West Virginia's

New Frontier

of outdoor recreation

What is the Mountaineer Trail Network?

The MTN is a legislatively created recreation authority that is working to position West Virginia as a premier recreational trail destination in the United States. 

As of 2024 the MTN consists of five hub areas that are the region’s most visitor-ready trail destinations. These local trail networks have been connected and unified through consistent infrastructure, branding, signage, and marketing efforts. 

By continuing to grow our network and forge connections across West Virginia we hope to incorporate additional communities as partners by helping to identify their outdoor recreation opportunities, collaborate on user focused enhancements, and promote these partners through consistent branding.

MISSION

The Mountaineer Trail Network (MTN) is an economic development authority created by the West Virginia legislature to identify, enhance, and promote outdoor recreation infrastructure and outdoor economic development.
Find Out More

200

Miles of Trail

5 Hub Destinations uniquely positioned within the Network to give trail users an curated selection of the Mountain State’s premier outdoor recreation opportunities.

20

MOUs
Signed

Through our 2019 Legislative Statute, the MTN has been highly involved with state agencies, public and nonprofit organizations, and private businesses and landowners to enhance and promote the best and brightest public and private trail systems for communities and visitors alike.

18

Represented
Communities

Wild Places are a cornerstone of what makes West Virginia special and the MTN and our partners seek to build lasting relationships between these lands and their interconnected communities and businesses to grow West Virginia socially and economically.

Counties

IN NETWORK

BARBOUR
DODDRIDGE
GRANT
HARRISON
LEWIS
MARION
MINERAL
MONONGALIA
POCAHONTAS
PRESTON
RANDOLPH
RITCHIE
TAYLOR
TUCKER
UPSHUR
WOOD

*Hub Locations

20

Trail Groups
Collaborated

Collaboration is a driving force within the Mountaineer Trail Network and through 2023 the MTN has build meaningful relationships with federal, state, and local non-profit organizations and trail centered communities.

11

Waterway 
Access Points

As the first water trail within the MTN, the Cheat River Water Trail offers paddlers and recreators a wide variety of outdoor related activities. The MTN is currently working on enhancement projects for signage and improvements on each of the 11 current waterway access points.

5

Infrastructure Projects

The MTN is currently facilitating signage on over 200 miles of existing trail, facilitating the funding for improved waterway access points, aiding in the design and construction of new trails, and supporting the advancement of trail centric projects like changing rooms and bike repair and washing stations.

trails

5 Hubs

Bike.  paddle.  explore.

Big Bear Lake Camplands & Trail Center

Big Bear Lake Camplands & Trail Center is a privately owned trail system located in Preston County, West Virginia. Years of trail development, by experienced mountain bikers, have created a trail system that will have you grinning ear to ear. Almost 50 miles of trail wind through knee deep ferns, soft needle pine plantations, and groves of mountain laurel on trails that offer a range of experiences for riders of different skill levels. The Big Bear Lake Trail Center is the place to bring the entire family to experience mountain biking at its best.

Mountwood Park

The greater Mid-Ohio Valley, already nationally recognized for its off-road cycling opportunities, has at Mountwood Park its oldest and perhaps most-beloved trail system. Over 30 miles of hike/biking singletrack make Mountwood Park one of the eastern United States's most highly regarded and most ridden mountain bike destinations. It’s no wonder why so many riders travel from near and far to ride Mountwood’s singletrack again and again. Meticulously designed, constructed, and maintained, the trails at Mountwood Park consistently receive praise from riders for their fun factor.

Camp 70

Nestled just outside the town of Davis, WV in the mountains of Tucker County is the Camp 70 trail system. This iconic system of trails features a long history of amazing riding, racing, and community support from a number of engaged partners. Enjoy fast downhills through scenic spruce forests and challenge yourself on the rocky outcroppings at Moon Rocks. All while taking in the cool clean mountain air and immersing yourself in all that Tucker County has to offer. With a long list of amazing trails coupled with fantastic food, breweries, and entertainment right next door, the Camp 70 trail system is a cornerstone of the Mountaineer Trail Network.

Cheat River Water Trail & Narrows Whitewater

The Cheat River’s status as one of the longest free-flowing rivers in the eastern United States provides a wealth of recreational opportunities. From some of the most difficult white water runs in West Virginia to some of the best trout and smallmouth bass fishing throughout Appalachia, the Cheat offers an escape for everyone. The formation of the Cheat River’s main stem marks the start of the Upper Cheat River Water Trail with several access points near Parsons and Hendricks. The trail covers nearly 40 miles of beautiful water through calm, flat pools and wide, shallow riffles. Currently, eleven existing access points allow for trips of various lengths and scenic opportunities. The Cheat’s status as a biodiversity hotspot means wildlife encounters are typical – expect to see a brilliant display of the region’s flora and fauna as you meander through the Water Trail’s scenic valleys, open pastures and forested mountainsides.

