Nature’s Playground

Enjoy all that nature has to offer by visiting North Bend State Park this summer.

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This story was originally published in the June 2024 issue of Wonderful West Virginia. To subscribe, visit wonderfulwv.com.

Written by Dawn Nolan

Photos Courtesy of Daniel Busch

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Tucked in the hills of  the Mid-Ohio Valley near the small towns of Cairo and Harrisville in Ritchie County, North Bend State Park is a scenic getaway known for its outdoor recreational activities, including access to the 72-mile North Bend Rail Trail. “We are not super commercialized,” says Kelsey Gilbert, park superintendent. “You’re coming here to be in the wilderness.”

North Bend is named for the 180-degree curve in the North Fork of the Hughes River that formed three sides of the original park boundary. In 1951, the West Virginia Legislature allotted funds to purchase land in the area. Three years later, the state bought 1,405 acres for the park, and development officially began.

“I like to emphasize that it was, essentially, several family farms come together,” says Gilbert. “Especially if you go out to Cokeley Campground, you can still see evidence of that, since it’s been less than 40 years since it was an active farm.”

Another piece of the past, the Superintendent’s Residence, was built in 1866 by Christopher Douglas. It is a white, Federal-style house that remains in use. Park visitors may also catch sight of some oil and gas wells—a reminder of the industry’s heyday in the area.

A Restful Space

The park lodge, which opened in 1966, is where the home of Union General Andrew S. Core once was. It now features 29 guest rooms, two meeting rooms, a gift shop with souvenirs, and a full-service restaurant that offers breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a popular Sunday buffet with West Virginia comfort food dishes.

Recently, the lodge experienced major renovations to both the interior and exterior of the facility —the largest update since its construction. These renovations were completed in the spring of 2022. “Basically, everything was gutted down to the studding,” describes Kristi Steed, lodge manager. “We kept the same floor plan and, much to the delight of the locals and our guests, the fireplace in the lobby. That was a big, big point for them.”

North Bend’s nine vacation cabins, originally built in the 1970s out of solid cedar, underwent significant upgrades, as well as the construction of two additional picnic shelters—making a grand total of four shelters.

Other accommodations available at North Bend include two seasonal campgrounds. River Run Campground has 49 sites, 26 of which have water hookups and 50 amp electric service. Designed more for RVs and campers with pull-outs, Cokeley Campground has 26 sites with electrical systems and water.

Hit the Trails

Hiking is one of the most popular activities at North Bend. The park has more than a dozen trails spanning 26 miles, with more in development. The North Bend Rail Access Trail is an easy 0.8-mile road bed that connects to the 72-mile North Bend Rail Trail. “There’s some sloping, but if someone had, say, an automated wheelchair, they’d be okay to go on that trail,” explains Gilbert. “It’s pretty fabulous in the spring. There’s a ton of Virginia Bluebells that grow along it.”

The entire rail-trail follows a rail-banked B&O Railroad corridor across north central and western West Virginia. It is part of the 5,500-mile American Discovery Trail and features 36 bridges and 10 tunnels, with a nearly flat grade.

A more challenging trek, the 1.2-mile-long, looping Overlook Trail has a picturesque view of the Hughes River Dam. “At that particular trail, there are also a lot of rock formations along the river, and we have a gentleman who offers guided rock climbing and rappelling during the busy season,” says lodge manager Steed.

The Giant Tree Trail, which passes through old-growth forest, boasts a large oak, beech and poplars, and a sycamore tree that was, at one time, the largest in the state. “It might not be a state record–holder anymore, but it’s ginormous,” describes Gilbert.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, North Bend launched its Trail Traveler Program. Hikers who participated were asked to take photos at designated selfie stations on specified trails, and then have their punch card checked at the front desk. After completing the list of trails, they received a prize. “We’re trying to revamp the Trail Traveler Program,” says Steed. “We started it during COVID just to get people outside and into the park, and it took off. It was phenomenal.”

Gilbert hinted that the park is also working on a storybook trail for kids, although this is still in the early stages. Other trails at North Bend include an equestrian trail and over 20 miles of single-track trail for mountain bikers of all skill levels. Bikes are available for rent through North Bend Outfitters. “There are tons of trail opportunities,” says Gilbert. “Mountain biking is huge in this whole area. Within the vicinity you have North Bend, of course, and then you could bypass the rail-trail and hit Mountwood Park in Waverly. That then goes into Marietta, Ohio, which goes out to the Wayne National Forest.”

The National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) and the state league, the West Virginia Interscholastic Cycling League (WVICL), hold youth races at the park regularly. “We actually constructed one of the trails, the Old Farm Trail, for the NICA,” says Gilbert.

More Natural Resources

Another of North Bend’s significant features is its 306-acre lake with a boat ramp, handicap-accessible fishing pier, and other access points for casting a line. Canoes and kayaks as well as paddle, Jon, and pontoon boats can be rented at the marina. “It’s more of a fishing lake base, nothing over 10 horsepower, but that’s really good for those wanting to fish or channel catch,” explains Gilbert. “We do have bass tournaments, and we’ve been working a lot with the Division of Natural Resources and hunting associations for youth fishing tournaments and other activities.” The Jughandle Recreation Area on the North Fork of the Hughes River is a good place to catch muskie, and downstream of the dam is stocked with trout a few months of the year.

From the waters to the skies, wildlife is abundant in North Bend. “In the stream we have a protected mussel population,” says Gilbert. “We have a really good ecological habitat in the river. We actually released six hellbenders last year. We also have five or six otters that roam around the park.”

North Bend is also quite popular for birding, boasting a large population of songbirds, such as the summer tanagers, cedar waxwings, indigo buntings, bluebirds, and warblers. “We’ve hosted conferences where all they did was bird watching,” says Steed. Gilbert adds that the redheaded woodpecker once drew many birdwatchers to the park due to its location along the birds’ migratory routes. While not as prevalent anymore, they can still occasionally be glimpsed.

Something for Everyone

“One of the unique things about North Bend is that there’s so many things for different age groups,” says Steed. “If you want to sit back and relax, you can, or if younger people want to get out and be active, they can do that, too.”

The park’s program director, Sarah Clark, offers daily activities at the Nature Center from Memorial through Labor Day. “Those could be anything from a craft to a Creek Critters program to a movie,” describes Steed. Other park activities and attractions include geocaching, an outdoor pool, and mini golf.

From quilter getaways to murder mystery dinners to nature hikes, North Bend also hosts a number of special events. “We try to have something going on all the time,” says Steed. “Each one has its own special niche.”

The longest-running events held at North Bend are the Bluegrass Festival, which celebrated its 30th anniversary last month; the International Sports Jamboree for the visually impaired and mobility-challenged; and the National Wild Foods Association’s Nature Wonder Weekend. The Nature Wonder Weekend has been held annually in September since 1968—in fact, one of the hiking trails, the Gibbons Nature Trail, is named after the late outdoorsman Euell Gibbons, who was a guest at those early events. June events include the Family Trails Weekend June 8–9 and a visit from Three Rivers Avian Center on June 15.

With its peaceful setting, family-friend atmosphere, and array of activities, North Bend State Park is an ideal destination for those looking to unwind from the daily grind and reconnect with nature and those around them. Steed says, “At the front desk, we like to say that you come as a guest and leave as family.”