Preserving Our Trails. Improving Our Experience. Creating New Adventures.West Virginia State Parks Foundation
West Virginia’s trails are among the most valued and widely used resources within our state parks, forests, and rail areas. They provide opportunities for outdoor recreation, exercise, exploration, education, and connection with the natural beauty that makes West Virginia special. According to the WV State Parks marketing study completed a few years ago, trails provide the number one gateway activity for people on parks.
The West Virginia State Parks Foundation is launching a new fundraising initiative dedicated to the maintenance, renovation, and improvement of trail systems throughout West Virginia State Parks, Forests, and Rail Trails.
Our trails require ongoing attention and investment. Weather, erosion, heavy use, aging infrastructure, and changing recreational needs all create challenges that must be addressed to ensure these resources remain safe, accessible, and enjoyable for generations to come.
Through this campaign, the Foundation hopes to provide financial support for projects that preserve existing trails, restore deteriorating sections, improve trail infrastructure, and introduce innovative features that enhance the visitor experience.
Funding may support projects such as:
- Trail Maintenance: Clearing, grading, drainage improvements, erosion control, vegetation management, and routine trail upkeep.
- Trail Renovation: Rebuilding deteriorated trail sections, improving surfaces, stabilizing slopes, repairing bridges, and replacing aging infrastructure.
- Trail Accessibility: Improving access and providing opportunities for visitors of varying ages and abilities to enjoy outdoor recreation.
- Trail Innovation: Developing new trail experiences, interpretive features, educational opportunities, signage, technology, and innovative recreational amenities.
- Safety Improvements: Improving trail markings, wayfinding, crossings, overlooks, railings, and other safety-related infrastructure.
- New Trail Opportunities: Supporting the development of new trails and connections that expand recreational opportunities and enhance the overall park experience.
The Foundation recognizes that every trail has a story and serves a purpose. Some provide a quiet walk through the woods, others lead to breathtaking overlooks, connect communities, provide access to historic places, or offer miles of adventure for hikers, cyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Our goal is to work in partnership with local park foundations and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources to identify meaningful projects and direct private donations toward improvements that make a lasting difference.
Every dollar invested in our trails helps protect an important part of West Virginia’s outdoor heritage.
With the support of individuals, businesses, organizations, and outdoor recreation enthusiasts, we can preserve what we have, improve what needs attention, and create new opportunities for people to experience the outdoors.
Help us keep West Virginia’s trails open, safe, beautiful, and ready for the next adventure.
Love WV State Parks!
Support Our Trails! We Have Done a Lot of Work—But There is More Work to Do.
Below is a gallery of images so you can see some completed work, as well as some examples of the ongoing trail maintenance needs we have.
Thank you for helping us love WV State Parks!
Every donation made helps to improve the quality and excellence of our West Virginia State Parks.
Funded Projects
WVSPF has assisted in 50+ projects around our state. Learn more about what we have been able to accomplish together.