Things to Do

Pack a picnic and plan a full day of fun at Doddridge County Park!

Activities for all ages, abilities, and interests await at our park. Adventure seekers can hike or bike our trails. Need a workout? Play a round of disc golf or enjoy our many sports fields and courts. When the weather heats up, lounge by the pool or splash pad. Bring the little ones and explore multiple playgrounds throughout the park. Or get your steps in on our paved, ADA-compliant walking trail.

The park is also situated around Meathouse Fork Creek which affords plenty of opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and wading.

Disk golf

Challenge your friends to a game and explore the park in the process!

Doddridge County Park is proud to announce the opening of our new 18 hole disk golf course! The two courses, White (short) and Blue (long), feature 18, par 3 holes that take players throughout the park. Whether you are a first-timer or an experienced veteran, you are sure to love this new feature and the hospitality that only Doddridge County Park can provide.

Download the course map here.

The Meathouse Fork Disk Golf Course at the Doddridge County Park is open during park hours, 7:30am to 10:00pm, every day of the week, Sunday through Saturday. The course is open to all visitors free of charge!

Swimming

Bring the whole family and spend hot summer days enjoying the pool and adventure splash pad!

Newly renovated in 2020/2021, the park pool features two diving boards, a brand new adventure-themed splash pad, kiddie pool, plenty of seating, and a busy snack bar. During the season, the pool is open daily (hours vary) from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

The pool OPENING DAY is May 27, 2023, 11am – 6pm.
Pool season runs thru Labor Day, September 4, 2023!

Swim Lessons
Introduce your child to the water the right way! Each summer, the park offers Infant/Parent swim lessons for children aged 6 months through 3 years old, as well as a Beginner/Intermediate Swimmers class. Safe, fun, and goal-based swim lessons with an experienced and certified instructor. Check back early summer for details.

Water Aerobics
Check back in late spring/early summer for information on water aerobics courses. We typically offer a 2-morning per week course or a 2-evening per week course beginning in June.

The park hosts the Doddridge Purple Porpoises competitive swim team for ages 5 through 18 each summer. Practices and home meets are held at the park pool. Registration is in May each year, so check back in spring for more details.

Outdoor Play

Looking for a place to let the kids blow off steam or host pickup games on the weekends?

Doddridge County Park offers many playgrounds and sport areas. The areas are available on a first-come, first-served basis. While these areas cannot be reserved, you can show up early to make sure that you get the one you want.

Basketball
The park is equipped with three basketball courts. Each court has painted lines and the hoops have nets.

Tennis
Pick up your racquet for a quick game and head to the park. This park has one regulation-sized tennis court perfect for your doubles game.

Sand Volleyball
Get a group together for a game of sand volley! We supply the sand and court, you bring the people and the ball.

Baseball/Softball
There are two baseball / softball fields available for use on the property. These fields are perfect for a game with family or friends or for a corporate outing.

The summer months are all about playing outside, but it can be hard to find a place for your kids to run free without feeling crowded. Doddridge County Park has several playground options, which are designed for different age ranges, preferences, and likes. We have a large play structure perfect for hanging, running around, and imaginative play. In addition, there are both a large playground and a little playground.

EQT Adventure Zone
With the generous support of EQT the playground was replaced in 2018 and relocated to a nearby area of the Park. A challenging play area was developed with features that mimic outdoor adventuring activities such as climbing, ropes courses and caving. The EQT Adventure Zone has a strong nature theme that blends into the parks overall setting while still providing fun and activities for youth.

Little Tykes Playground
You can rest easy while your little ones play at our brand new Little Tykes playground. This features the plastic you knew and love when you were a little kid. Everything is designed for little legs, arms, and imaginations. You won’t have to worry about your child falling on hard metal because the entire set is made from durable, colorful plastic parts. Your little one is sure to also enjoy the many animal features around the structure.

Hiking and Biking

Doddridge County Park offers several trails, from the leisurely stroll to the challenging climb.

With over six miles of trails currently and adding more each visitor can explore the creeks and hills of the Park. Please refer to the Trail Map to find entrance points, distances, trail ratings and intersection points with other trails.

View or download our Map & Trail Guide brochure, complete with trail ratings, mileage, and descriptions.

Or explore the park from your computer using our Interactive Trail Map on the WV Trail Inventory Map.

EQT Creekside Educational Trail
Distance: 1.1 Miles
Difficulty: Easiest

This trail can be accessed anywhere along the creek within the main park and by crossing over the bridge to Lone Pine Campground continue on to link with several more challenging and varied trails. The EQT Trail offers a dozen kiosks along its length that provide information on floral and fauna native to the Park. Learn interesting facts about the trees, flowers, water creatures and birds you may see along your walk.

Meathouse Fork Trail (Lower)
Distance: 0.94 Miles
Difficulty: Easiest

This trail runs along the creek within Lone Pine Campground and offers a leisurely hike filled with creekside attractions and water venues. It also offers access to several fishing spots. Meathouse Fork Trail also provides the closest access point to the Park from the North Bend Rail Trail just eight tenth of a mile away. Portions may be closed due to high water when heavy rain persists.

Meathouse Fork Trail (Upper)
Distance: 0.7 Miles
Difficulty: Moderate

The Meathouse Fork trail (Upper) parallels the Lower trail but on a rise 50 to 60 feet up the hill. Provides a wide level path that offers plenty of vistas for you to take in. you can access the Upper Trail at Cut Road in the campground or at Table Rock area along the Lower Trail.

