Trails
There are seven blazed trails at the West Virginia Botanic Garden at Tibbs Run Preserve, each less than a mile long, as well as a wetland boardwalk, and a short, unmarked Pond View Trail along the Reservoir Loop Trail. All the trails are interconnected, enabling you to make your walk as long or short as you would like.
Which trail am I on?
Check for the blazes below to find your location. All the trails loop into one another. If you’ve lost your way on the far side of Jones Run, look for the Forest Loop Trail or the Wetland Loop Trail for the quickest way back to the parking lot.
Hillside Trail
Reservoir Loop Trail
Pond View Trail
Forest Trail
Wetland Loop Trail
Tibbs Crossing Trail
Far Side Trail
Mine Pit Trail (formerly Noah's Trail)
Trail Descriptions
Reservoir Loop Trail
The Reservoir Loop Trail encircles the entire reservoir basin, is ADA accessible from the Education and Event Center and Lower Parking area and is the access route to the other features of the WVBG. This crushed stone loop trail provides views of the large...
Far Side Trail
Originating at the diversion dam follow the blazes to a creek crossing downstream from the dam. The rocks in the creek make this crossing quite easy most of the time. There is a short boardwalk aiding in the ascent from the stream. Immediately past this...
Wetland Loop Trail
The Wetland Loop Trail can be accessed from the Forest Trail to the left of the wooden bridge or from the eastern end of the Wetland Boardwalk. The trail begins in very open forest changing to hemlocks as the slope ascends. Shortly before rejoining the Forest...
Tibbs Crossing Trail
Hiking past the diversion dam on the Forest Trail a sign directs the walker to the lower end of the Tibbs Crossing Trail, so named because two crossings of the creek are necessary to complete this loop. It is worth wet feet to follow this path along a lovely...
Forest Trail
This trail is central to the other woodland loop trails. The Forest Trail is just a few paces from the wooden bridge and allows travel in either direction. Following the trail to the right the walker comes to a beautiful open area, the site of the diversion...
Pond View Trail
This short loop takes visitors from the Reservoir Loop Trail, through the alder grove and down to an intimate view of the pond and provides the best viewing location for the water outlet tower. Many birders prize this spot for its wildlife viewing. 100...
Mine Pit Trail (formerly Noah’s Trail)
Each end of this rolling woodland trail connects with the Far Side Trail. It is heavily forested with little understory growth. The large hemlocks provide great cooling in hot weather. Parts of the trail are quite steep. There are beautiful views of the...
Hillside Trail
Created in 2016, the Hillside Trail begins on the left side of the road just beyond the main gate of the upper parking lot. It descends along a south-facing slope connecting the entrance to the rest of the garden including the George W. Longenecker Shade Garden...
Trail Connectors
There are two connection points between the Core Garden Trails and the Woodland Trails.
Interpretive History of the Tibbs Run Reservoir
