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West Virginia | North-central West Virginia / West Fork River Water Trail

West Fork RiverGood Hope Public Access to West Milford Public Access

West Fork River Good Hope Public Access to West Milford Public Access is a 6 mi Class I-II run documented by official route and access sources.

Route location

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Plan this route

Distance6 mi
DifficultyEasy
Typical timeAbout 3–5 hr depending on flow
ShuttleCar shuttle
The West Fork River at River Bend City Park in Clarksburg, West Virginia.
Route photoWest Fork River at Clarksburg; same-river contextPhoto by Wikimedia Commons contributor

Need to know

Why this call
This route is documented for planning, but does not receive a Paddle Today score.
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Route overview

Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
On-water distance6 miGood Hope Public Access to West Milford Public Access
DifficultyeasyEasy Class I-II moving water for prepared beginners, with short riffles and debris hazards that still require active boat control and a full float plan.
ShuttleCar shuttleLeave the shuttle at West Milford Public Access/Island Park, then return south on US 19 to the Good Hope access. Confirm the lot and carry path and do not park on the highway shoulder.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific permit is published for the named public endpoints. Follow current West Virginia boating/PFD rules, posted access rules, and any closure or water-quality notice.
CampingDay tripNo on-route camping is assumed. Use verified lodging or campgrounds around West Milford, Clarksburg, or the wider West Fork corridor; confirm availability, fees, fire rules, water quality, and overnight parking.
SeasonApr-OctLate spring through fall; September is attractive when the downstream proxy is stable, recent rain is limited, local water is clear, and both access sites are open.

Plan ahead

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

TomorrowChecking

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WeekendChecking

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Plan

Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Route logistics

Access and shuttle

Six-mile beginner-friendly West Fork River Water Trail float from Good Hope to West Milford, using the Mount Clare station as a downstream proxy and requiring a local debris/rainfall check.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Good Hope Public Access Site behind Hawks Nest Convenience Store
Open mapDirections to put-in

Good Hope is behind Hawks Nest Convenience Store and has a public carry-down, but do not assume store or adjacent private parking is included; confirm signs and staging with the access manager.

Finish

Take-out

West Milford Public Access / Island Park
Open mapDirections to take-out

West Milford Public Access/Island Park can host community events. Confirm the ramp, parking, and any Float the Fork or maintenance closure before leaving a shuttle.

Road shuttle

Driving shuttle routeShuttle in Apple MapsOpenStreetMap
Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Good Hope is behind Hawks Nest Convenience Store and has a public carry-down, but do not assume store or adjacent private parking is included; confirm signs and staging with the access manager.
  • West Milford Public Access/Island Park can host community events. Confirm the ramp, parking, and any Float the Fork or maintenance closure before leaving a shuttle.
  • Intermediate banks are not automatic bailouts. Land only at open, signed public properties and keep vehicles off shoulders and private drives.

Watch for

  • USGS 03058975 discharge outside the 100–3,000 cfs conservative screen, a sharp rise, or a mismatch between the downstream Mount Clare proxy and local Good Hope conditions.
  • High or muddy water after rain, shallow riffles, strainers, submerged debris, bridge turbulence, private banks, cold water, and limited cell service.

Plan this paddle

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

Trip schedule

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Conditions

Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

Check the forecast and local water levels before launching.

Gauge detail

Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

Gauge

Recent trend

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Weather

Hourly forecast

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Route gallery

Photos

Check each caption: some photos show the surrounding area rather than this exact trip.

The West Fork River at River Bend City Park in Clarksburg, West Virginia.
West Fork River at Clarksburg; same-river contextPhoto by Wikimedia Commons contributor
Wikimedia Commons: CC BY-SA 2.5

Sources

Data and sources

Read the access and hazard notes and check the linked guides. We do not issue a daily score for this trip.

NotesWhat to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Named route corridorGood Hope Public Access to West Milford Public Access; 6 mi

    Guardians of the West Fork names the six-mile float and identifies Good Hope behind Hawks Nest Convenience Store as the public launch; its festival and cleanup materials identify West Milford Public Access/Island Park as the take-out.

    Source

  • Public access coordinatesGood Hope 39.176407,-80.437942 to West Milford 39.19845,-80.40611

    Guardians publishes the Good Hope GPS coordinate; the Float the Fork festival listing publishes the West Milford endpoint GPS. Confirm carry paths, parking, and event or maintenance closures before staging.

    Source

  • GaugeUSGS 03058975 discharge telemetry

    Official same-river gauge used for the route planning screen; verify current value and trend before launch.

    Source

Verify it yourselfCheck the source links

Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.

Reports

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Keep exploring

More routes to check next

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Quick answers

West Fork River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Good Hope Public Access to West Milford Public Access route on the West Fork River?

This planning route has no live Paddle Today score. Review the linked water-level sources, current access notices and route-specific hazards before travel.

Where does the Good Hope Public Access to West Milford Public Access route on the West Fork River start and end?

This route starts at Good Hope Public Access Site behind Hawks Nest Convenience Store and ends at West Milford Public Access / Island Park, 6 mi on the water.

Is the Good Hope Public Access to West Milford Public Access route on the West Fork River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a easy route. Review the difficulty notes, hazards and current access conditions against your group's skills. No live score assesses this trip.

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