Where to Roam, Ride, Rest, and Refuel in this Adventure Lover’s Paradise
If you enjoy hiking, mountain biking, camping, paddling, wildlife watching, walking in the woods, or doing just about anything outdoors, a county nicknamed “Nature’s Mountain Playground” in West Virginia is calling your name. Located in the Allegheny Mountains of Appalachia, Pocahontas County is a haven for those who love to adventure and spend time in nature.
This region of the Mountain State is home to all types of adventures, from double black mountain biking trails, to scenic drives, to family-friendly hiking trails, to one of the most iconic accommodations in the country which is why Pocahontas County is truly one of the best destinations for outdoor recreation East of the Mississippi. Between the Monongahela National Forest, five state parks and two state forests, 60% of Pocahontas County is made up of public lands!
We’ve visited the area in both summer and fall, and something about this place keeps calling us back. Maybe it’s the friendly locals, or the insane amount of forested green space, or the region’s way of forcing us to slow down. Regardless of the reason, we’ve fallen in love, and we have no doubt that with one visit, you will too. We’re so excited to team up with Pocahontas County CVB and the West Virginia Department of Tourism to show you where to eat, stay, and play in Nature’s Mountain Playground in hopes that our recommendations will help you to have as much fun in “Almost Heaven” as we did.
Unmissable Adventures in Nature’s Mountain Playground
Mountain Bike in the Mountain State
Whether you’re an expert mountain biker or enjoy riding flat, scenic trails, this region is home to one of the most extensive trail systems in the Eastern United States and truly offers something for every skill level. From the downhill and backcountry trails of Snowshoe Mountain to the technical and scenic systems throughout the region’s State and National Forests, you’d be dreaming if you thought you could somehow ride all 375 miles in just one visit; but you can try!
If you’d rather take a leisurely ride, you can rent bikes or e-bikes right in Marlinton from Greenbrier Bikes or in Seebert (between Hillsboro and Watoga) from Jack Horner’s Corner and hop on the Greenbriar River Trail (GRT). This former railroad trail is one of 50 Millennium Legacy Trails in the United States, and offers 78 miles of beautiful views along the Greenbrier River. We rode about 19 miles from Marlinton to Sharp’s Railroad Tunnel and back, and the e-bikes we rented came in clutch to help us cover so much ground!
Hike to Heavenly Views
Beartown State Park: A walk along Beartown’s Boardwalk trail will allow you to travel back in time as you traverse boardwalks set among 300 million-year-old towering sandstone rock formations. The boardwalk is only about half a mile, but we spent over an hour wandering around in awe of the massive moss-covered boulders and taking photos (quite literally) every step of the way.
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park: This state park is a must-visit for history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts alike as it offers a chance to explore the site of one of the most significant Civil War battles in the state and hike along the park’s trails to stunning overlooks of the Greenbrier Valley. The park’s observation tower gives an incredible panoramic view, perfect for photos or just taking in the natural beauty. You’ll also find one of WV’s Almost Heaven swings here!
Gaudineer Scenic Area: A hike or drive up to Gaudineer Knob will lead you through a moss-covered, old-growth forest that is home to 300+ year-old towering trees with trunks measuring up to 40 inches in diameter. The loop trail will only take you about 10 minutes to complete, and the overlook that you’ll find halfway through your walk provides a beautiful view, especially at sunset. There are also several picnic tables situated in little groves throughout the trail that are the ideal spot to stop for a snack.
Watoga State Park: Boasting the title of the state’s largest state park, Watoga is home to over 10,000 acres of pristine forest with hiking trails that weave throughout. For water lovers, Watoga Lake is perfect for fishing (stocked by the DNR), boating and kayaking. We personally loved hiking Jesse’s Cove Trail to the Ann Bailey Lookout Tower. We made a loop of the two trails and clocked in about 5.5 miles and 1,000 feet of elevation on this trek. About halfway through the hike (when hiked as a loop with Ann Bailey), there is an outhouse and more importantly, an original pioneer cabin that you can actually go inside and explore.
Watoga means “starry waters” in Cherokee, and the park received its official Dark Sky Park status a few years ago. So if you’re looking to stargaze during your trip, the park offers cozy cabins, RV, and tent campsites available to reserve overnight.
