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River · Metro Valley

Coal River Water Trail

An organized water trail on the Big Coal, Little Coal and main-stem Coal rivers south of Charleston, with maintained access points, mapped mileages and signage — the product of sustained work by the Coal River Group to turn a working-class industrial river back into a recreation asset. Warm, slow water with good smallmouth and catfish.

88 mi · Water trailClass I · DifficultyMaintained · Access points

Know before you go

  • Coal River Group publishes the most current access maps
  • Meander through Tornado and St. Albans is the most-used section
  • Levels drop in late summer but most sections stay floatable

What you can do here

Water Trails

Apr–Oct

Recreational Kayaking

Apr–Oct

Canoeing

Apr–Oct

Kayak Fishing

Apr–Oct

Fishing

Year-round

Tubing

Jun–Aug

Flatwater Paddling

Apr–Oct

Trail & River Stewardship

Year-round
AdvertiseThis space is available

Guides, gear and lodging near Coal River Water Trail

Place-level placement for operators within range of this trailhead, put-in or crag.

List your business here

Who looks after it

Morris Creek Watershed Association Nonprofit Kanawha-area watershed restoration group focused on acid mine drainage remediation. Visit Paint Creek Watershed Association Nonprofit Paint Creek watershed monitoring and restoration in the Kanawha basin. Visit Coal River Group / Coal River Water Trail Nonprofit Paddling, river access, conservation and recreation along the Big Coal, Little Coal and main-stem Coal rivers — one of the most developed water trail networks in the state. Visit Guyandotte Water Trail Alliance Nonprofit Guyandotte River paddling and water-trail development in southwestern West Virginia. Visit Wildwater Kayakers Nonprofit Charleston-based paddling community covering the New, Gauley, Elk and other rivers. Visit Active Southern West Virginia Nonprofit Free outdoor fitness, hiking, running, paddling and community recreation programming throughout southern West Virginia. Visit

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