Shavers Fork Wilfong Preserve

Best trout fishing in the state!

This preserve is an undeveloped property that offers public access for fishing, hiking, and rock-hopping along the Shavers Fork.

Location & Access

PLEASE keep these items in mind when visiting:

  • Foot traffic only
  • Day use only
  • Pack it in, pack it out
  • Respect all plants and wildlife
  • Keep pets on a leash or under voice command
  • Clean up after pets
  • Take only pictures, leave only footprints

Special reminders: Cell phone service is not guaranteed. Be safe and prepared.


There are no restroom facilities on site.

Located between Elkins and Parsons, the Shavers Fork Wilfong Preserve offers a relaxing destination for people seeking a day of mountain solitude, as well as for those chasing some of the best trout fishing in West Virginia.

Conserving land along rivers protects water quality for humans and wildlife. Surrounded by the Monongahela National Forest, this 113-acre preserve protects 1.5 miles along a wild and remote stretch of Shavers Fork of the Cheat River in Randolph County. Known for its high-quality trout waters and outstanding scenery, Shavers Fork is the mainstem tributary of the Cheat River, which is considered one of the longest remaining free-flowing rivers in the eastern United States.

 

Who are the Wilfongs?

Siblings Richard Wilfong and Sandra Wilfong Smith donated a legacy to all West Virginians by conserving their family’s land along the iconic Shavers Fork of the Cheat River in Randolph County. The113-acre forested landscape where Shavers Fork cuts its path through a scenic corridor of the Appalachian Mountains had been in their family for generations. Conserving the natural beauty of this special place and honoring their family’s legacy is the ultimate gift to future generations.

Working alongside the Wilfong family, WVLT acquired the Shavers Fork Wilfong Preserve with assistance from the West Virginia Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund (OHCF), a program created by the West Virginia Legislature “to invest in the conservation of unique and important wildlife habitats, natural areas, forest lands, farmlands, and lands for hunting, fishing and recreation.

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