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Print Friendly MapThree trails comprise the Mon River Rail-Trail System—the Mon River Trail, Caperton Trail, and Deckers Creek Trail, which radiate from Morgantown for 48 miles through former Allegheny Plateau coalfields in north-central West Virginia.
Inducted into the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame in 2020, the trails roll past bustling urban settings, remote rural areas, and rusting remnants of the industrial past. Officials credit the rail-trail with boosting tourism, giving locals a recreational outlet, helping to transform Morgantown’s riverfront into an attractive destination, and building support for the restoration of polluted Deckers Creek.
Two of the trails—the Mon River Trail and Caperton Trail—trace the Monongahela River for 29 miles, from the West Virginia–Pennsylvania state line through Morgantown to Prickett’s Fort State Park. The 19-mile Deckers Creek Trail runs along a creek of the same name between Morgantown and Reedsville.
The Mon River and Caperton Trails follow the route of the Fairmont, Morgantown and Pittsburgh Railroad, opened in 1894. Later acquired by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O), the route—known as the Pittsburgh Division or Sheepskin Line—hauled coal to Pittsburgh. The Deckers Creek Trail got its start as the Morgantown and Kingwood Railroad in the early 20th century but later became part of the B&O. After both merged into CSX Transportation, they were shut down due to dwindling traffic in the 1990s.
Starting at the 1.7-mile Sheepskin Rail-Trail’s southern terminus at the Pennsylvania border, the compacted-stone Mon River Trail runs south along the wooded riverbank of the Monongahela River for 6.3 miles to Star City, where it meets the Caperton Trail.
The only trail in the system that’s entirely paved, the 5.7-mile Caperton Trail passes the Edith Barill Riverfront Park in Star City, West Virginia University’s Core Arboretum in Morgantown, and the outdoor amphitheater at Hazel Ruby McQuain Riverfront Park, next to the re-stored B&O train depot.
The Decker Creek Trail forks left just after the riverfront park at 3.7 miles, following the Monongahela River tributary on a steady climb into the Allegheny foothills. The first 2.5 miles are paved; the rest is crushed gravel. In a few miles it enters a rocky gorge where the creek noisily rushes over rapids and waterfalls. At Masontown, a restored 1907 coal company building provides restrooms and drinking fountains. The grade flattens, and woods give way to pastures and farmland around Reedsville.
Back in Morgantown, the right fork of the trail network follows the Caperton Trail another 1.5 miles to the southern section of the Mon River Trail. The crushed-stone trail follows the serpentine route of the Monongehela River for 17.3 miles to Prickett’s Fort State Park, a reconstructed frontier stronghold built in 1774.
The trail meets the Marion County Trail (MCTrail), which follows Prickett Creek another 2.4 miles to Fairmont. The trail system is part of the Parkersburg to Pittsburgh Corridor, a 240-mile corridor being developed by the Industrial Heartland Trails Coalition, a Rails-to-Trails Conservancy TrailNation project to create a 1,500-mile trail network through Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and New York.
Other trails on this corridor route include the North Bend Rail Trail, Harrison North Rail-Trail, West Fork River Trail (see page 221), and MCTrail in West Virginia and the Sheepskin Trail in Pennsylvania.
There are numerous other access points and parking areas along the entire route; refer to the TrailLink map and the individual trail pages for more details.
My brother and I rode this trail last week (July 14-15). Our trip included not only the Mon River Trail North and South but also the Caperton Trail, a little of the Sheepskin Trail, the MC Trail (Marion County Trail) and few miles of the Deckers Creek Trail. We broke it up in 2 days as we wanted to take enough time to enjoy Prickett’s Fort State Park. I would encourage anyone to visit it as it was enjoyable. The fort is a reconstruction of the original from 1774. It provided a place for settlers to seek refuge from Indian attacks. Also, the original farmhouse built in 1859 by Job Prickett along with the Bray Blacksmith Shop are nearby. The folks explaining about the history were very good. There is a museum with a nice video show and a gift shop.
Day 1 of our trip started at the Van Voorhis Road Trail Head (almost MM4). (Note: The trailhead has additional parking on the other side but be careful as the road is not in good shape). We were staying at a B&B right there so it made things very convenient. Both days were in the 90’s however, we were riding in enough shade. We started south. The Monongahela River was next to us. Within in a few miles or so, the trail becomes the Caperton Trail (MM6). The trail transitions from crushed limestone to a paved surface. There are plackets located around explaining some history about Morgantown and Star City. These are always nice to read. You can see the monorail transit system for West Virginia University (WVU). Also, right off the trail there was an entrance to the Seneca Center where we found history of the old Seneca Glass Company. The center has local shops and restaurants and a bike shop. A branch for the Deckers Creek Trail will be next (MM10) and we rode a few miles of it. The elevation change is a bit steep but we did not encounter that in those few miles. We proceeded back south on the Caperton Trail for a mile or so at which it becomes the Mon River South Trail (MM11+) and crushed limestone again. The next 6 miles the Monongahela River is on one side and some rock formations with small water falls are on the other side. We saw a dam near Hildebrand (1 of 3 for the 2 days) and one train whistle stop stone marker. Mostly shady and at times felt pockets of cooler air coming through which made it better. Around MM17 we decided to stop and return back. Once we were at our starting point, we rode the Mon River Trail North to Point Marion to do a little of the Sheepskin Trail. A point of interest is the Fort Martin (Coal) Power Station which was something to see. (Note: No “Entering Pennsylvania or Entering West Virginia” signs – which we were hoping for). Rode around Point Marion for a bit and returned back to call it a day. 43+ miles.
Day 2, we drove to Prickett’s Fort State Park. The MC Trail (Marion County Trail) starts there and the trail is mainly in the shade and is paved. The enjoyable part is riding through the 1200-foot lighted Meredith Tunnel. The trail is around 3 miles. When we got back, we took time to enjoy Prickett’s Fort State Park. Afterwards, we started our trip riding north on the Mon Rail Trail South section (MM 29) to where we stopped the day before (MM 17). Crushed limestone and again the Monongahela River on one side and interesting rock formations with small water falls on the other. We stopped into The Junction Café (which is located in the state park) for something to eat after our bike ride. Day 2 was 31 plus miles.
Both days were fun with plenty to see especially with Prickett’s Fort State Park. The crushed limestone was small and very easy to ride. No big holes or gullies. We both have hybrids and we average between 8 to 10 MPH to just enjoy ourselves. Note: there were not many portable potties once you were off of the Caperton Trail. There was one at the Van Voorhis Road Trail Head.
38 miles round trip of shaded bliss. Nice wide track of crushed stone. No facilities except at Ft Prickett. Rode in 100 degree heat but was very comfortable.
Great segments with bike shop in the middle right on the trail. A few porta potties on the route were nice.
What a gem! North Central West Virginia is lucky to have this trail system. I can’t wait until the 238 miles Parkersburg to Pittsburgh Trail is complete! It will be fantastic when all of the trails from the North Bend Trail to the trails in Clarksburg, Shinnston, Fairmont, and Morgantown are linked!
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