Hurricane: Trails, Parks, and Local History

Hurricane offers several distinct highlights to consider when planning a stay: trails for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking; waterside park paths; sports facilities; and visible traces of the town’s history. If you’re looking for a hotel in Hurricane, you can think about which of these themes will shape your trip. The destinations differ in activity and character: some focus on outdoor recreation, while others highlight sports, railroad history, or the town’s historical development.

Trails and Paths in Hurricane

The main trailhead system for the Meeks Mountain Trails is near the back of Hurricane City Park. The trails are suitable for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking. If trail use is an important part of your trip planning, this system covers three clearly identified activities. Hurricane City Park also has a walking and jogging path with views of the city reservoir. In comparison, the park path focuses on walking, jogging, and views of the water, while mountain biking is specifically associated with the Meeks Mountain Trails.

City Parks and Sports Facilities

An accessible fishing pier is located on Hurricane Reservoir next to Hurricane City Park. Together with the path offering views of the reservoir, the water feature is a clear focal point in the park. The town’s railroad history is also represented there: the caboose is a retired C&O railcar containing railroad memorabilia and artifacts related to Hurricane’s railroad history. Hurricane Skatepark opened in 2023, directly by the main entrance to Hurricane City Park.

The Putnam County Bank Sports Complex is located in Hurricane Bridge Park and has four tournament-ready baseball fields. The facility includes a press box, a concession stand, and restrooms. This gives the sports complex a different focus from the park paths and historical features: baseball fields and the listed amenities are central here. This lets you distinguish between trails and walking paths on the one hand and sports facilities on the other when planning your trip.

Walking Paths and Seasonal Attractions at Valley Park

Valley Park in Hurricane has two walking paths. Its main path goes all the way around the park and is suitable for a leisurely stroll or a short run. The Fairy Trail passes through a stand of pine trees and offers a wider range of difficulty levels. The path descriptions provide different points of reference: the main path is a loop around the park, while the Fairy Trail is a route through the pines with more choice in difficulty levels.

The “Almost Heaven Swing” at Valley Park offers views of one of the park’s ponds. Also located there is Waves of Fun, one of only two wave pools in the state of West Virginia. Operations may vary from year to year depending on the season. This distinction between the walking paths and the seasonal wave pool is relevant when planning your trip: the paths are defined by their routes and features, while the wave pool is an attraction with a changing season.

History and Art in the Townscape

Hurricane Bridge developed into a busy stagecoach stop and an important center for livestock trading. The town’s name Hurricane was also linked to a natural phenomenon, leading to the place being called “the place of the hurricane.” These historical references complement the recreational offerings with a look at the town’s development.

The “Blind Wizard Mural” is located on Main Street in Hurricane. Together with the caboose in Hurricane City Park, it provides a way to explore the town’s history through different forms: the mural is part of the public street art, while the retired railcar contains railroad memorabilia and artifacts related to local railroad history. This lets you weigh outdoor recreation, sports, and historical themes when choosing destinations for your trip to Hurricane.

For the broader travel overview: Putnam County.