Moonville Rail-Trail Preserves History and Boosts Outdoor Tourism

The Moonville Rail-Trail follows an abandoned Marietta & Cincinnati/B&O railroad grade for about 10 miles through southeastern Ohio, threading woodlands, wetlands and creek crossings near Lake Hope State Park and Zaleski State Forest. The mostly flat corridor is open to hikers, bicyclists and equestrians and remains popular for day hikes, history outings and nighttime walks that highlight the trail’s signature structures and local lore.

The trail’s most prominent historic feature is the brick-lined Moonville Tunnel, located in Vinton County and dating to the mid-19th century. The timber-lined King’s Hollow Tunnel, also called King Switch Tunnel, sits on the Athens County side of the corridor. Those structures anchor both the trail’s cultural significance and its appeal as a destination for visitors interested in railroad history and natural scenery.

Management of the corridor falls to the Vinton County Park District, with major maintenance and construction assistance provided by the nonprofit Moonville Rail-Trail Association. Local partners and volunteers have installed multiple bridges, repaired trail surfaces and pursued grants to restore missing bridges and improve access. Ongoing work aims to extend trail connections and explore linkage opportunities with other regional trails where feasible, steps that could broaden tourism draw and increase economic spillovers to nearby towns.

For residents and local officials, the trail functions as a low-cost public amenity that supports outdoor recreation tourism while preserving transportation heritage. Volunteer labor and grant-funded improvements reduce the public maintenance burden and channel visitor spending toward lodging, food and services in McArthur, Zaleski and Mineral. The corridor’s mix of scenic woodlands, wetlands and creekside crossings also provides wildlife viewing opportunities that enhance the area’s year-round recreation profile.

Access points include trailheads at Zaleski and Mineral and several intermediate access locations. The corridor is open during daytime hours; organizers require special-use permits for after-hours events or guided nighttime activities to balance public safety and resource protection. As improvements continue and connections are explored, the Moonville Rail-Trail is positioned to remain a community asset that links conservation, heritage preservation and modest economic development across Vinton County.