Caperton Trail
Caperton Trail
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
20 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
5
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
0
kristaPGHPA
Pennsylvania408 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
We biked, on hybrids, from Ruby McQuain parking lot south to mile 16-17. We found the trail level, mostly wooded and scenic. We were out on Saturday between about 11-1 and it was not crowded. For about 2 miles, it’s paved. After the pavement ends, it turns to level, well groomed, crushed limestone. The trail runs parallel to the Monongahela River.
Written 9 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael R
Granville, OH524 contributions
Jun 2021
While visiting Morgantown recently my family and I were able to make extensive use of the system of rail-trails in the area, including the Deckers Creek trail, the Monongahela River trail, and the Caperton trail, which all converge downtown. They are wide, generally flat, and paved, at least within a few miles of town. (The Deckers Creek trail becomes gravel surfaced 3 miles out.) Mostly scenic. A great way to get around. Possibly the best feature of Morgantown.
Written 6 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sdanish2018
Star City, WV1 contribution
Mar 2018 • Solo
I am disabled with bad legs that were damaged during my 40 years of working in he Morgantown area....I cant walk more than 150 ft.....I cant pedal a bicycle anymore....But I had a wonderful day on the trail last week. My little electric Swag cycle made it possible. I rode from Star city to Morgantown and back...The trail was very clean..and nutural....I witnessed a Barn Owl with 5 foot wingspan and also squirrles and Canadain geese swimming in the Mon River......There were 10 other individuals walking and 3 bicyclists....Very enjoyable day for sure....I dont get out to do many activities and found the trail ride a great way to relax. I would like to see the trail black topped even further on both ends and along the deckers creek route !!!
Written 30 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lynda .
Pennsylvania143 contributions
Jul 2017 • Couples
Husband and I traveled over an hour to get to this trail. First the trail is poorly marked and we had to try a couple roads to find the place. Next by chance we found a parking place that we didn't have to pay for. The trail follows the PRT (Personal Rapid Transit) system which hauls thousands of WVU students to classes (actually myself and my husband) rode them many times while working/attending WVU. To me that was about the highlight of the walk. Even though no rail cars were running this day. We took the path for about 3-4 miles toward the Coliseum. About half the time was in the sun,(a very hot day). But ok, we took water and snack bars. Back to the story...we did see a few of the wildlife, birds, a deer, rabbit. The trail was buffered on the one side by high weeds/trees and the other side hiding the Mon River. We were disappointed that we could not see more of the town or more of the river. We won't be doing that run again. We thought there would be some additional stops, restrooms, water fountains, snack shops, or at least restaurants here and there. At no time was there any views of Morgantown, it was pretty secluded. There were people, walking, riding bikes, running, not a lot, but some.
Written 12 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim M
Pittsburgh, PA172 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
The Caperton Trail is a 5 mile paved rail-trail that runs along the Mon River in Morgantown. It is very wide and is great for walking, running or cycling. The trail dissect the Core Arboretum, which is a quiet nature area. If you're in downtown Morgantown, the best access to the trail would be at Hazel Ruby McQuain Riverfront Park. However, if you don't want to fight the traffic (and there's a bunch of traffic if school is in), there is a very nice trailhead in Star City at Edith Barill Riverfront Park.
To the north, the trail attaches to Mon River Trail North. This is a limestone rail-trail that runs 6 miles to the Pennsylvania border. If you're adventurous, you can continue on to Point Marionon the Sheepskin Trail. However, the Sheepskin Trail is currently just a narrow cinder path.
To the south, the trail attaches to Mon River Trail South. This is a limestone rail-trail that runs an additional 17 miles south to Prickett's Fort. From there you can travel on the MC Trail (2.5 miles paved) into Fairmont. There are no facilities on this trail until you get to Prickett's Fort, just so you know.
My wife and I have bicycled these trails and found it worth the effort.
If you're really energetic, you can pick up the Decker's Creek Trail off the Caperton Trail at Hazel Rub McQuain Riverfront Park. This is a limestone rail-trail adds an additional 19 miles to the system. The majority of this trail is up hill at a 2% grade going out, so it's going to be some work to get to the end of this section. However, if you're on a bicycle, the ride coming back will be exhilarating. We haven't bicycled this trail because we just ran out of time.