Old Farm Pond Trail
Distance: 0.49 Miles
Difficulty: Moderate

This trail begins at Table Rock and runs trough a meadow and into the woods. A short trail off of Meathouse Fork Trail that provides a great intermittent stream to explore along with rock faces that offer some challenging climbing points.

Crossing Trail
Distance: 0.7 Miles
Difficulty: Moderate Strenuous

The Crossing trail bisects the parks trails and intersects with Old Farm Pond and Timber Trails along its run. A varied trial that at times follows a logging path and at others climbs and descends hills.

Timber Trail
Distance: 0.88 Miles
Difficulty: Moderate Strenuous

The Timber trail is one of the longest trails and takes a hiker deeper into the Park. Running along an old timber road, the trail offers easy hiking with access to more difficult trails.

Wilderness Road
Distance: 1.1 Miles
Difficulty: Moderate Strenuous

Wilderness Road is a graveled road that runs from the area along the Meathouse Fork Trail and begins at Table Rock. It is a steady climb for the first mile and then levels to a winding road. It allows for great views of the forest and, at the top, vistas overlooking the surrounding area. The trail provides access to Timber Trail at 0.8-mile point, Crossing Trail at 0.6-mile point and both Meathouse Fork Trails – allowing the hiker or mountain biker to venture into the entire park wilderness.

Overlook Trail
Distance: 0.19 Miles
Difficulty: Moderate Strenuous

The Overlook trail is a short trial off of Timber Trail that takes a hiker to the highest point in the park. At over 1220 feet the point provides great views of the Park and surrounding land.

North Bend Rail Trail Park
North Bend Rail Trail stretches 72 miles across north-central and western West Virginia. This wilderness path takes travelers across 36 bridges and through 10 tunnels and is part of the 5,500-mile American Discovery Trail, which spans the length of the United States. The trail has become one of the most renowned recreational trails through the Appalachians, and is known for its mountainous scenery and varied views of shaded tree canopies, rock cuts and farmland. Highlights include a 2,297-foot tunnel and the “haunted” Silver Run Tunnel.

**North Bend Rail Trail is located .8 miles from the Meathouse Fork Trail head located near Snowbird Road Bridge. Doddridge County Park offers a great access point for the rail trail with camping and shower facilities.**

Bike the North Bend Rail Trail! North Bend Rail Trail stretches 72 miles across north-central and western West Virginia. This wilderness path takes travelers across 36 bridges and through 10 tunnels and is part of the 5,500-mile American Discovery Trail, which spans the length of the United States. The trail has become one of the most renowned recreational trails through the Appalachians, and is known for its mountainous scenery and varied views of shaded tree canopies, rock cuts and farmland. Highlights include a 2,297-foot tunnel and the “haunted” Silver Run Tunnel. North Bend Rail Trail is located .8 miles from the Meathouse Fork Trail head located near Snowbird Road Bridge. Doddridge County Park offers a great access point for the rail trail with camping and shower facilities.

Lone Pine Campground provides youth and adult bike rentals for use in the Park and campground as well as along the North Bend Rail Trail. Bikes may be rented for three hour increments or for the full day. Please check with the Campground Attendant for information on rental fees and times.

Kayaking

Let the gentle current of Meathouse Fork Creek take you on a tour of the park

Meathouse Fork, tributary of Middle Island Creek, runs for over two miles around the Doddridge County Park. An enjoyable float trip for guests of all ages. Put in on one side of the park and enjoy the float around to the take out spot on the other end of the park. Seasonal kayaking and canoeing is available when water levels allow – generally, Fall, Winter and Spring. Low water levels may require you to carry your kayak/canoe thru shallow areas. (Call for conditions.)

Meathouse Fork offers seasonal opportunities for float trips around Doddridge County Park. Spring and early summer, along with late Fall provide a consistent water flow in the creek to allow for a fun and relaxing float trip. Enjoy over one mile of family fun floating along the creek in innertubes or inflatable kayaks available for rent.

Season:
April 1 – mid June (July and August are dependent on rain fall)
September – October dependent on rainfall

Fishing

Enjoy fishing the picturesque Meathouse Fork of the Middle Island Creek.

Meathouse Fork provides for a fun fishing experience for youth and adults and there are plenty of nice spots to drop a line. Anglers have reported catching Blue Gill, Muskie, Bass and Catfish in these waters. Many pools provide habitat for muskellunge, spotted bass, smallmouth bass, rock bass, various species of sunfish, freshwater drum, channel catfish, and flathead catfish. Fish from the bank or wade in the slow-moving current.

**Permits are required by DNR.**

There’s so much to do, you really should spend the night!

Our recently upgraded Lone Pine Campground includes an RV Park, tent sites and three yurts for overnight stays, as well as a camp store, bathhouse, and covered patio featuring a fireplace and television.

Upcoming Events at DCP

Earth Day Celebration & Bike Trail Ride

April 22 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Giant Community Yard Sale

May 13 @ 8:00 am - 2:00 pm

Mountain State Scottish & Celtic Gathering

May 20 @ 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Opening Day at Park Pool

May 27 @ 11:00 am - 6:00 pm