Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park

Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park: a very interesting nearby historic Civil War state park and battlefield site, located less than 20 minutes from Country Road Cabins.

Nestled on the rim of the Gauley River Canyon near Summersville, West Virginia, Carnifex Ferry Battlefield State Park is an important Civil War battle site. On September 10, 1861 Union troops led by Brigadier General William S. Rosecrans engaged the Confederates and forced them to evacuate an entrenched position on the Henry Patterson farm that overlooked Carnifex Ferry. The Confederate commander, Brigadier General John B. Floyd retreated across the ferry to the south side of the Gauley River and on eastward to Meadow Bluff near Lewisburg. This Civil War battle represented the failure of a Confederate drive to regain control of the Kanawha Valley. As a result, the movement for West Virginia statehood proceeded without serious threat from Confederates.

Features & Facilities: the park is well set up for picnics, day trips, and families.

Picnic facilities with tables and grills.
Four reservable shelters.
Hiking Trails.
Restrooms.
Playground equipment.
Softball and Volleyball Areas.
Horseshoe Pits.
Vending Machines.
Patterson House Museum.
Three Overlooks of the Gauley River.

Trail Descriptions: The park has three easy to moderate trails that are wonderful day hikes, from 2 to 6 miles in total length.

Old Ferry Road--- 3 miles
A short section of this old road is on State Park property and begins near shelter #3. It was the road used by Confederate General Floyd during his retreat off the mountain to Carnifex Ferry, approximately 1.2 miles in distance. The park section of the old road is moderate in difficulty.

Patterson Trail--- 2 miles
This trail forms a loop around the park and can be accessed from several locations. Generally easy to moderate in difficulty, the trail features three overlooks of the Gauley River.

Pierson Hollow Trail---6 miles
This trail branches off the Patterson Trail across the road from the Patterson House Museum. The trail passes through a stand of mature trees before ending. The trail is narrow, but generally considered easy-to-moderate in difficulty.

How to get there
From US 19, south of Summersville, take WV 129 west approximately 5 miles to left turn on Carnifex Ferry Road. It's then 1 mile to the park. The park is an easy drive from our New River cabin rentals, located in the midst of incredible outdoor recreation and scenery in southwestern West Virginia.