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 its family atmosphere and the 72-mile North Bend Rail Trail, which follows a rail-banked B&O Railroad corridor with several tunnels along the way.
Note: Restaurant hours may vary. Please call to ask for current hours. Click the Dining tab above, or scroll down to see Dining information.
Contact
- Phone: 304-643-2931
- Email: northbendsp@wv.gov
- 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.
Nature Center
The Nature Center at North Bend State Park operates seasonally. However, interpretive programs and activities are open year-round. Join the Park Naturalist/Park Activities Coordinator on a guided hike, education program or a craft to learn more about the park’s history and native plants and wildlife in the park.
Click here to view the current Nature Center schedule of events.
Click here to view the upcoming schedule of events at the Nature Center.
Dining
The North Bend State Park Restaurant located at the lodge, offers a full-service menu and is open year-round.
Fall Operating Hours:
Monday-Saturday
Breakfast
8-10 a.m.
Lunch
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Dinner Hours
5-8 p.m.
Sunday
Breakfast
8-10 a.m.
Lunch/Dinner
11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Restaurant hours may vary. Call 304-643-2931 ext. 312 to ask for current hours and dining room information.
Menus
Trails
Download Park Trail MapAccess 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 at the end of October and reopen for use or rental mid-spring.
Voyage!
Voyage! Two state parks welcome you in 2023 with accommodations and dining at North Bend State Park and a blend of activities at Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park.
Stay overnight at North Bend Lodge and enjoy dinner and breakfast. The package is for two individuals. If you have time while at the park, get outside and play mini golf which is also included. The mini golf is near the lodge. There are also trails nearby to hike or a comfortable lobby to sit and relax.
Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park is about 40 minutes from North Bend State Park. Voyage includes on-the-island experiences for two individuals: a horse drawn wagon ride/tour of the island (The Hardly Able Carriage Company is your host), a Blennerhassett Mansion tour led by docents providing the history of the structure and the island, and most important, two tickets to board the Island Belle sternwheeler to travel to and from the island.
Voyage to Blennerhassett Island with the North Bend State Park Voyage Package.
Package includes standard accommodations at North Bend State Park Lodge, round trip sternwheeler tickets to the island, a wagon ride tour, and entry into Blennerhassett Mansion.
Package pricing for two guests start at $169.99 and is available from May 1 through October 31, 2024.
For more information or to make a reservation, contact North Bend State Park at 304-643-2931
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.