Currently, 48 miles of the Mon River / Caperton / Deckers Creek Rail-Trails are open for non-motorized use, primarily walking, cycling, jogging, and cross-country skiing with a smooth, durable surface for wheel-chair use and all types of bicycles. In Morgantown and Star City, eight miles of trail are paved, allowing for in-line skating. The rail-trail connects three counties, Marion, Monongalia, and Preston Counties in North Central West Virginia.
The Rails-Trails are fun in all seasons. We do not plow the rail-trail in the winter but it still gets lots of use.
The Caperton Trail has an urban feel with neighboring city parks, restaurants, and shops. The relatively flat Mon River Trail meanders along the wooded river valley with occasional bottomland and field habitats. The Deckers Creek Trail is more of a challenge as it climbs at approximately a 2% grade 1,000 feet over 19 miles with rhododendron and hemlock groves, deciduous forests, into more open fields and farmlands in Preston County.
HELPFUL TIPS FOR TRAIL USERS- from the Rails to Trails Conservancy and League of American Bicyclists
Be Alert! Five Tips for a Better Trail Mindset
The Most Universal Trail Tip: Standing Still? Stand Aside.
We’re in This Together. Use Safe Speeds on the Trail.
Overcoming Bike Commuting Concerns
https://www.bikeleague.org/sites/default/files/overcoming_commuting_concerns.pdf
https://bikeleague.org/content/commuting
ACTIVE LOCAL GROUPS THAT YOU MAY WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT
Country Road Cyclists- promote the fun of bicycling through group rides, cycling advocacy, new-cyclist encouragement, social events, and the dissemination of safety and skills information. https://www.crcyclists.org
Positive Spin- Bicycle Recycling Program- a place to donate a bike or bring home a bike
https://positivespin.org
Morgantown Bike Board- making Morgantown more Bike Friendly
https://bikemorgantown.com
Morgantown Pedestrian Safety Board- making Morgantown more Pedestrian Friendly
https://www.morgantownwv.gov/government/advisory-boards/pedestrian-safety-board/
Morgantown RoadRunners- Local Running Club
httpss://www.facebook.com/MorgantownRoadRunnersWvTrackClub/
Girls on the Run of North Central West Virginia
https://www.gotrncwv.org
Hike it Baby Morgantown WV- a meet up group for families with young children
httpss://www.facebook.com/groups/hikeitbabymorgantownWV/
Morgantown Area Paddlers- Meet-up group for kayak and canoe paddle trips. A great way to explore Upper Mon Water Trail and other local rivers
httpss://www.facebook.com/Morgantown-Area-Paddlers-755677667911876/
Mountaineer Audubon- a great way to bird with others
http://mountaineeraudubon.org
Friends of Deckers Creek- Deckers Creek Watershed Group-
https://deckerscreek.org