Parks & Trails
Parks
Veterans Memorial Park
Clarksburg’s largest park is located along Route 98 near the intersection of Route 19 and sits in conjunction with the Louis A Johnson VA Medical Center. This 50-acre recreational park has much to offer residents and visitors to Clarksburg!
W. Virginia 98, Clarksburg, WV 26301
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Veterans Memorial Park offers the following features:
Splash Zone
Splash Zone is a 385,000-gallon water park that includes a lazy river, waterslides, a 25-meter competition pool and zero-entry children’s play area as well as bathhouses. This water park is great entertainment for kids and parents alike. There is simply no other facility in North Central West Virginia that compares to City Parks of Clarksburg Splash Zone. It will be the summer destination for swimming recreation!
Clarksburg Amphitheater
Named “The Best Outdoor Concert Venue in West Virginia” by TravelPulse.com and MSN.com, the Clarksburg Amphitheater is a state-of-the-art facility located at the Veterans Memorial Park. The “AMP” (as it has become known) showcases bands, movies, plays and other forms of entertainment throughout the year.
Since opening in 2009, the AMP has been the site of many great performances. Notable past performers include Florida Georgia Line, Toby Mac, Kansas, Thompson Square, Morgan Wallen, Dan + Shay, Gloriana, Jake Owen, MercyMe, Casting Crowns, Everclear, and many more!
“Movies in the Park” is a free film series that began at the AMP in 2010. This popular event takes place on select Friday evenings throughout the summer months. We roll out the BIG screen to show family friendly movies at dusk (weather permitting). We offer refreshments at our concession stand for movie-goers’ enjoyment and, best of all, admission is FREE!
Mayor’s Fitness Trail
The Mayor’s Fitness Trail is a 1.5 mile gravel trail that winds around the park. Whether you are taking a leisurely walk or a brisk jog, you will appreciate the scenic river views.
People’s Hospice Memorial Gardens
People’s Hospice Memorial Gardens is a beautifully landscaped part of Veterans Memorial Park with brick walkways, statues, private garden areas, wooden shelters, benches, trees and shrubbery. It was made possible by people who made contributions in honor of loved ones that have passed away as well as some generous corporate contributors. Memorial bricks, stones and plaques are placed throughout the gardens commemorating those loved ones. This is a relaxing environment to enjoy some solitude. The Memorial Gardens is also available for wedding ceremonies and an outstanding place for taking photographs.
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Additional Park Features:
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- Miniature Golf
- 9-hole Disc Golf Course
- Tennis and Pickleball Courts
- Walkng and Water Trails
- Shelters
- Picnic Areas
- Dog Park
Clarksburg City Park
Located on Route 20 in Nutter Fort, Clarksburg City Park is home to the Frank Loria Memorial Field, one of the best baseball facilities of its kind in West Virginia. It was named after Frank Loria, a Clarksburg native, who was killed in the fatal crash of an airliner carrying the Marshall University football team in 1970. Loria was a coach for the team.
This city park also houses an 18 hole miniature golf course, a softball field and three little league fields, a soccer field and several multi-purpose fields. It also has large play areas with multiple swings and slides, picnic shelters with grills, tennis courts, lighted basketball courts and volleyball courts.
The new “Brother of Hope” playground was named in memory of two children who died in a car accident in the area. All equipment was donated.
1 Clarksburg Park Way, Nutter Fort, WV 26301
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Watters Smith Memorial State Park
This 532-acre historical park stands as a memorial to the pioneer spirit of Watters Smith, who settled here in 1796. This historical park, located in Harrison County, features log cabins, period-accurate buildings and a museum that depicts pioneer life from 1796 to the early 1900s. The grounds are open to picnicking, biking, hiking, and the park also is a popular site for bird watching. The museum and Smith Home are open on select days between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Group tours are also welcome.
The park offers an activity building that can accommodate up to 60 people and can be reserved, plus recreational courts for volleyball and horseshoes are available for use. In addition, the area has a gift shop and hiking and biking trails.
The Watters Smith Memorial State Park may be reached by taking Exit 110 off interstate 79 (Lost Creek Exit) and following the directional signs to West Milford, and then left on Duck Creek Road (approximately 7 miles). Visitors traveling on U.S. Route 19 should turn off at West Milford and follow the signs three miles to the park.
For More Information, please visit: www.watterssmithstatepark.com or call (304) 745-3081
831 RR 3, Duck Creek Rd., Lost Creek, WV 26385
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Harrison County Recreation Complex
Harrison County Parks and Recreation offers a variety of services throughout the year. We have many programs offered on a seasonal basis including enrichment programming, after-school programs, summer playgrounds, instructional programs, youth sports leagues, special population sports, and family events.
Throughout the year, Harrison County Recreation Complex offers enrichment programs to area schools and organizations as an educational resource at no cost. Programing has included, but is not limited to, Christmas Around the World, Home Spun Appalachia, Medieval Times, Outdoor Adventures, Space & Science Encounters and our most popular Walking With Dinosaurs. Each enrichment has scheduled family days, so children can invite their family and friends to share their experiences.
