The Morgantown area has great trails for most riding styles and skill levels. We’ve pulled together a list of the local trail systems, with the key details you’ll need to get out and enjoy a ride!
White Park
Landowner/Trail Manager: BOPARC
Miles of Trail: 9
Difficulty: Beginner, Intermediate
Riding Styles: Cross Country, Trail
Trail Types: Natural Single Track, Tech, Jump
Description: White Park is an urban network of trails located right in downtown Morgantown. MAMBA members regular combine these trails with Rail Trail or in town miles. White Park features dozens of short trails that can be pieced together to form longer rides. A gravel path winding through the whole trail system provides some beginner friendly miles while mixing in some single track. More advanced riders can also easily rack up a dozen fast techy miles.
Years of bike traffic have exposed plenty of rocks and roots making for a lot of fun techy-flow, but beginner riders should be mindful that certain sections of trail may be more challenging.
Links: https://www.trailforks.com/region/white-park-16565/
Access: There are a handful of parking spots off Mississippi Street or you can park in the Ice Rink lot just down the road across from the ball fields.
522-594 Mississippi St, Morgantown, WV 26501
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UynrSwpF6gLRJfJB9
Baker’s Ridge/WVU Farm Woodlot
Landowner/Trail Manager: West Virginia University
Miles of Trail: 7
Difficulty: Intermediate, Advanced
Riding Styles: Trail, Enduro
Trail Types: Natural Single Track, Tech, Jumps
Route Types: Loop
Description: Bakers Ridge is one of our favorite in-town riding spots. Officially named the WVU Farm Woodlot, “Bakers” is a forested tract of land which hosts a network of interconnected trails much-loved by locals. The trails are best enjoyed by riding up the access road from the parking lot at West Run. Climbing to the ridge is the price of entry at Baker’s, but it’s not too steep, and there’s a lot to explore around the ridgetop, before selecting one of the trails back down for a fun romp to the parking lot. Bakers is a great place to progress your riding if you’ve gotten comfortable at West Run Woods or Westover. Its many alternative lines and some steeper technical trails also make it a blast for intermediate and advanced riders.
At the top, you’ll find plenty of flat twisty trails, but you can also find steeper shoots, drops, and even a jump line. This property is regularly used by hikers and also serves as a research forest for WVU, so please be mindful of its multiple uses and share the trails.
Links: https://www.trailforks.com/region/bakers-ridge-trails–wvu-woodlot/
Access: Two gravel lots along West Run Road provide access to Bakers. The road is heavily trafficked with some blind turns and knolls, so be alert when crossing to enter the trails.
682 W Run Rd, Morgantown, WV 26508
https://maps.app.goo.gl/6oFkW7a3mpPb9Jjp7
West Run Woods
Landowner/Trail Manager: West Virginia University
Miles of Trail: 4
Difficulty: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Riding Styles: Cross Country, Gravity
Trail Types: Machine Built, Flow, Jump
Route Types: Loop
Description: West Run Woods is the area’s newest trail system and features fast, flowy machine built trails. Here you’ll find a great beginner loop, downhill flow trails, progressive jump trails, and a 2 mile long XC loop. Located on the hillside opposite Bakers Ridge, it’s easy to connect both trail systems into a larger ride that mixes machine built flow with old school hand-built single track.
Many of the trails are MTB only, but others are multi-use. New trails and features are constantly being added, so keep an eye out for trail construction and closures.
Links: https://www.trailforks.com/region/west-run-woods-53638/ https://trails.wvu.edu/trails/west-run-woods
Access: The trail system parking lot is located at:
1199 Research Park Rd, Morgantown, WV 26505
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7DoNoriJRHcx5SAP8
Westover Park Loop
Landowner/Trail Manager: City of Westover
Miles of Trail: 2
Difficulty: Beginner
Riding Styles: Cross Country
Trail Types: Machine Built FlowDescription: The Westover Park Loop is MAMBA’s go-to recommendation for anyone that is wanting to give mountain biking a try. It is a nearly 2 mile loop trail located close to downtown Morgantown. The loop is beginner friendly but can also be a blast for any rider looking to get in some fast, flowy miles with moderate elevation.
