Tea Creek Trail System

The Tea Creek Area offers 44 miles of backcountry trails, managed for nonmotorized recreation activities. The trail system provides access for fishing, hunting, and backpacking throughout the Tea Creek Area. The trails are best suited for hiking, although several trails are popular mountain bike routes. Many of these trails follow the routes of historic logging roads, constructed in the early 1900s. Rails and ties were removed long ago from these grades, so these routes are now scenic paths through these beautiful mountains. As trails reach lower elevations, they follow and cross streams within the Tea Creek watershed. Along these trails, visitors will see a variety of forest cover consisting of maple, beech, birch, oak, hickory, red spruce, and pine, with a scattered dense understory of rhododendron.

Highlighted Trails

Tea Creek Trail (TR 454)

The 6.8 mile Tea Creek Trail travels from Tea Creek Campground to the top of Gauley Mountain. The Forks of Tea Creek, a scenic swimming hole, can be found along the trail. Near this point the trail crosses the Right Fork of Tea Creek, and begins a one and one-half mile section with a dozen stream crossings. There are approximately 12 fords and no bridges. There are camping shelters new Forks of Tea Creek and the end of the trail.

Tea Creek Interpretive Trail

This 0.6 mile trail helps the visitor understand the ecology of mountain meadows and wetlands. The trail travels through Tea Creek Meadow on a gravel path, and then descends to a boardwalk that meanders through a small wetland and beaver pond. Interpretive signing and rest benches are found along the way.

Tea Creek Mountain Trail (TR 452)

This 4.3 miles of narrow path climbs Tea Creek Mountain and is popular with expert mountain bike riders. The trail gains over 1,500’ elevation with a few nice views along the way. Begin at the trailhead on the Highland Scenic Highway, with a vigorous climb to the top of the mountain, elevation 4,541’. The last mile and a half descends to the Williams River Trail, which returns to Tea Creek Campground.

The Williams River Trail (TR 487)

This trail begins at Tea Creek Campground, and follows the scenic Williams River for 2.7 miles the entire way. The trail follows an old logging railroad grade, which makes for an easy bike ride, and provides easy access for anglers.

Gauley Mountain Trail (TR 438)

The Gauley Trail is a 5.0 mile all-purpose trail ideal for mountain biking and hiking. The first stretch of the trail (leaving from the Highland Scenic Highway trailhead) has some wet areas with two small footbridge crossing the wettest places. The trail intersects the Right Fork Connector 0.4 mile from the trailhead and passes the Red Run Trail intersection at 2.5 miles; the Bear Pen Trail at 3.5 miles; and the Gauley-Tea Connector at 4.0 miles.

Red Spruce Knob Trail (TR 451)

This short, 1.2 mile trail takes you to the highest point on the District. Once a location for a fire tower, the area is now a dense red spruce forest with a view only towards the east.

Additional Resources

Tea Creek Trail Brochure and Trail Information

Tea Creek Trail System Map

At a Glance