Discover Wood: History and Nature

In Wood, cultural history, river scenery, and outdoor experiences come together. Wood County’s visitor attractions range from the banks of the Ohio River to the mountain corridor along Interstate 77. You can tailor your stay to historic sites, activities on the water, or longer routes through the landscape.

Island Visits and History

Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park is located on an island in the Ohio River. Among its most distinctive structures is a reconstructed Palladian mansion. Visitors reach the island from Point Park on 2nd Street in Parkersburg aboard a paddle-wheel riverboat; seasonal operating hours may vary. Tours take visitors around the grounds and through the mansion, and carriage rides are also available. Tours run during the park’s operating season, from May through the last weekend in October. Check the current boat schedule and tour dates before your trip.

Henderson Hall also offers a glimpse into different periods of regional history. The house, grounds, and Henderson family cemetery make up the Henderson Hall Historic District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Original furnishings document life on the frontier from the 18th century through the oil-boom days of the 20th century. The property also includes a working blacksmith shop.

Explore historic architecture in the Julia-Ann Square Historic District, which encompasses about 126 homes in the Second Empire, 19th-century eclectic, and Queen Anne styles, dating from approximately 1850 to 1910. A historic walking tour includes 54 homes, a historic church, and one of the area’s first cemeteries. At Fort Boreman Historical Park, Civil War Union trenches and interpretive signs recall the site’s history. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003; the park offers views of Parkersburg, the Ohio River, and the Little Kanawha River. The Wood County Courthouse is also listed on the register.

Oil Boom, Museums, and Live Performances

Volcano’s history is closely tied to the region’s earlier oil boom. After additional oil fields were discovered near Volcano, Wood County quickly became a major oil market; an oil pipeline connected Volcano with Parkersburg. Mountwood Park is located on land that was once part of the 19th-century oil-boom town of Volcano. Its Volcano Museum displays artifacts and information about the town’s history. It is open from May 1 through October 31 on Saturdays, Sundays, and during special events from 1 to 4 p.m.; check the hours before your visit.

The Oil & Gas Museum is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Since hours may change, it’s a good idea to check the current schedule in advance. For live entertainment, the Smoot Theatre offers programming year-round; its schedule may also change.

River, Trails, and Nature

The Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge protects native wildlife habitats along the river and in its floodplain. Near the visitor center, there are short hiking trails and access for fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. Since facility details may change, check visitor information before your visit.

For hiking and biking, Mountwood Park has a network of nearly 30 miles of singletrack trails. The North Bend Rail Trail stretches 72 miles from Interstate 77 near Parkersburg in Wood County to Wolf Summit in Harrison County. It is designated for hiking, biking, and horseback riding only. The different trail lengths and permitted uses make it easy to choose between the two options based on your preferred time commitment and activity.

Veterans Memorial Park is a day-use park on a wooded hillside; access is seasonal. Facilities include picnic and playground areas, as well as opportunities for catch-and-release fishing. Other recreational activities in Wood County include boating on the Ohio River, along with canoeing and hunting inland.

Discover more destinations: Vienna, Mineral Wells, Parkersburg, Grant County, Wayne County, Greenbrier, Preston County, Gilmer County.

See the main travel overview: West Virginia.