To the north, the trail attaches to Mon River Trail North. This is a limestone rail-trail that runs 6 miles to the Pennsylvania border. If you're adventurous, you can continue on to Point Marionon the Sheepskin Trail. However, the Sheepskin Trail is currently just a narrow cinder path.
To the south, the trail attaches to Mon River Trail South. This is a limestone rail-trail that runs an additional 17 miles south to Prickett's Fort. From there you can travel on the MC Trail (2.5 miles paved) into Fairmont. There are no facilities on this trail until you get to Prickett's Fort, just so you know.
My wife and I have bicycled these trails and found it worth the effort.
If you're really energetic, you can pick up the Decker's Creek Trail off the Caperton Trail at Hazel Rub McQuain Riverfront Park. This is a limestone rail-trail adds an additional 19 miles to the system. The majority of this trail is up hill at a 2% grade going out, so it's going to be some work to get to the end of this section. However, if you're on a bicycle, the ride coming back will be exhilarating. We haven't bicycled this trail because we just ran out of time.
Written 25 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jason
Iowa City, IA122 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
The Caperton Trail apparently refers to the paved section of what's more broadly known as the Mon River Trail along the river in Morgantown. As other reviewers have stated, the trail proceeds north into Pennsylvania, southeast into the WV hills, and east along Decker's Creek. I just rode two 10 mile out-and-back sections of this trail system this morning. First I rode the Decker's Creek trail which normally totals 19 miles one way but was closed at mile 10 for repairs. The paved section of the trail heading out of Morgantown gives way to finely crushed limestone around mile 4. The grade heading east is a slight incline that will make bikers who ride infrequently sweat but there are no true hills. The terrain is heavily wooded and the creek provides beautiful scenery below the trail. After coming west back into Morgantown I rode the Caperton Trail north and connected to what is technically the Mon River Trail north. Once again the paved section of the trail turns into the same fine limestone about 4 miles north of town. The grade heading north barely qualifies as an incline at all--it rides as a more or less flat surface and extends 9 miles through the woods with the Mon river to the west of the trail. It's a 9 mile ride to the PA state line (unmarked) and then 1 more mile to Point Marion, the first town inside PA. The last mile of trail before Point Marion was more broken up today than the limestone portions further south and east--there were medium sized river rocks and a few puddles due to recent rain. I was riding a rented hybrid road bike with 32 cm wide tires and had no problems avoiding trouble and navigating that section. Overall it was a very pleasant 4 hours of riding on the Caperton/Decker's Creek/Mon River north rails to trails system this morning. So if you find yourself visiting Morgantown and you don't have your mountain bike with you, stop by Wamsley Cycle and rent yourself a hybrid road bike in order to enjoy the local rails to trails system. You won't regret it!
Written 1 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
X-NYr
Arlington, VA1,412 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
Part of the Mon Trail bike path is easily accessible in downtown Morgantown just off University Avenue. This segment is a 3 mile paved trail along the Monongahela River, which includes the Caperton and Decker trails. It extends for 19 miles overall and is perfect for walking, biking, running, etc. The Hazel Ruby Mcquaid riverfront part, just off University Ave., is an easy place to park and enjoy the trail in either direction.
Written 20 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
misspriss8888
Morgantown, WV63 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
Who would have thought an old railroad bed could become such a beautiful spot? This paved walk by the Mon River is THE place to be on a sunny day. Everyone is out, pushing baby strollers or wheelchairs, walking dogs, ambling along. It's a real treat. Try it!
Written 22 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gail R
Warrenton, VA22 contributions
Oct 2016 • Family
We started at the Waterfront Hotel and walked to Star City. Well cleared, wide black top path. Most of the trail is scenic, minus the power plant. Stop at Table 9 for great view, fantastic food and drinks.
Written 8 October 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nancy S
Wauwatosa, WI67 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
We rode 24 miles on the South Mon part of the trail. It was lovely! It is well maintained. It follows the Monongahela River, passing two locks and dams. It is shady and we saw lots of wild flowers and butterflies, as well as ducks and Great blue Herons. We saw only a handful of bikers and walkers along the way. We had to pay to park at the Hazel Ruby McQuain park, just a heads up.
Written 8 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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