Few motorists traveling the West Virginia Turnpike between Beckley and Charleston know that one of the state’s most beautiful trout streams, Paint Creek, lies hidden in the mountain forests along the way.
Named for ancient trees once painted blood-red by Native American warriors, Paint Creek is becoming a popular destination for fishing, paddling, and back-road travel. Despite its accessibility, the rocky stream with waterfalls and laurel glens remains relatively unknown, though state and local officials are working on managing its growth.
William Hughes, mayor of Pax, a town Paint Creek flows through, advocates for careful development along the stream. “Pax is known for its trout stream, which is a unique feature,” Hughes says. “People have always come to Pax to fish.”
Photographer Molly Wolff, who lives near Oak Hill in Scarbro, has started kayaking Paint Creek and appreciates it even more. “Paint Creek is one of our favorite family spots. We enjoy the falls, throwing rocks, and exploring,” Wolff said. She recently paddled 15 miles of the creek, experiencing beautiful rock walls, giant boulders, and Class-III whitewater.
Anglers often fish Paint Creek during their commutes. Curtis Massie of Fayetteville stops to fish on his way home from Charleston. “I often take this route instead of the turnpike,” Massie says. “There are many excellent trout-fishing spots here.”
Mark T. Scott, assistant chief of fisheries for the state Division of Natural Resources, says Paint Creek is among the best trout streams in the state. “Parts of the stream hold trout year-round, and it’s an amazing stream,” Scott said. The stream is stocked several times from February to May, and its catch-and-release section is stocked annually.
Jim Reed, a retired state fisheries biologist, credits the creek’s health to residents and state organizations who cleaned and maintained it. In the 1970s, the creek was heavily polluted with mine drainage, but efforts to remove waste, improve fish habitat, and remediate acid mine drainage have transformed it.
Picnic areas, walking trails, and historic markers have been established along the creek. An audio driving tour is available for motorists to download and play based on GPS locations.
Reed hopes economic development initiatives like gift shops, cabins, campgrounds, restaurants, and tourist attractions will succeed along the route. “If a business could attract just one percent of the traffic from the turnpike, it would thrive,” he said, referring to the 30,000 vehicles that travel the turnpike daily between Beckley and Charleston.
The backroad route along Paint Creek is popular with bikers, cyclists, and motorists seeking an alternative to the turnpike. For more information, contact the New River Gorge Convention and Visitors Bureau.