Wood County

Wood County is the Western Terminus of the trail and features some of its most remote and scenic settings. The trail, heading in a southerly direction from Happy Valley (near 
I-77 and West Virginia University at Parkersburg), follows the course of the Little Kanawha River through the small communities of Nicolette, Davisville and Kanawha. At Walker's Creek, the trail heads eastward about five miles to Walker and the Eaton Tunnel area. The trail is in the best condition ever in this remote and roadless area that offers beautiful views, and two outstanding tunnels.

Proceeding eastward you will go through the 1840-foot Eaton Tunnel (No.21). The Wood County line is approximately one mile further at Laurel Fork. Crossed by a subterranean bridge, this is also the site of the now extinct community and depot of Volcano Junction. This is where the Laurel Fork and Sand Hill Railroad met the mainline of the B&O, transporting oil from the boom-town of Volcano (near modern day Mountwood Park). Plans are in the works to connect parts of this old line with a family accessible trail that would route south from Mountwood.

In historic terms, Wood County was the last stop before the new frontier. Parkersburg served as an oil finance and refining center, and Nicolette was the site of the massive
Croft Lumber Mill that worked day and night processing the great natural bounty of 19th Century West Virginia. Although there are a few remnants of these industries, Bob's Bicycle Shop is a new beginning for recreational based businesses along this section of the trail. 

Today, the historic river city of Parkersburg offers a plethora of diverse cultural, historical and entertainment interests. Located in the city's downtown district, visitors will find several points of interest, such as the Oil & Gas Museum, an amazing collection and monument to early pioneering industries, which are closely  linked to the history of the railroad and the trail. Additional points of interest include the Wood County Courthouse, the fully restored Vaudeville-style Smoot Theatre and Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park. (The park is accessible via sternwheeler May through October from Point Park.) Located just a few miles north, some of the regions best dining and shopping opportunities may be found near the Grand Central Mall, Holl's Swiss Chocolatier and The Fenton Gift Shop.

Currently, an initiative to link the Ohio River and downtown Parkersburg to North Bend, is underway with the Little Kanawha Connector Trail (304-422-BIKE). It is anticipated that highway modification projects will allow this endeavor to fully realize it's goals.

• Little Kanawha River
• Stillwell Creek, Multi-Arched Bridge
• Eaton Tunnel (No. 21) and Tunnel No. 22 (abandoned)
• Parkersburg/Wood County CVB
  
  
  

Stillwell Creek bridge.

Walker segment of the trail.

The Oil & Gas Museum in downtown Parkersburg displays a unique mural depicting the history of the oil and 
gas industry, as well as relics of 
an era gone by.