FOC has an opportunity to purchase “The Caves” Cheat River Public Access along the Cheat Narrows
Annually, Friends of the Cheat raises funds to maintain safe access to the Cheat Canyon and Big Sandy take-out in Jenkinsburg, the Rockville area access road and parking lot. Our sustained efforts have resulted in the West Virginia Department of Highways making additional major improvements to Masontown and Bruceton Mills access roads this year. The roads are in the best condition they have been in years, and we are pleased that WVDOH will resume responsibility and maintenance for the foreseeable future.
We now have an exciting and urgent opportunity to secure a key property along the Cheat River Narrows: “The Caves/YaYa’s Landing” Public Access Point.
FOC’s 2025 Whitewater Access Campaign seeks to raise $20K to purchase the property.
This property is vital for protecting public river access at “The Caves” put-in, an access site long used by private boaters and commercial outfitters, serving as the low water put-in below Rowlesburg. This purchase would enable FOC to pursue funding and grants to increase parking, improve the river access, and install traffic calming measures to improve safety along this section of Route 72.
“The Caves” Put-In is 1.1 miles up-river from the “Driveway” Put-In, and adds 3 rapids to a Cheat Narrows paddle.
Paddlers familiar with this section of the Narrows know how stressful it can be when unloading boats and humans along the narrow scenic byway.
In 2023, FOC began working with long-time FOC supporters, Arkley Forestlands LLC, on a plan that would result in the donation of the Caves property, with the option of purchasing the property adjacent.
Our success in purchasing this important property is only possible by donors like YOU. Every donation counts. A $100 donation renews your FOC membership; $300 grants you Cheat Fest VIP status for 2025.
“Arkley Forestlands is hopeful that working with FOC will provide safe access for the river community in this area” – Guy Alan Clark
The donation of property from Arkley Forestlands LLC was finalized in early March, 2025. In honor of the family’s mother, the access site will also be known as “YaYa’s Landing.” FOC is grateful for the generosity and continued support from Arkley Forestlands LLC and the Clark family.
FOC is committed to improving this prized section of river over the next few years to make it one of the more user-friendly access points in West Virginia.
Jenkinsburg Bridge update
On March 18th, WV DOT installed barricades at both ends of the Bull Run Bridge. The news spread fast across social media and was picked up by regional news outlets. On March 19th, a statement was posted to the WV DOT website explaining that the bridge failed its annual inspection and that it is unsafe for all vehicular traffic.
The Masontown VFD currently serves the Bull Run/Jenkinsburg area which is now effectively inaccessible due to the bridge closure. Local fire departments and emergency responders are aware of the closure and are meeting this week to coordinate response. If you are in the Bull Run/Jenkinsburg area and need emergency services, dial 911.
FOC is actively gathering information and working with allies to understand the situation and coordinate an advocacy campaign. If you are interested in the Bull Run Bridge, for any reason – paddling access, ATV use, historic and cultural significance – and want to be kept in the loop on this developing campaign, follow this link to signup for updates and potential Calls to Action.
History of FOC Whitewater Access Campaign
For the past 19 years, Friends of the Cheat has developed and maintained access to the Cheat Canyon and Big Sandy Rivers in Albright, Rockville, and Jenkinsburg through our Whitewater Access program.
In 2006, Friends of the Cheat partnered with American Whitewater to lease the Jenkinsburg Access for 25 Years. We then raised $25,000 and arranged for a $15,000 match from the West Virginia DEP. We are now working closely with the West Virginia Land Trust, which took ownership of the land last Fall. In 2007, FOC partnered with Chesapeake Energy, who donated the land that was to become the Rockville Access on the Big Sandy. After a land swap with Allegheny Wood Products, the parking lot was improved.
In 2009, FOC began a decade-long project to stabilize and maintain the Rockville and Jenkinsburg Shuttle Roads. With state highway budgets cut to the bone, roads like this are simply ignored. The Whitewater Access Campaign is a long-term project We’ve raised over $170,000 to improve parking and maintain the roads used by river runners and hikers thanks to the generosity of hundreds of Cheat River Lovers just like you!
The Rockville Bridge remains closed after being shut down by DOH in August of 2020. Paddlers can use the road on the Valley Point side to reach the river left access point – but fair warning – the road is in bad shape and only high clearance vehicles clearing should attempt it. The put-in there is on private property, so please respect the landowners and don’t park in front of the house at the bottom left. The river right access from the Pisgah side (ideal for the Upper Big Sandy) is in better condition, and goes straight to the newly improved FOC access point.
In 2020, the West Virginia Land Trust (WVLT) acquired the Jenkinsburg Recreation Area, securing and protecting it for future river and trail public access. FOC will continue to manage the area in partnership with WVLT – and assist in future improvements.