Is Clinton Furnace safe?
Morgantown, West Virginia · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Clinton Furnace as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Clinton Furnace
“Go. Clinton Furnace is a peaceful, sparsely populated rural enclave south of Morgantown with very low violent crime. Visitors primarily come for scenic country drives, outdoor quiet, or to explore local history rather than urban nightlife. Standard precautions should be focused on safe driving along winding, unlit backroads.”
About the area
Clinton Furnace is a quiet, heavily wooded rural community located along Booths Creek in southeastern Monongalia County. The area is defined by rolling Appalachian hills, large residential parcels, and historical 19th-century iron production remnants. It offers a calm, secluded atmosphere with virtually no commercial congestion.
- Rural / Wooded
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet / Peaceful
- Historic Ruins
Walking and biking in Clinton Furnace
Walk score: 8/100 · Bike score: 18/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes or municipal bike-share stations; experienced road cyclists use the hilly roads, but narrow shoulders and blind turns require significant caution.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Exceptionally low rates of violent and opportunistic property crime compared to urban Morgantown
- High rate of homeownership fostering a stable, tight-knit residential community
- Tranquil natural environment with scenic woods and minimal vehicle congestion
Cons
- Total car dependency with no walkable retail, dining, or pedestrian sidewalks
- Narrow, unlit country roads present driving hazards, especially in winter or during deer crossings
- Longer response times for emergency medical and police services due to rural geography
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not an issue in Clinton Furnace, as shelters, emergency housing, and social services are located closer to downtown Morgantown.
What Clinton Furnace is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Crisp and quiet with light commuter traffic trickling out toward Morgantown along the main roads.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very peaceful with occasional delivery trucks and local drivers navigating the two-lane routes.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet settles quickly across the hollows as residents return home, offering very dark and clear skies.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Pitch-black and virtually deserted, requiring high-beam vigilance for deer and wildlife on unlit roads.
Transit, parking and getting around
Mountain Line Transit Authority (MLTA) does not provide fixed-route bus service to this rural area; personal vehicle ownership or private ride-hail is essential.
Parking is exclusively free on private properties and driveways, with no meters, parking garages, or permit zones in effect.
Things to do in Clinton Furnace
- Visit the historic stone ruins of the 1846 Clinton Furnace blast furnace off Clinton Furnace Road
- Take a scenic driving or motorcycling tour along the winding backroads connecting to Route 119
- Enjoy outdoor photography, birdwatching, and fishing along nearby tributaries of Booths Creek
Local favorites
- Smokin' Jacks · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.6★ (460)A popular roadside smokehouse on Route 119 serving hearty brisket, pulled pork, and traditional sides.
- Triple S Harley-Davidson · Motorcycle Dealer & Event Hub · 4.7★ (1250)A massive regional motorcycle dealership hosting community gatherings, rides, and apparel shopping.
- Tee Bonez Tavern · Bar & Grill · 4.4★ (260)A relaxed local gathering spot serving cold drinks, burgers, and pub grub just off the main connector.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.