Cranberry Glades Botanical Area: This 750 acre preserve protects the largest area of bogs in West Virginia, and its fully-accessible boardwalk that winds through the glades is a must-see! The bogs here are home to cranberries, carnivorous pitcher plants, and other flora that are typically only found in Canada’s Artic Tundra, but can survive in WV’s Monongahela National Forest due to the elevation and acidic soil. The area is beautiful year round– when we were there in June, the boardwalk trail was covered with colorful wildflowers, and in late September, the glades turn a vibrant red color!
Seneca State Forest: When we stayed at Thorny Mountain Fire Tower, we rented a boat and went out first thing in the morning before the mist burned off of the lake and it was absolutely beautiful. Along with water and hiking fun, there is also some great mountain biking trails to explore in Seneca State Forest. We took a little trek up Section 3 of The Allegheny Trail starting at Laurel Run Road and rode our bikes back down the 2-mile single track colloquially called 2-mile Smile or “the Racetrack”.
Snowshoe Fire Tower: When we learned that there was a 60-foot fire tower on Snowshoe Mountain, there was no question on whether or not we were going to add one more hike to our itinerary and climb this fire tower to watch the sunset on our last night in town. The trail isn’t on AllTrails, nor is it well-marked, so you’ll have to check the map on Snowshoe Mountain’s website before heading out. You also won’t have cell service, so make sure you have a screenshot or offline copy downloaded.
Chase Waterfalls
The trio of waterfalls that make up the Falls of Hills Creek are hands down our favorites in the area. They can be accessed via a 1.4 mile moderately-rated trail, but if you want to chase them, you’ll have to work a little bit (read: gain 265 feet in elevation by walking down and back up a series of stairs and switchbacks). The falls get better and better as you traverse the trail, as each of the three falls is taller than the one before. The third fall, standing at just over 60 feet, boasts the title of “being the second-tallest waterfall in the state”. The Falls of Hills Creek are located within the Monongahela National Forest, near both Droop State Park and Cranberry Glades Botanical Area, so we recommend pairing your time here with either (or both) of these neighboring parks.
Explore More Note-Worthy Attractions
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park: The main attraction of this park is its historic steam-powered train rides that take you on a scenic journey up the mountain, offering stunning views of West Virginia’s beautiful, almost heavenly landscapes. As the train chugs along, you’ll experience the same routes used by lumber companies in the early 1900s while on an authentic, vintage locomotive.
Beyond taking a train ride, you can explore the preserved company town of Cass, where you’ll find historic buildings, a museum, and gift shops. For an overnight stay, the renovated company houses offer a unique lodging experience (more on this below).
Green Bank Observatory: Here you can check out the world’s largest fully steerable radio telescope at a center that boasts the titles of being the first national astronomy observatory, and the first national laboratory open to all scientists worldwide. We had a blast wandering around the on-site trails and checking out all of the interactive exhibits in the science center as well.
Where to Eat (Read: Refuel After Adventuring)
Cafés
Dirtbean Café, Marlinton: This cafe meets full-service bike shop is located right in town, and is one of our favorite places to grab some food, caffeinate, and get some work done. In addition to super tasty food, and coffee drinks, they also offer WiFi as well as mountain bike rentals. Rivertown Café in Marlinton is another favorite of ours. This hardware store turned cafe/art gallery/yoga store/music venue serves up delicious sandwiches, pizzas, and specialty drinks. We went on a Friday night to enjoy some live music and drinks and then returned the next morning before putting some miles in on the Greenbriar River Trail, and when we say their breakfast sandwiches hit the spot, we mean it! We also really enjoyed Snowshoe Hare, in Slaty Fork (right outside of Snowshoe), and The Levels Depot, located just North of Hillsboro on Route 219.
Restaurants
Kickin’ Chicken, Slaty Fork: Open seasonally, this spot serves up delicious (you guessed it) chicken that’s available to eat in their restaurant just outside of Snowshoe, or take to-go. Aside from chicken, they can also whip you up a burger or pizza in case you aren’t in the mood for poultry.
Jack Horner’s Corner, Watoga: Located between Watoga State Park and Hillsboro, this spot offers souvenirs, convenience items, pizza, subs, BBQ, and soft-serve ice cream. They also offer kayak and bicycle rentals for the Greenbrier River and Greenbrier River Trail. We stopped here on our way to Thorny Mountain Fire Tower to grab lunch and pick up some essentials– chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows to make s’mores and popcorn to cook over the fire.
