County Route 17 Blackwater River Valley

County Route 17 starts innocently enough as pavement but quickly turns to gravel as it follows the Blackwater River into one of West Virginia’s most isolated valleys. The road deteriorates to rough two-track after crossing the old railroad bridge at Mile 8, where you’ll encounter the first of several beaver dam washouts that require careful navigation. This forgotten corner of Tucker County holds remnants of virgin red spruce forest that survived the logging era, and the valley floor is dotted with massive beaver ponds that create their own ecosystem.

Easy to moderate depending on recent beaver activity and seasonal flooding. Any stock vehicle with decent ground clearance can make the first 12 miles, but the final stretch to the trailhead requires 4WD and aggressive tires. Spring runoff can make parts impassable through June. No services beyond Parsons, so fuel up and bring recovery gear. The payoff is solitude that’s rare in West Virginia—you might not see another soul for days. Perfect basecamp for exploring the surrounding ridges or just watching the beavers work at dusk.