The grounds feature a unique play trail geared to young families including a new ADA-approved playground facility and a Dinosaur themed play space. Don’t miss the historical nature trail leading to the Poor Farm Cemetery. Additionally, an onsite 9-hole disc golf course is free to play and a great way to get some outdoor exercise.
43 Recreation Dr., Clarksburg, WV 26301
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Lowndes Hill Park
This is a 58-acre park that overlooks the city of Clarksburg. Located off 2nd Street, just up-the-hill from Main Street Clarksburg, this park features Civil War history with trenches and earthworks that were constructed by the Union army to defend the city and its important railway.
This park is great for walking and getting a magnificent view of the city while learning a little more about the Civil War.
1 Lowndes Hill, Clarksburg, WV 26301
Fort New Salem
Fort New Salem is a living history, outdoor museum interpreting the history, trades and lifestyles of the region. The settlement is surrounded by tree covered hills and takes its visitors into another lifetime when work and leisure activities reflected the values and traditions of the community and the Appalachian culture of her people.
The village of over 18 relocated log structures was created as an extension of the Salem International University campus. Since December 2005, Fort New Salem has been under the private ownership of the Fort New Salem Foundation, Inc. It is a living history outdoor museum interpreting the history, crafts and lifestyles of the area. The settlement is surrounded by tree-covered hills and takes its visitors into another lifetime when work and leisure activities reflected the values and traditions of the community and the Appalachian culture of her people.
81 settlers Lane, Salem, WV 26426
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Tygart Lake State Park
Located in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains in scenic north-central West Virginia, Tygart Lake State Park provides guests with a quiet vacation spot and breathtaking views. Just four miles south of Grafton, Tygart Lake State Park is known for its 10-mile long, 1,750-acre lake, which offers water activities like boating, water skiing, scuba diving, swimming, kayaking, canoeing and fishing. Tygart Lake State Park is located 24 miles east of Clarksburg.
1240 Paul E Malone Rd, Grafton, WV 26354
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Stonewall Resort State Park
Located just three miles off I-79, Stonewall Resort State Park offers a secluded retreat surrounded by rolling hills. The park features golf, boating, swimming, indoor rock climbing, biking, camping, fishing, and hiking. Stonewall Resort State Park is located 36 miles south of Clarksburg.
940 Resort Dr, Roanoke, WV 26447
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Prickett’s Fort State Park
Prickett’s Fort State Park, located 26 miles north of Clarksburg in Marion County, features a reconstruction of the original Prickett’s Fort, which served as a place of refuge during colonial times. This historical park commemorates late 18th-century life on the Virginia frontier.
88 State Park Road, Fairmont, WV 26554
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Valley Falls State Park
Once the site of a lumber and grist mill community, Valley Falls State Park is a place of scenic beauty and historical significance. A series of four picturesque falls created by the dark, rushing waters of the Tygart Valley River distinguish this 1,145-acre park. In addition to its scenic charm, Valley Falls State Park offers miles of hiking and biking trails and fishing. The day-use park gates open at 7 a.m. and close at dark. Valley Falls State Park is located 32 miles north of Clarksburg.
720 Valley Falls Rd, Fairmont, WV 26554
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Coopers Rock State Forest
Established in 1936, Coopers Rock State Forest boasts some of the most iconic views in Almost Heaven. Located just off I-68, about 48 miles north of Clarksburg, the park features canyon overlooks, historical sites, picnic shelters, 50 miles of hiking and biking trails, sandstone cliffs for climbing and bouldering, cross-country ski terrain, a lake perfect for reeling in trout and a nearby river for rafting.
61 County Line Dr., Bruceton Mills, WV 26525
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Trails
Harrison North Rail Trail
The Harrison North Rail Trail follows the West Fork River from North View in Clarksburg north, ending at a dead-end just south of the communities of Spelter and Meadowbrook. Recently repaired, the trail offers a scenic, albeit rough, route through dense woodlands with periodic water views.
N. 25th St., Clarksburg, WV 26301
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Harrison South Rail Trail
When complete, the Harrison South Rail Trail will extend south from Veterans Memorial Park and the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg to the rural community of Lost Creek. The trail has a rougher surface more suited to mountain bikes than road bikes, but a planned upgrade should soon remediate some drainage issues and add improved signage and lighting. The trail will ultimately be extended north into Clarksburg via a restored railroad tunnel near the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center. (Note that much of this section between Mount Clare and Clarksburg is technically open but unimproved and only passable with hiking boots.)
Someday it is hoped that Clarksburg will be a destination hub of rail-trails, where the Harrison South Rail Trail, North Bend Rail Trail and West Fork River Trail (via the Harrison North Rail Trail) all meet, replicating the traffic brought by the railroads in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
N. 25th St., Clarksburg, WV 26301
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