Explore Clarksburg, West Virginia

Clarksburg is the county seat of West Virginia’s Harrison County with a population of 90,434. In 2011, it was named the National Small City of the Year by the National League of Cities. People have lived in this area for thousands of years. The indigenous Hopewell culture built the mounds you can still see today. By 1772, several settlers had started claiming land and building log cabins in the area. It was authorized as a city in 1785 by the Virginia General Assembly. They named it after General George Rogers Clark, who conducted numerous expeditions against the British and the local natives during the Indian War and the American Revolution. 

Poor transportation through the area led to Clarksburg teaming up with other towns, such as Romney, Kingwood, and Parkersburg, to build the Northwestern Turnpike. By 1856, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad reached Clarksburg. This advancement helped the city grow, and during the Civil War, the B & O line allowed Clarksburg to become a supply base for the Union. Clarksburg’s true boom years were at the turn of the century, due to an increase in coal and glass production. Many of the buildings in the Clarksburg Downtown Historic District were built during this time. 

Today, Clarksburg is West Virginia’s 10th largest city. Clarksburg hosts several annual events, including the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival, the West Virginia Black Heritage Festival, and the Glen Elk Wine, Music, and Arts Festival. Visitors appreciate the area’s many historic buildings, such as The Waldomore and the Empire National Bank Building. Time can be spent enjoying Clarksburg’s outdoor spaces by spending a day at Veteran’s Memorial Park. You can take a scenic walk along the river or enjoy a quiet picnic here, and this park is the home of the outdoor Clarksburg Amphitheater, which hosts several concerts, events, and movies throughout the year. 

You won't want to miss the chance to catch a show at the Robinson Grand Performing Arts Center while in Clarksburg, and if you’re looking for family-friendly fun, spend an afternoon at the Clarksburg Splash Zone, or head over to the River Bend Miniature Golf Course. The area has many restaurants to choose from. Start your day at the Stonewall Coffee House, and be sure to try the famous pepperoni rolls at Tomaro’s Bakery. 

Campgrounds Near Clarksburg, West Virginia

Morgantown Campground has 15 concrete and gravel sites with full hookups. They are a pet-friendly campground that’s open year-round. Cell reception is available. While it doesn’t have a wide range of amenities, it’s a nice, quiet place to relax. Monthly rates range from $450 to $550. Call for daily and weekly rates. 

Milan Park is an event and expo center in Morgantown that offers 35 RV sites with full hookups. It’s well-lit and secure. The community center, located at the end of the RV lot, has a bathroom for guests to use. Daily rates start at $40. Discounts are offered for multiple-night stays. 

Chestnut Ridge Park & Campground in Bruce Mills has 20 sites that are perfect for small to mid-size RVs. Families enjoy the playground and swimming pond. There’s an on-site fishing lake and a beach for sunbathing. Live entertainment is provided on Saturdays. Daily rates range from $24 to $34. 

State Parks Near Clarksburg, West Virginia

Tygart Lake State Park near Clarksburg is located at the foot of the Allegheny Mountains. It’s the home of the 1,750-acre Tygart Lake which was created by the damn that was built in 1938. You can enjoy several watersports on the lake, such as canoeing, kayaking, scuba diving, and water skiing. Activities include relaxing on the beach, exploring the hiking trails, and dining at the Tygart Lake Lodge. 

Audra State Park is a heavily wooded area near Clarksburg in West Virginia. The park is divided by the Middle Fork River, where visitors can enjoy activities like fishing, swimming, and boating. The numerous trails within the park include the 2.7-mile Alum Creek and Cave Trail, as well as the Boardwalk, which is found below the Alum Cave overhang. As you explore the area, you’ll find pine, maple, and oak trees along with beautiful rhododendron thickets that bloom each spring. Wildlife includes white-tailed deer, squirrels, and a variety of bird species. 

Stonewall Jackson State Park encompasses 1,736 acres in Lewis County near Stonewall Jackson Lake and the West Fork River. The park includes many unique features. You can practice your swing at the driving range, dine at one of the three restaurants serving traditional American cuisine, or relax with a session at the spa and fitness center. The lake provides visitors with an opportunity for boating, fishing, tubing, and water skiing. You’ll also find several miles of hiking trails and mountain bike paths that allow you to further explore the park. 

National Sites Near Clarksburg, West Virginia

The Friendship Hill National Historic Site is Albert Gallatin’s estate and Federal-style brick home. He served as the Secretary of the Treasury during both Jefferson’s and Madison’s administrations and funded Lewis and Clark’s exhibition and the purchase of the Louisiana Territory. His estate was used as a place to stay for Europeans fleeing the French Revolution. You can enjoy a self-guided audio tour of the grounds as you walk along the Monongahela River, take in the stunning views, and see his first wife’s gravesite. 

The Gauley River National Recreation Area includes 25 miles of the Gauley River as well as six miles of the Meadow River. The site encompasses a deep scenic gorge with abundant wildlife. There are 25 miles of rough landscape that drops over 668 feet in order to create the perfect white water rafting adventure. Camping and hiking are also popular activities here. 

The Flight 93 National Memorial is a tribute to the bravery of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. On this day, the highjacked United Airlines Flight 93 never reached its intended target, and the United States Capitol was spared. This is because of the 40 passengers and crew onboard that fought back and crashed the plane into a Shanksville, Pennsylvania field. This memorial preserves the site and provides an educational center focused on the courage of those victims. 

National Forests Near Clarksburg, West Virginia

The Monongahela National Forest encompasses 919,000 acres. It’s found in the West Virginia highlands, and it’s the home of the state’s highest mountain peaks. As you explore the 825 miles of hiking trails, you’ll find 75 tree species. This includes red spruce, balsam fir, and mountain ash. The forest is home to an abundance of wildlife. Look for black bears, wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, rabbits, squirrels, and grouse while visiting. 

Wayne National Forest is located in the Appalachian foothills of southeastern Ohio. It’s a collection of public lands that encompass one million acres. It’s divided into three main tracts with various types of forests and wetlands to explore from the numerous hiking trails. Many of these trails feature covered bridges. Fishing is a popular sport among the forest’s rivers, streams, and lakes. 

The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests include 1.8 million acres of the Appalachian Mountains found across Kentucky, West Virginia, and Virginia. While there are mostly pines and hardwoods in these forests, you’ll find 40 different species in all. Birdwatchers will enjoy over 200 species that call this area home, and when fishing, you are among 100 species of fish and mussels. The 2,000 miles of hiking trails include a portion of the Appalachian Trail. As you explore these forests, keep an eye out for the black bear, white-tailed deer, bald eagles, and bobcats that call this area home.