The Tiny Town In West Virginia That’ll Take You A Million Miles Away From Everywhere
Can we all just admit that we may be a little bit spoiled by the untouched natural beauty found in the Mountain State? For a state whose main source of income has shifted over the years to tourism, we do a fantastic job of maintaining the gorgeous status quo so that we can enjoy (and share) the peace and serenity found in Almost Heaven, West Virginia. Go, us!
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life as we all practice social and physical distancing. While we’re continuing to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, we don’t expect or encourage you to go check them out immediately. We believe that supporting local attractions is important now more than ever and we hope our articles inspire your future adventures! And on that note, please nominate your favorite local business that could use some love right now: https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nominate/
One such peaceful and unspoiled tiny little town that flies under the radar is located in Ritchie County among the gently rolling hills of the Mid-Ohio Valley. The town sits along the North Fork of the Hughes River and is so lush, it was incorporated as Cairo — after the city in Egypt along the Nile River.
Cairo was settled long before it was incorporated in 1895 and was originally called "Egypt." It was renamed after the B&O Railroad station was built in the 1850s. The sleepy community has fewer than 300 residents, but was once a booming oil town.
A quick ride through town doles out a glimpse of the former Bank of Cairo (the brick building pictured above), which juts up on the landscape like a lone spike hammered into the ground. The bank was built in 1897 by the son of a wealthy banker in Egypt. Today, the building houses the Cairo Town Hall and is a stop along the 72-mile North Bend Rail Trail.
Speaking of North Bend, the much loved state park is located in Cairo. The 2,500-acre park provides an ideal nature break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It features hiking, biking, boating, fishing, swimming, and more.
The historic rail trail extends for 72 miles and features an astounding 10 old railroad tunnels and 38 bridges. Whether you hike or bike the entire trail or just a segment, either the Town of Cairo or North Bend State Park are great places to start.
North Bend State Park is an ideal place to extend your day trip to Cairo to an overnight or longer. In addition to a restaurant, the park features a lodge, cabins, and two campgrounds. Which one will you reserve for your quiet escape that feels a million miles from everywhere?
Ready to check out the beautiful little town of Cairo and North Bend State Park? As a mere point of reference, Cairo is located 25 miles east of Parkersburg, 98 miles north of Charleston, 92 miles south of Morgantown, and 240 miles west of Martinsburg.
To learn more about the fabulous North Bend Rail Trail that runs right past Cairo Town Hall, keep reading here!
Robin Jarvis is a travel and entertainment writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She spent more than two decades living on the coast in South Carolina and currently lives in the mountains of North Carolina - although she still makes it back to see family in South Carolina quite often. When she's not working, she loves to hike, kayak, and check out new adventures. Get in touch at [email protected]
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