Don’t Overlook This Scenic Hidden Gem Trail in West Virginia Trail

Located at the confluence of the Ohio and Little Kanawha rivers, Parkersburg is one of my favorite cities in West Virginia. With a population that hovers around 30,000 residents, West Virginia’s fourth most populous city offers a little bit of everything. It’s especially appealing to history lovers (like me!). The Victorian-era homes in the Julia-Ann Square Historic District are some of the most well-preserved, beautiful homes I’ve ever seen. Of course, I’m always going to take a moment to find a nature trail wherever I am, and I was pleasantly surprised by this scenic trail in West Virginia. The views of downtown Parkersburg are fabulous!

While I love strolling around downtown, I need to balance it out with some natural scenery every so often. Fort Boreman Park is a great place for history and nature lovers. Named after West Virginia’s first governor, the park is the site of an old Civil War fort perched on a hilltop, overlooking Parkersburg and the valley below. Union troops built it to protect the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad link, a very critical railway at the time. 

The park has had quite the journey since the Civil War. It was a popular park around the 1940s, but soon became abandoned and overgrown. It saw a new life in 1997 when plans to restore the park were initiated, and by 2003, the Fort Boreman site was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Since its restoration, Fort Boreman Park has been a popular escape for locals wanting to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. 

There’s a short and sweet loop trail that will lead you around the park. It’s only 0.5 miles, but there are plenty of things to see along the way. 

While it’s not necessarily a difficult trail, there are some tree roots and steep sections that you should pay attention to. The trail is mostly dirt, but it has a boardwalk section at the beginning. This isn’t a stroller-friendly trail, but there are ADA-accessible paths that lead to some of the shelters, which are available to rent, the restrooms, and the playground.

Even though the trail is short, you’ll find yourself stopping to read about the park's history often. Informational signs have been placed around the trail to give you a background of the fort’s original purpose. 

The overlooks really sold it for me. From here, you can get a stunning view of downtown Parkersburg, and on a clear day, it’s simply the best! 

This scenic hiking trail in West Virginia makes an idyllic spot to watch the sunset over the river. I don’t know what it is, but waterfront sunsets are the best type of sunsets. 

Share this article with someone you want to explore this scenic trail in West Virginia with! While you’re exploring Parkersburg, you have to swing by The Root Beer Shack and try one of the famous old-fashioned root beers. Treat yourself and make it a root beer float!