont Rail Trail Connector project that will close a 4.5-mile gap in the Parkersburg to Pittsburgh corridor .
“ The first step of this is implementing the West Fork River Trail extension , a 2.5-mile build-out along the riverfront , with a public trailhead with amenities at its terminus in the Beltline neighborhood ,” says Shae Strait , Fairmont ’ s director of planning and development . “ This will be followed up with other projects connecting the rail trail to downtown , Fairmont State , other neighborhoods and eventually to the MCTrail , which runs through Prickett ’ s Fort .”
The City of Fairmont finalized property acquisitions in summer 2023 . This is all a piece of a five-year plan with construction likely to begin in 2024 with a larger 10-year plan to construct a new pedestrian bridge across the Monongahela River from downtown to Palatine Park , Strait says .
In Taylor County , Tygart Lake State Park offers swimming , kayaking , canoeing , fishing , boating , water skiing and scuba diving . The Tygart Adventure Lake by ACE Adventures continues to expand , attracting visitors from neighboring states . It features giant inflatables and a sandy beach with lounge chairs .
“ We are really trying to focus on our strengths and tourism certainly is that ,” says Patricia Henderson , Taylor County EDA executive director .
Fans of flat water or rapids can enjoy kayaking or rafting the Cheat River . Up north in Morgantown , campers and hikers often find their way to Coopers Rock State Forest , which also offers rock climbing and zip lines . In Fairmont , Valley Falls State Park offers fly fishing and guests can view the scenic waterfalls .
Sports tourism is a growing industry in Mountaineer Country if outdoor recreational sports aren ’ t your style . A non-motorized bike park will open in 2024 at Mylan Park in Morgantown . The Bridge Sports Complex in Bridgeport continues to grow with expanded sports tournament schedules , bringing outside dollars into the city . It currently offers aquatics , club sports , youth programs , adult leagues and fitness training .
Often an events-driven destination , Riddle says bidding on major sporting events helps magnify awareness of the region .
“ When we did the bidding process for the USA Diving Olympic Trials , we got a lot of national press and we ’ re continuing to build out those relationships where we have those opportunities ,” she says . “ Next year , we ’ re bringing in the state of Pennsylvania YMCA Swimming Championship and also the Junior Nationals with USA Diving . Those very specific destination branding advancement type of events are things that we ’ re trying to really see what we can do to magnify the area .”
As for community events , Preston County offers the Buckwheat Festival to celebrate the wheat crop that offered agricultural economic development during the Great Depression , and Doddridge County offers the Ephraim Bee Festival to honor its own pioneer . Each fall , Morgantown residents and visitors alike can view the foliage from above during Balloons Over Morgantown where nearly 20 hot air balloons launch from the Morgantown Airport .
All in all , Mountaineer Country offers an array of opportunities , promotes progress and demonstrates ingenuity all may benefit from . •
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