Elk River Trail

About This Park

Step outside and discover the scenic beauty of the Elk River along the Elk River Trail, the newest addition to the West Virginia State Parks system. The Elk River Trail currently stretches over 73 miles from Clendenin to Gassaway. The trail provides easy access to the Elk River for canoeing, kayaking or fishing and several beautiful waterfalls await along the trail. Thanks to its flat terrain, the Elk River Trail is perfect for all outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. The Elk River Trail is easily accessible from multiple exits off I-79.

Activities

Select an activity below to learn more

Biking

Boating

Fishing

Hiking

Trailheads

Elk River Trailheads

Duck – MP 40.2

Ivydale – MP 50.5

Dundon/Clay – MP 62.2

Hartland – MP 67.2

Directions to trailheads

To access the Duck trailhead take Servia Exit 46 on I-79 and follow Servia Road for 0.3 miles, turn right on WV 4 for 2.5 miles and then left on Bridge to Duck. Parking is available by the river for river for river use and by the rail trail for trail use.

To access the Ivydale trailhead take Big Otter Exit 40 on I-79 and follow WV-16 for 6.5 miles, turn right on WV-4 for 0.4 miles and then left over Ivydale Bridge. Take a right on Ivydale Ridge Road for 0.2 mile and you will find a large parking area available for trail use.

To access the Dundon/Clay trailhead take the Wallback./Clay Exit 34 on I-79, follow Wallback Road for 7.4 miles to Clay, then turn right Main St for 2.4 miles and make left Triplett Ridge Rod 1.1 miles, next take a right over Dundon Bridge. After crossing the bridge take an immediate right and then an immediate sharp right on the road down to the large parking area for Elk River Trail.

To access the Hartland trailhead take the Wallback/Clay Exit 34 on I-79 and follow WV-4 to Clay and WV-16 to Hartland Bridge across the Elk River, at the end of the bridge take a sharp left on the road under bridge. There is a large parking lot for trail and river use.

River Access Points

Duck

The Duck public river access point is located in the town of Duck a quarter mile south of the Clay-Braxton county line. The access point includes a concrete ramp ideal for transporting small boats including canoes and kayaks, with concrete steps along the ramp and a pad at the bottom of the ramp for boat entry and exit. Fifteen parking spots are available on a gravel lot along the Elk River. The parking lot is shared with the Elk River Duck Trailhead.

Directions to Duck Trailhead and River Access Point: Take I-79 Exit 46. Take Servia Road (CR-11) towards Duck until the road ends at the Elk River. Turn right onto State Route 4 south for 0.3 miles, then turn left onto Villanova Ridge Road. As soon as you cross the bridge, the parking is on the right.

King Shoals

The King Shoals public river access point is located 9.5 miles east of Clendenin on State Route 4 near the Kanawha-Clay county line. The access point includes a concrete ramp ideal for transporting small boats including canoes and kayaks, with concrete steps along the ramp and a pad at the bottom of the ramp for boat entry and exit. Nine parking spots are available on a gravel lot between Route 4 and the Elk River.

Directions to King Shoals River Access from Charleston: Take I-79 North to exit 19 Clendenin. Turn right toward Clendenin for 0.3 miles. Turn left onto State Route 4 and follow it for 9.5 miles. The location is on your right next to the river. If you pass the Camp Creek bridge, you’ve gone too far.

Queen Shoals

The Queen Shoals public access point is nearly 4 miles northeast of Clendenin on State Route 4 near the Queen Road bridge that crosses the Elk River. The access point includes a concrete ramp and steps for transporting small boats including canoes and kayaks. The bank along the Elk River is level and includes a sand bar where people often swim.

The Queen Shoals location includes eight parking spots on a dirt lot. The road is not rough with both cars and trucks often parked on the lot. Additional parking is available at the top of the embankment next to River Haven Road and is just a short walk down the gravel road to the river. The public access site is managed by the WV DNR.

Directions to Queen Shoals River Access from Charleston: Take I-79 North to exit 19 Clendenin. Turn right onto 119 South toward Clendenin for 0.3 miles. When the road ends in Clendenin, turn left onto State Route 4 and follow it for 4 miles until you reach Queen Road on your right. Turn right to cross the bridge, then make an immediate left turn onto River Haven Road. The location is on your left down the embankment next to the river.

Blue Creek

The Blue Creek public river access point is located on state route 119 beneath what’s commonly referred to as the Blue Creek bridge. The access point includes a concrete ramp ideal for transporting small boats including canoes and kayaks, with concrete steps along the ramp and a pad at the bottom of the ramp for boat entry and exit. At least eight parking spots are available on a gravel lot underneath the bridge.

Directions to Blue Creek River Access Point: Take I-79 Exit 9. Take Frame Road (CR-11) towards Elkview until the road ends at the stop sign. Turn left onto US Route 119 north for 1.3 miles. Just before you get to the bridge, take the dirt road that veers off to the right between the storage business and the homes on the left.

Charleston

The Charleston river access point is located at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center. A kayak launch ramp is available and kayakers can load their craft into a dry chute, sit down in their kayak and then gently launch themselves onto the water. The river is gentler and less swift here, allowing kayakers to paddle upstream. Kayakers can enter and exit the river from this launch point, which is often difficult in the swift water found at upstream launch points.

The launch is free for public use daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and can accommodate single and tandem kayaks, paddleboards and most canoes. Free parking is available at the Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center’s boat dock.

Directions to Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center River Access Point

From the East:
From I-64 or I-77, take the Washington Street and Civic Center Drive exit (Exit 58C)
Continue straight on Pennsylvania Avenue
Turn Left on to Virginia Street
Merge to the far left lane immediately
Turn Left on to Civic Center Drive
Turn Left on Quarrier Street
The Center Parking Building entrance is on the immediate right

From the West:
Take the Virginia Street exit (Exit 58B) on I-64
Stay to the right as you exit, this will put you on Virginia Street
Merge to the far left lane immediately
Turn Left on to Civic Center Drive
Turn Left on Quarrier Street
The Center Parking Building entrance is on the immediate right

Nearby Attractions

Walker Creek Farms and Cabins

Located in Nebo, West Virginia, Walker Creek Farms and Cabins features rustic cabins, beautiful hiking trails, fishing ponds and beautiful surroundings.

Elk River Get-A-Way

Elk River Get-A-Way offers kayaking, canoeing and fishing on the beautiful Elk River. You can even fish West Virginia’s infamous “muskie channel” or simply enjoy a tubing or paddling trip with your friends and family.

Clay Yak Rentals

Float along the Elk River with a kayak rental from Clay Yak Rentals. Clay Yak Rentals provide kayak, paddle, life jackets and safety whistle rentals.

Pizzas and Cream

Tucked away in the hills of West Virginia in Nebo, Pizzas and Cream offers custom brick oven specialty pizzas, homemade ice cream, gelato, and Italian ice.