Vinton County Park District Manages Moonville Rail Trail, Tunnel; Holds Monthly Meetings

The Vinton County Park District manages the Moonville Rail Trail and the brick-lined Moonville Tunnel, a National Register-listed site that draws local visitors and tourists for hiking, horseback riding, and guided events. The district’s headquarters is at 600 S. Market St., McArthur, and the Board of Park Commissioners holds monthly meetings, typically the first Thursday at 10 a.m., where policy, permits, and trail priorities are discussed.

Official materials state that “There are approximately 10 miles of flat, linear trail for hikers, equestrians, and muscle-powered transportation.” Promotional and regional materials describe the corridor differently, noting that “The 16-mile Moonville Rail Trail takes visitors through the beautiful woodlands of southeast Ohio,” and that the rail-trail is a “work-in-progress” with a rugged surface and some steep inclines. The discrepancy between 10 miles and 16 miles appears in public sources; residents and riders should expect sections that are developed and maintained alongside connectors or planned segments that remain unfinished.

Access rules are clear: “The trail and its tunnels are open to the public between the hours of 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. any day of the week.” The park district also warns that “A Special Use Permit issued by the park district is required … to visit the trail or its tunnels after 11 p.m., conduct guided tours, host events, and conduct other public activities.” The Moonville Rail Trail Association, a local nonprofit, provides maintenance services and has installed wooden trestles above Hewett Fork; the association’s website and Visit Vinton resources make maps and brochures available for download.

Two distinctive tunnels anchor the route. Moonville Tunnel in Zaleski was “built for the Marietta and Cincinnati Railroad in the 1850s,” is brick-lined, and carries a long history of train incidents and ghost lore; promotional copy adds that “Legends tell it is haunted by the ghost of an engineer killed in the early 1880s.” King’s Hollow Tunnel, also called King Switch Tunnel, “is a 120-foot structure carved through the rock and lined by a series of 12×12 wooden beams.” Trailheads are listed at Zaleski, Mineral, Hope Schoolhouse, Moonville Tunnel, and King Hollow Tunnel.

Night hikes and paranormal investigations are offered by folklorist Jannette Quackenbush, with events described as relaxed out-and-back walks that end with hands-on investigations using ghost-hunting tools. Event pages list Fridays or Saturdays throughout the year and require registration; organizers and participants are responsible for ensuring permitted activities comply with park district rules, especially when events run into late evening hours.

Beyond recreation, the park district has outlined conservation and expansion goals. Officials plan to arrange agreements with townships and Vinton County to make offroad-friendly trail systems, to acquire unused railroad corridors to link McArthur with neighboring villages, and to seek two park properties in every township. The district also plans to “work with Ohio Department of Natural Resources on a plan to reintroduce elk into the state, which will attract nonresident hunters while restoring a native species.”

For Vinton County residents, the immediate implications are practical: follow posted hours, check trail maps before you go, and note that guided events may require permits. The park board’s monthly meetings at the McArthur headquarters will be where neighbors can track bridge repairs, trail expansion, and permit policies that affect public access and local tourism.