Shay’s Restaurant, Cass: A visit to Cass Scenic Railroad State Park isn’t complete without a stop at Shay’s. Located next to the Cass Country Store, Shay’s is the place to get a made-from-scratch, homestyle meal. And for those with a sweet tooth, follow it with dessert from their old-time soda fountain.
Dean’s Den, Marlinton: This diner-style restaurant serves up comfort food but also knows its way around some more complicated dishes. The steak mac & cheese was a solid choice after burning an obscene amount of calories while adventuring all day but the chicken Marsala was a close second. The spinach and artichoke dip with homemade tortilla chips is a must as well. Aside from the food, the service was so pleasant, the combination of good food and friendly atmosphere made us feel like family/regulars despite being our first visit.
Bars/Breweries
Old Spruce Brewing, Snowshoe: What could be better than a brewery right outside of what is often called West Virginia’s best ski resort. We hiked some back country trails around Snowshoe and when it came time to refuel we were happy to pair our rice bowls with some delicious brews as well. We tried a few different beers between the two of us and each one of them got two thumbs up so it’s safe to say they know how to make some suds.
Old Mountain Tavern, Marlinton: We stopped in at this Marlinton institution to unwind after a long day and were met by the most welcoming locals (both patrons and staff). From craft beer, to craft cocktails, to pub fare you can’t go wrong with a visit and if you go on a weekend you may even catch some live music!
Where to Stay in Pocahontas County, WV
Thorny Mountain Fire Tower, Seneca State Forest
A reservation at Thorny Mountain Fire Tower (pictured above) will grant you access (and bragging rights) to a night in the only fire tower available to book for overnight stays East of the Mississippi and has been named by National Geographic as one of the top 10 places to “embrace the wild without pitching a tent.” Situated 65 feet in the air within the lush woodlands of West Virginia’s oldest and second largest state forest, the Thorny Mountain Fire Tower offers sweeping views of the Appalachian Mountains, Greenbrier Valley, and Seneca State Forest, as well as prime opportunities for stargazing. Note: This unique spot often books out a year in advance, so if you’re looking to visit next fall, start planning now! To make a reservation, call 304-799-6213 or 1-800-CALL-WVA.
Cass Company Houses
Staying in a Cass Company House is like stepping back in time to the area’s 20th century logging era. These charming homes, once occupied by lumber executives and workers, are now open to the public and can accommodate anywhere from one to 14 people, so you can seamlessly shack up solo or bring the whole family along for a fun weekend in Cass. It’s the perfect space to imagine what life could have been like in the early 1900’s as lumber production ruled the area, but at the same time the best place to disconnect and relax knowing you’re on vacation and won’t be out in the wilderness felling trees for a paycheck.
Country River Cabins, Marlinton
If you’re looking to base yourself near Marlinton, but want to stay a bit off the beaten path, Country River Cabins (pictured top left) is the stay for you. These charming, rustic cabins do not have cell service or WiFi, making them the perfect place to disconnect and immerse yourself in nature. The property is situated right on the Greenbrier River Trail, so you can easily get to town on your bike or by car. For more information or to book your stay, call 304-799-6948.
Cozy Cottage, Slaty Fork
This charming three-bedroom home (pictured top right) sleeps eight and is perfect for larger groups looking for a home base near Snowshoe. It has a fully equipped kitchen, two bathrooms, laundry room, spacious living room, and downstairs game room. It also boasts a beautiful yard with a large deck, hot tub, and fire pit. While this home is ideal to rent in the winter months for a weekend on the slopes, it makes for the perfect stay any time of year!
Watoga State Park
As we mentioned above, this Dark Sky Park offers a variety of accommodations from authentic CCC cabins, to luxury vacation cabins, to reservable tent and RV sites, to primitive first-come-first-serve sites. We camped two nights in one of their primitive sites, took in beautiful views of the night sky, and saw TWO sets of mama bears and cubs on our drive back down into the more popular area of the park! 10/10 would recommend!
Pocahontas County is called “Nature’s Mountain Playground” for good reason and deserves a spot on the top of your Eastern USA travel bucket list. We packed it in this time around and still feel like we have a million other things we’d love to do in the area, so whether you plan to visit for two days or two weeks, you will never be twiddling your thumbs out of boredom. There is always somewhere new to explore, something new to try, and someone who wants to excitedly chat with you about their favorite *insert trail/restaurant/activity/quirky shop/etc* here. This is our second time visiting Pocahontas County and it will certainly not be our last. The excitement of new things to do and see and experience keeps pulling us back time and time again. Until next time…
