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Looking for a day trip in northern West Virginia with beautifully curated gardens, well-maintained trails, freshwater streams, and bird-filled wetlands?
West Virginia Botanic Garden in Morgantown is a wonderful dog-friendly day trip with it all! Plus, this gem gets even better with good weather!
History and Location
West Virginia Botanic Garden at Tibbs Run Preserve is located at 1061 Tyrone Road in Morgantown, just an hour and a half south of Pittsburgh.
The Garden is situated on the former Tibbs Run Reservoir, Morgantown’s original water source before being drained in 1980.
You’ll find historical signage throughout the park telling the story of the Reservoir. You can also read an in-depth article about it here.
The Garden began to grow in 1983 with the efforts of founder and West Virginia University professor George Longanecker. It officially opened to the public in June 2000.
The paved roads and trails were recently updated in 2023, and a new Visitors Center sits at the entrance.
Construction is being completed on an event center called The Terrace at Tibbs Run, featuring a Celebration Garden. If you are looking to host a wedding or other fancy event, you can find more information on their rentals here.
An Education Center in the lower area serves as a base for the programs, camps, and field trips they host throughout the year. You can see their Upcoming Events here.
The Education Center also has public restrooms and a dog water bowl accessible from the lower level.
Exploring and Hiking
While our visit happened in late winter before anything even had a chance to bloom, we appreciated the relaxing environment on the trails at West Virginia Botanic Garden.
Two parking lots are available for day-trippers, with spaces at the Visitors Center and more just down the hill before the Education Center.
We chose to park at the entrance, and Hazel led the way.
The new path from the Visitors Center is wide and even, making it an easy stroll to the marked trails.
Once you hit the Information Kiosk, you are already close to the Butterfly, Secret, and Yagle Gardens.
As I mentioned, we were so excited to visit the West Virginia Botanic Gardens on a rare, gorgeous late winter day. Unfortunately at this time of year, we didn’t find much in the way of colorful gardens.
BUT, we did find some fun features to explore with the dogs!
Once you’re in the main Garden area, the two sections of trails are split down the middle by Jones Run.
On the right hand side of the map, you’ll find Reservoir Loop (white), Pixie Cup Trail (red), and Pond View Trail (light brown). These total around a mile and a half to two miles.
Reservoir Loop is primarily flat and wide, with benches and historic signs, while Pixie Cup dips into the Reservoir Basin.
Bird watching blinds on Pixie Cup Trail allow visitors to check out the birds without the birds seeing them.
And what birds might you see?
There’s a sign for that!
A little over halfway around Reservoir Loop, you’ll find a bridge leading over Jones Run to the Woodland Trails (left side of map above).
The Woodland Trails are more woodsy and winding than on the Reservoir side.
These more traditional trails include Mine Pit, Farside, Tibbs Crossing, Forest Loop, and Wetland Loop Trails. These trails combine to cover around 4 to 5 miles.
Farside and Tibbs Crossing Trails traverse Tibbs Run, a cool, clear creek with a sandy bottom.
Along the trails, there are several zero entry points to Tibbs Run your dogs can take advantage of.
Franklin and Hazel were fans!
All of the Woodlands Trails connect, so you can create your own loop using a number of different options.
We attempted to follow the outside edges, so eventually we came upon Wetland Loop Trail. Either way you approach it, you’ll want to take a walk along the Wetland Boardwalk.
On the Wetland Boardwalk, you can peer over into the swampy marsh to catch whatever wildlife happens to make itself visible that day.
It’s also another great spot for bird watching before making your way back to where you started.
Wildlife and Fungi
You can hear birds chirping all over the park, and for good reason! Over 13 types are typically spotted here- from the indigo bunting to red-tailed hawks.
You can also hear frogs- lots of frogs!
While strolling the Wetland Boardwalk, we snapped this pic- can you see the floating frogs?!
In addition, the Garden shares that common wildlife also spotted here include turtles, snakes, and salamanders.
And Franklin boasts our first fungi find of the season along the Farside Trail!
PIT STOP!
If you have time to fit in a whole weekend near Morgantown, we have a great trip report for nearby Coopers Rock State Forest.
It includes a pit stop you never want to leave out of your plan while in West Virginia: Almost Heaven Desserts.
The Last Word
Daytripping with your dogs at West Virginia Botanic Garden – even during the off season – is a great way to hike the day away in a serene setting.
We’re excited to return when the Garden is in bloom! Happy Spring!
