The Meadow River Rail Trail meanders through a scenic and remote region of West Virginia. Despite its off-the-beaten-path locale, it’s surrounded by an outdoor paradise of things to do, including nearby Babcock and Hawk Nest state parks, Summersville Lake, and the New River Gorge National Park & Preserve — the latter selected as a National Geographic “Best of the World” Top 20 Travel Experience for 2024.

Follow Route 60 east to Rainelle for local restaurants, shopping and the closest grocery store. The New River Gorge National Park & Preserve is only 16 miles to the west, featuring world-class whitewater, rock climbing, ziplining and its famous bridge. And to the north 19 miles, the city of Summersville serves as a hub for numerous chain hotels, restaurants and the closest Walmart.

To get started, we’ve compiled a list of suggested things to do, places to eat and rest your head, and our local outdoor shops.

Local Attractions:

Summersville Lake – 278 Summersville Lake Rd, Mt. Nebo, WV 26679 (304)872-5975 summersvillelakeretreat.com

Babcock State Park – 486 Babcock Rd, Clifftop, WV 25831 (304)438-3004 wvstateparks.com

Nuttalburg – End of County Rt 85/2, Fayetteville, WV 25840

Cowboy Town – 257 19 Midland Trail, Hico, WV 25854 (740)856-9157 horsebackridethenewriver.com

Restaurants:

The Local 805 – 805 Broad Street, Summersville, WV 26651 (681)355-0335

The Vault On Main – 800 Main St, Summersville, WV 26651 (304)872-1770 thevaultonmainwv.com

Original Flavor Bistro – 860 Broad St, Summersville, WV 26651 (304)872-2301

Craft Kings – WV-41, Mt. Nebo, WV 26679 (304)872-9782

The Take Out – 115 E Maple Ave, Fayetteville, WV 25840 (304)900-5057

Rainelle Deli & Marketplace – 707 Main St, Rainelle, WV 25962 (304) 877-8423

Local Outdoor Shops:

Park Center Sporting Goods – 506 John Raine Dr, Rainelle, WV 25962 (304)438-5660 parkcentersporting.com

Water Stone Outdoors – 101 W Wisemen Ave, Fayetteville, WV 25840 (304)574-2425 waterstoneoutdoors.com

Ace Adventure Gear – 239 N Court St, Fayetteville, WV 25840 (304)574-1900 aceadventuregear.com

Arrowhead Bike Farm & Campground 8262 Gatewood Rd, Fayetteville, WV 25840 (304) 900-5501 arrowheadbikefarm.com

Lucky’s Outdoors – 3023 W Webster Rd, Summersville, WV 26651 (304)872-0075

New River Bike 221 N. Court St, Fayetteville, WV 25840 (304) 574-2453 newriverbikes.com

Trophy Tracker Outdoors – 1034 Groves Ford Rd, Summersville, WV 26651 (304)415-0769

Camping/Lodging:

Quality Inn New River Gorge – 103 Elliots Way, Fayetteville, WV 29840 (304)574-8256 choicehotels.com

Hawks Nest Lodge – 18408 Midland Trail Ansted, WV 25812 (304)658-5212 wvstateparks.com

The Historic Morris Harvey House – 201 W Maple Ave, Fayetteville, WV 25840 (304)646-7561 morrisharveyhouse.com

Hemlock Haven Cabins – Mallard Rd, Hico, WV 25854

LaQuinta Inn & Suites – 106 Merchant Walk, Summersville, WV 26651

Meadow River Campground 84 Laurel Lane, Nallen, WV 26680 (304) 663-5607 gauley.com/stay/meadow-river-campground/

Rays Campground 1199 Sunday Rd, Hico, WV 25854 (304) 658-4386 rayscampground.com

New River Gorge Campground 632 Milroy Grose, Lansing, WV 25862 (304) 658-3600 newrivergorgecampground.net

Local Urgent Care Facilities:

Summersville Regional Medical Center 400 Fairview Heights Rd, Summersville, WV 26651 (304)872-2891 wvumedicine.org/summersville/

Summersville MedExpress 5870 Webster Rd, Summersville, WV 26651 (304)872-3709 medexpress.com

Fayetteville MedExpress 5447 Maple Lane, Fayetteville, WV 25840 (304)658-9397 medexpress.com

Rainelle Medical Center 176 Medical Center Dr, Rainelle, WV 25962 (304)438-6188