Links: https://www.trailforks.com/region/westover-city-park-36663/
Parking Access: 520 DuPont Road, Westover, WV 26501
https://maps.app.goo.gl/cxKNCas1LMunk9VB6
Coopers Rock State Forest
Landowner/Trail Manager: Coopers Rock State Forest, WV State Parks
Miles of Trail: 15
Difficulty: Intermediate, Advanced
Riding Styles: Cross Country, Trail, Enduro
Trail Types: Natural Single Track, Tech,
Route Types: Loop, Out and Back, Shuttle
Description: Coopers Rock is one of MAMBA’s most frequented riding spots. Just 15 minutes outside of downtown, “Coops” features some of the best riding close to town. If you’re looking to progress from Bakers, or you’re an advanced rider looking for some fast technical downhills, this is the place to go. Stay up top for some fun, rocky trails; drop down to the old Henry Clay Furnace and climb back out; or set a shuttle and bomb all the way down to Cheat Lake. Regardless of the route you plan, be sure to swing by the Overlook for one of the best views in the State.
Coopers is also home to the Henry Clay race each year. This XC race is part of the WVMBA race series and is definitely worth checking out if XC racing is your thing.
Links: https://www.trailforks.com/region/coopers-rock-state-forest/
https://wvstateparks.com/park/coopers-rock-state-forest/
https://www.visitmountaineercountry.com/coopers-rock-visitors-guide/
Access: There are plenty of parking locations throughout the park. Most riders will park at the first lot on the right just after the entrance to start their rides, but you can always find a spot further into the park or by the Overlook.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/veNkNVcsDKCcSErx6
Mason-Dixon Historical Park
Landowner/Trail Manager: Monongalia County Parks and Recreation
Miles of Trail: 7
Difficulty: Beginner, Intermediate
Riding Styles: Cross Country
Trail Types: Natural, Single Track, Hand-built and Machine Built
Route Types: Loop, Out and Back
Description: Located on the Western end of the County, this park is a hidden gem of mountain bike-friendly trails with great views, art installations and historical markers. Stay on the lower trails along the creek or climb up to the top and enjoy some fun loops.
Links: https://cms2.revize.com/revize/monongaliawv/Parks/Mason%20Dixon/MDTrailmap2021.pdf
https://www.monongaliacounty.gov/departments/parks_and_recreation/mason_dixon_historical_park/park_map.php
Access: Plenty of parking is available in several large lots at the front of the park.
79 Buckeye Road, Core, WV
Big Bear Lake Trail Center
Landowner/Trail Manager: Big Bear Lake Camplands & Trail Center
Miles of Trail: 50
Difficulty: Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Riding Styles: XC, Trail, Enduro
Trail Types: Natural Single Track, Tech, Roots Rocks Raggae
Route Types: Loop, Shuttle
Description: 35 minutes east of Morgantown lies some of the best and most unique single track around. Marvel at the rock formations impressively integrated into the trails, test your skill and balance in a rock garden, churn out miles on the Race Loop, or charge down one of the downhill trails.
Grab a day pass for $10 if you want to check it out, but MAMBA recommends picking up a season pass for $30 ($20 for MAMBA members) because just one trip a year isn’t nearly enough. Trails are open January 1st through October 31st. Big Bear also hosts Bike Bash WV, a family friendly MTB Festival with camping, group rides, skills clinics, vendors, bike demos, and music. It’s a must do event.
Links: https://www.trailforks.com/region/big-bear-lake-trail-center/
https://bikebigbearwv.com/
https://youtu.be/4uxaD77d7ls?si=BMh7mSqKpdPksxTu
Access: Most riders will park in the first lot on the right just after the guard station. You can also head straight out the main road to several parking spots before you reach a dead end/gate.
