About This Park
Found among the Mid-Ohio Valley’s rolling hills, lakes and streams, North Bend State Park offers a multitude of recreational facilities in a beautiful pastoral setting. Named for the horseshoe curve of the North Fork of the Hughes River, this year-round park is lush with hiking trails and abundant wildlife. Located near Cairo and Harrisville, North Bend State Park is best known for the 72-mile North Bend Rail Trail, which follows a railbanked B&O Railroad corridor with several tunnels along the way.
Contact
- Phone: 304-643-2931
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 202 North Bend State Park Road, Cairo, WV 26337
History
Development of North Bend State Park began in 1951 when the state Legislature allotted funds to purchase land in Ritchie County. By 1954, the state had purchased 1,405 acres for the park. The park is located in West Virginia’s historic oil and gas fields. About 50 wells, dating from the 19th century, were once active in the present park area, and visitors may still see a few still standing around the park. As the park grew in popularity over the years, the lodge, campgrounds and recreational facilities were added to accommodate the growing number of visitors.
Dining
Before you leave, make sure you stop by the park’s lodge for some real home cooking! The North Bend Dining Room is open year-round and offers WiFi at no cost.
Trails
Access Trail to North Bend Rail Trail
Barton’s Lake Trail
Castle Rock Trail
Extra Mile Trail
Fisherman Trail
Giant Pine Trail
Giant Tree Trail
Gibbons Nature Trail
Hibbs Cemetery Trail
Nature Trail
Overhanging Rock Trail
Overlook Trail
Southern Railroad Trail
Tanker Run Spur Trail
Ten Acre Trail
Union Ridge Connector Trail
Water Edge Trail
Additional Information
Nature and Recreation
Get the most out of your time in this beautiful park with various events! A year-round nature and recreation program highlights the park’s natural and cultural history. Programs run daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day, but special programs or tours can be arranged for groups.
Picnic areas including picnic shelters are seasonal by nature. These areas close November 4 in 2019 and will reopen for use or rentals in mid-spring 2020.
North Bend Quest
Are you ready for a great adventure? Unique to North Bend State Park alone is the Quest program, an ala carte outdoor adventure, customized by you to meet your leisure time and interest. Build and package your quest by choosing from backcountry camping, canoe/kayaking, biking, backpacking, hiking, yoga, navigation, nature interpretation and other adventure activities at North Bend State Park.
For more information on the program, call Quest Leaders at 304-643-2931 or check out the program menu by clicking here.
Nearby Attractions
North Bend Rail Trail
Formerly a railbanked spur of the CSX system, the North Bend Rail Trail is part of the coast-to-coast American Discovery Trail. It stretches for 72 miles from I-77 near Parkersburg in Wood County, to Wolf Summit in Harrison County. The trail is easily accessible from North/South Interstates 77 and 79 and nearly parallels US Route 50 East and West.
Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park
Step back in time at this historic mansion filled with stories. The sternwheeler from Parkersburg’s Point Park will shuttle you to the historic island where Irish aristocrats Harman and Margaret Blennerhassett built their magnificent Palladian style mansion in 1800. The Blennerhassett home became a beacon of refined culture, taste and fashion in the wilderness — until events took a tragic turn with ties to American history. Be a guest of Blennerhassett Island and join the likes of George Rogers Clark, King Charles X of France, Johnny Appleseed, Henry Clay and Walt Whitman.
The Blennerhassett Museum of Regional History
The museum in Parkersburg showcases three floors of priceless historical relics and objects of art from the Ohio Valley’s past. The Blennerhassett Museum became the first professionally-operated, publicly-funded museum of regional history in west-central West Virginia.
Downtown Parkersburg and Greater Ritchie County Area
Shop, dine and enjoy a night out on the town in downtown Parkersburg or get out and explore more of Ritchie County! For upcoming events, festivals, things to do and other activities, visit greaterparkersburg.com and visitritchiecounty.com.