At a Glance
Once a booming railroad town, Cowen sits at the Monongahela National Forest’s western edge, serving as a basecamp for anglers and backcountry explorers. Big Ditch Lake offers waterside trails and warmwater fishing, while nearby streams provide trout fishing access into the Cranberry Wilderness. Mountain bikers can ride Cowen’s downtown stacked-loop trail system or venture to remote routes at Bishops Knob Campground, with the Williams River corridor and Tea Creek trail networks within easy reach. The Williams River Scenic Backway, Highland Scenic Highway, and Hacker Valley’s Mountain Parkway converge near town, making Cowen a hub for scenic drives through the Allegheny highlands.
Places to Play
Itineraries
Stay in Cowen
In this friendly mountain town, hearty meals and hometown hospitality come easy. Enjoy a meal at a classic diner after a day exploring the Williams River or Bishops Knob Backcountry, then rest up at a rustic cabin rental or peaceful campground just minutes from downtown.
History of Cowen
Cowen began as a remote mountain settlement along the Gauley River, where rugged terrain and limited access kept the area sparsely populated well into the 19th century. Its transformation came with the arrival of the railroad and the timber industry, which turned Cowen into a bustling lumber and transportation hub supporting logging operations throughout the surrounding forest. Named for Joel Cowen, a prominent Baltimore businessman connected to the rail line, the town grew quickly with mills, company stores, and worker housing that brought new life and new challenges to the region. For a time, Cowen supported a thriving economy and served as a key shipping point for timber and agricultural products moving eastward. As the timber boom faded, the town endured lean years, but its proximity to the Monongahela National Forest and the Williams River has positioned it for a new era centered on outdoor recreation, community pride, and small-town resilience.
Hilltop View of Cowen, W. Va., ca. 1908. Romano, Mark. West Virginia and Regional History Collection, West Virginia University Libraries.
Did you know?
Circus Shootout
In 1905, an argument between Buffalo Bill circus performers and B&O Railroad police led to a real Wild West shootout on a crowded train
Next Stop, Normandy
Cowen’s historic train depot was the last stop for West Virginia’s new recruits before bootcamp throughout both World Wars
Wild Webster
Feeling forgotten by both the North and South, Webster County once declared itself a free state in the early days of the American Civil War.