450 Big Bear Lake Rd, Bruceton Mills, WV 26525
https://maps.app.goo.gl/uiVBr1L2SiLCaKmx5
Quebec Run Wild Area
Landowner/Trail Manager: Forbes State Forest, Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry
Miles of Trail: 20
Difficulty: Intermediate, Advanced
Riding Styles: Trail, Enduro
Trail Types: Natural Single Track, Tech
Route Types: Loop
Description: Quebec Run has some of the best enduro trails around and a fire road that makes doing laps a breeze. It’s about 35 minutes north of town just across the PA border. Rocky, technical, and fast downhill trails are the name of the game at Quebec Run, but it’s hard to beat the trails that meander along the stream at the bottom. Sample as many trails as you can or use the fire road to lap your favorite one!
Hikers and campers are common on the trails, so keep your eyes peeled.
Links: https://www.trailforks.com/region/quebec-run-wild-area-31623/
Access: There are several trailheads throughout Quebec Run, but we recommend the Hess Trailhead parking since it puts you near the best trails and at the top of the fire road climb.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/FHkJbxDyAFXafPr67
Valley Falls State Park
Landowner/Trail Manager: Valley Falls State Park, WV State Parks
Miles of Trail: 18
Difficulty: Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Riding Styles: Trail, Enduro
Trail Types: Natural Single Track, Tech, Jump
Route Types: Loop, Shuttle
Description: Valley Falls is another awesome spot for enduro and trail riding and is located 40 minutes south of Morgantown in Fairmont. There are some great technical intermediate trails that you can connect along with an easy road climb. However, many riders choose to run shuttles and hit the advanced and expert trails that feature steep shoots, large drops, and rock gardens.
Valley Falls hosts a stop on the WV Enduro Series, so be on the lookout for that schedule each year!
Links: https://www.trailforks.com/region/valley-falls-state-park/ https://wvstateparks.com/park/valley-falls-state-park/
Access: The main parking lot by the falls can act as a good home base for your ride, or you can park at the top near the Ranger Station.
720 Valley Falls Rd, Fairmont, WV 26554
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KAGM4DPdPwqruXr48
Mon River Rail-Trail System
Landowner/Trail Manager: Mon River Trails Conservancy
Miles of Trail: 50
Difficulty: Beginner
Riding Styles: Rail-Trail, Cross Country, gravel
Trail Types: Rail Trail
Route Types: Out and Back
Description: Looking for some relaxed miles, zone 2 training, or to just stretch your legs when trail conditions aren’t ideal? The Mon River-Rail Trail system is a great option. It can take you north to Point Marion, south to Fairmont, or east all the way to Reedsville. Any direction is easily accessible from town and a geat option, but MAMBA is partial to the Deckers Creek trail that heads east. It has a nice slight uphill gradient from town with beautiful scenery and views of the stream for which it is named.
Links: https://www.trailforks.com/region/valley-falls-state-park/ https://montrails.org/rail-trail-maps/
Access: There are dozens of parking spots along the Rail-Trail, but the parking near Hazel Ruby McQuain Amphitheater is where all 3 trails converge and is a great place to start your ride.
185 Garrett St, Morgantown, WV 26501
https://maps.app.goo.gl/QstYg9GW1xnYnPpV6
Some other MAMBA Favorites:
Snowshoe Bike Park in Snowshoe, WV
Ohiopyle MTB Trails in Ohiopyle, PA
Deep Creek State Park and Herrington Manor in Deep Creek, MD
Arrowhead Bike Farm, in Fayetteville, WV
Wolf Creek Trails in Fayetteville, WV
Tower Hill Trail Center in Washington, PA
Canaan Valley & Davis, WV
Frick Park in Pittsburgh, PA
Online Trail Resources
MTB Project – Morgantown MTB Trails
WVU DIY Outdoors
Singletracks – Morgantown
Alltrails – Morgantown MTB Trails
Trailforks – Morgantown MTB Trails
mambawv.org 