At a Glance
Petersburg sits at the eastern edge of the Monongahela National Forest, where the South Branch of the Potomac River cuts through the Allegheny Front between Smoke Hole Canyon and Dolly Sods Wilderness. Visitors can ride the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad through the Trough, paddle from Big Bend Campground, or tackle the challenging 22-mile North Fork Mountain Trail for ridge-top views. Downtown Petersburg offers local dining and lodging within minutes of Seneca Rocks climbing, North Fork Valley trails, and some of the state’s most dramatic limestone gorges and high-country plateaus.
Places to Play
Itineraries
Stay
After a day outdoors, refuel at local restaurants, pizza shops, and cafés, then settle in for the night at a historic downtown hotel, riverside lodge, or cozy cabin surrounded by mountain views.
History
Petersburg began as a small settlement along the South Branch of the Potomac River, where fertile bottomland, natural river crossings, and frontier trade routes at the edge of the imposing Allegheny Front attracted early pioneers in the late 18th century. During the Civil War, its strategic location made the area a contested site, with nearby fortifications and troop movements trading hands several times throughout the conflict, leaving a lasting imprint on the surrounding landscape. Officially incorporated in 1910, Petersburg grew into a commercial center for agriculture, timber, and later poultry operations, anchoring economic activity in Grant County. The arrival of the railroad strengthened its role as a shipping and supply hub, linking farms, forests, and small mountain communities to broader markets. Today, Petersburg serves as a gateway to the highlands and waterways of eastern West Virginia, blending its frontier heritage with renewed interest in outdoor recreation, small business development, and community revitalization.
Petersburg, W. Va., 1909. Duez, Richard. West Virginia and Regional History Collection, West Virginia University Libraries.
Did you know?
Going for Gold
Petersburg is known as the “Home of the Golden Trout,” a unique rainbow trout variant that emerged from a local hatchery in the 1950s.
Riding the Wave
Petersburg is a hot spot for pilots and gliders due to a powerful early spring updraft known as the “Petersburg Wave” that follows the Allegheny Front
Valley Views
Just outside Petersburg stands Fort Mulligan, a well-preserved Civil War entrenchment that offered both Union and Confederate soldiers commanding views of the railroad.