Snowshoe Backcoutry

With 11,000 acres at our disposal, you better believe Snowshoe’s got some trails worth mountain biking and hiking. That's like 17 square miles of unspoiled wilderness complete with unique flora, scenic overlooks, and challenging rock scrambles. Enjoy a quick ride through the Fingers or plan a full day of riding out to the Mower Tract and back. Snowshoe’s backcountry trails have an exciting array of well built trails paired with unmatched scenery. Much like their on-resort bike park trails, Snowshoe’s backcountry trails range from easy to difficult, so whatever your ability level, grab a map from Snowshoe’s on-site Depot or Mountain Adventure Center (MAC) in the village, and explore Snowshoe's backcountry.


What We Do

Identify

  • The MTN will assist communities or trail centers to identify existing trail opportunities or new trail opportunities that could be built or enhanced to be included in the network.

  • The MTN will help with funding research, access to resources, and administrative assistance.

Enhance

  • The MTN will administer legal MOUs (liability protection under WV Code 20-17A) and Project Agreements with New MTN Hub Partners to support the creation of trail hubs for inclusion into the network.

  • The MTN will inventory trail systems and a build out of trail system infrastructure needs, such as signage, kiosks, mapping, change rooms, bathrooms, bike wash stations, and camping accommodations.

  • The MTN will facilitate networking between organizations and agencies to create maintenance plans, accomplish restoration projects, establish inter-organization agreements, and build communication and collaboration between user groups in a formal setting.

Promote

  • The MTN will promote new and existing Hub Destinations and their connectivity within the Mountaineer Trail Network through marketing campaigns and direct user experiences.

  • The MTN will maintain an informational website with consistent updates to incorporate new Hubs into the Network.

  •  In the Future, the MTN will offer an optional, donation-based trail pass that will offer user access to regular newsletters, maintenance opportunities, special events, swag, and events that promote different trail systems in the network.

  • The MTN will facilitate collaboration for promotion with CVBs, Tourism, Outdoor Centric Businesses, and Economic Development Organizations.

  • The MTN will support and partner with events by consulting on event structure, offering administrative support, vendor attendance , advocating at state and regional levels, maintaining a regional conference presence, and promoting events.

Become a Funder

Administrative Operations

Help the Mountaineer Trail Network build out our administrative footprint. The MTN Board currently works through an executive committee and an executive director, but future planning operations look to include program and project coordinators as well as marketing and media specialists. If you are a state, federal, or private funder and would like to help support the MTN’s mission, click to schedule a call or donate today.

Projects

The MTN has begun the process of building out specific projects that support each of our initial 5 Hub Destinations. New and updated trail infrastructure and signage, economic development, trail maintenance support, and local and regional collaboration, all of these are ways the MTN is currently supporting our members across our 16 county region. If you are a state, federal, or private funder and would like to support the MTN as we move towards more projects that connect our region through trails, click to schedule a call or donate today.

Programs

The MTN is dedicated to building communities around both terrestrial and water based trails. As we move forward with our mission, the MTN will build and facilitate programs that drive social interaction, interpretive education, and empower local organizations and communities to get outside and get more involved in the trails they love. Some of these programs will include; weekly ride/paddle nights, kid’s days at the local trail system, NICA events, trail building, and maintenance work days. If you are a state, federal, or private funder and are interested in supporting the MTN in its launch and development of these programs, please click to schedule a call or donate today.

Get Involved Today!

Partner with us

State and Local Government

Does your community have a trail system that you would like to include in the Mountaineer Trail Network? The MTN is actively working with new and existing trail systems to be included in the network’s funding and promotional operations. If your county, town, or community has a trail system that you think should be involved, let us know!

Trail Organizations

Are you a local trail organization that is looking for increased access to trail signage, maintenance opportunities, or regional collaboration for your local trails? Become part of an established trail organization community as the MTN seeks to enhance, advocate, and promote our network of trails and the benefits of collaborative work across all trails in the state of West Virginia.

Economic Development Organization

Do you represent a local, state, federal, or non-profit economic development organization or are you a business owner that utilizes outdoor recreation and want to collaborate with the network? The MTN is looking to build and enhance economic development partnerships across our current regional footprint. Have an idea or want to make your business strategy or development dollars go further with a targeted project or program with the MTN? Schedule a call today.

Get Involved Today!

SCHEDULE A CALL

Partners

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