Coopers Rock State Park has 21 different trails ranging from easy to moderate and steep covering nearly 50 miles of the forest. One of the more popular trails, Henry Clay Iron Furnace Trail, takes you on a trip back in time. As you round the last bend of the trail, you find a huge stone structure used for producing iron in the 1800’s, located in a grassy glade in an otherwise undisturbed forest.
Trail Information
Clay Furnace Trail
This trail is a mostly level grade with a few steep sections. It runs from the furnace parking area to the Henry Clay iron furnace.
Distance: 0.8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Clay Run Trail
View the historic Henry Clay Iron Furnace at the end of this moderate hiking trail. The trail begins across the road from the McCollum camping area entrance.
Distance: 1.8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Darnell Hollow Trail
This moderate to steep road/trail begins near the Calvary Church on Fairchance Road and ends at Chestnut Ridge Campground.
Distance: 4 miles
Difficulty: Moderate/steep
Eagle Trail
This very easy trail starts to the right of the gift shop and takes you to shelter #3 and the trailhead of Rock City Trail.
Distance: 0.3 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Glade Run Trail
This trail begins on the left of Sand Springs Road and ends at Messinger Lake.
Distance: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Goodspeed Highway Trail
This road/trail begins at the Quarry Run Road and leads to Chestnut Ridge Camp.
Distance: 3 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Johnson Hollow Trail
This moderate to steep hiking trail connects the Goodspeed Highway Trail with Quarry Run Road.
Distance: 3 miles
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Ken’s Run Trail
This moderate hiking trail runs from the old Sand Springs homestead to the archery range parking lot.
Distance: 4.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Lick Run Trail
This moderately steep trail begins at Sand Springs Road and ends at W.Va. 73.
Distance: 1.8 miles
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
McCollum Trail
This trail starts at McCollum Campground, crosses Ravens Rock Trail and connects with the main forest road. It is a great connector trail from the campground to Ravens Rock Trail or Coopers Rock Overlook via Roadside Trail.
Distance: 1 mile
Difficulty: Easy
Mont Chateau Trail
This trail begins at the Henry Clay iron furnace and ends at Cheat Lake near the old Mont Chateau Lodge.
Distance: 2.6 miles
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Rattlesnake Trail
This trail winds along the rocky cliffs that parallel the rim of the Cheat River Canyon, and connects the concession stand and Rock City.
Distance: 0.7 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Ravens Rock Trail
This dual-duty access road/trail begins at the gated road on the left, approximately 0.7 miles past the campground entrance. It leads to Ravens Rock overlook, which offers a spectacular view of the Cheat River Canyon.
Distance: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Reservoir Loop Trail
This is a nice trail for those looking for an easy loop hike. It starts from the Clay Run Trail near the reservoir and loops back to Clay Run Trail.
Distance: 0.7 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Rhododendron Trail
This trail starts at the lower picnic area near shelter 3 and ends at the Henry Clay iron furnace. It is the perfect place to see our state flower, the rhododendron.
Distance: 1 mile
Difficulty: Moderate
Ridge Trail
The ridge trail starts at the Rock City shelter, follows a moderate grade and connects with the Mont Chateau Trail.
Distance: 1.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Rock City Trail
This easy to moderate trail runs from picnic shelter 3 through the area known as Rock City.
Distance: 1 mile
Difficulty: Easy
Roadside Trail
This trail leads from the parking lot near the forest entrance to the overlook. It’s a great trail to hike to the overlook while staying off the road.
Distance: 3 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Scott Run Trail
The trail begins near the forest entrance parking area and ends at the McCollum camping area.
Distance: 2.5 miles
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Underlook Trail
This trail gives a unique view from the underside of the geological formation that is Coopers Rock overlook.
Distance: 0.2 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Virgin Hemlock Trail
Visit a large hemlock grove which is over 300 years old at the end of this trail which starts at W.Va.73.
Distance: 1.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Trail Maps PDF
Cooper’s Rock Guide
