Pocahontas County, West Virginia, is a treasure trove of unique natural and historical places. Known as "Nature's Mountain Playground," here is a list of 50 unique places and points of interest, drawing from its towns, parks, historical sites, and natural features:
🏞️ Natural Wonders & Parks (20)
Monongahela National Forest: Encompasses vast portions of the county, offering endless outdoor recreation.
Watoga State Park: West Virginia's largest state park, also an International Dark Sky Park.
Cranberry Glades Botanical Area: A unique ecosystem of boreal-type bogs and rare arctic-like plants.
Falls of Hills Creek: A series of three distinct, beautiful waterfalls, including the second-tallest in the state.
Beartown State Park: Features a fascinating labyrinth of massive, moss-covered sandstone rock formations and cliffs.
Gaudineer Scenic Area (Gaudineer Knob): Home to a 50-acre remnant of old-growth virgin red spruce forest.
Greenbrier River: A key waterway for fishing, kayaking, canoeing, and tubing.
Seneca State Forest: West Virginia's oldest and largest state forest, with a rustic atmosphere.
Lake Watoga: An 11-acre lake within Watoga State Park, perfect for fishing and boating.
Highland Scenic Highway (WV Route 150): A 43-mile National Scenic Byway with four panoramic overlooks, crossing the Allegheny Highlands.
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park: Site of a pivotal Civil War battle, also an International Dark Sky Park.
Cranberry Wilderness Area: One of the largest federal wilderness areas in the eastern United U.S.
Calvin Price State Forest: A rustic forest reserve, also part of the International Dark Sky Place designation.
Blister Run Swamp: A high-altitude balsam fir swamp, recognized as a National Natural Landmark.
Shavers Mountain Spruce-Hemlock Stand: An old-growth stand of red spruce and hemlock.
Greenbrier River Rail-Trail State Park: A 78-mile long former railway line, designated a Millennium Legacy Trail.
Sharps Tunnel and Bridge: Historic railroad tunnel on the Greenbrier River Trail.
Webster Run Bridge: Another historic bridge along the Greenbrier River Trail.
Allegheny Trail: A long-distance hiking trail, with a significant 86-mile stretch winding through the county.
Bald Knob: The second-highest point in West Virginia, accessible by the Cass Scenic Railroad.
🚂 Towns & Historic Sites (15)
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park: A preserved former logging town, featuring historic steam-driven Shay locomotives.
Marlinton: The county seat, known for its location on the Greenbrier River and access to the rail trail.
Green Bank Observatory: Home to the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope, the world's largest fully steerable radio telescope, located in the National Radio Quiet Zone.
Snowshoe Mountain Resort: A major four-season resort and the highest resort in the Appalachian region.
Hillsboro: Home to the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace.
Pearl S. Buck Birthplace Museum: The preserved home of the Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning author.
Durbin: A small town and starting point for the Durbin Rocket train excursion.
Cass Historical Theater and Museum: Located in Cass, preserving the history of the company logging town.
Pocahontas County Opera House (Marlinton): A historic theatre and a venue for the arts.
Marlinton Depot: A restored historic railway depot now serving as a visitor center and trail access point.
Fort Warwick: Site of early settlements and archaeological digs, hosting traditional maple syrup demonstrations.
Howe's Leather Tannery (Frank): Former site of a significant leather tannery.
Spruce: A historic "ghost town" that was once the highest and most isolated logging town in the eastern US.
Locust Creek Covered Bridge: A picturesque, historic covered bridge.
Mountain Quest Institute: A center for creative and innovative thinking, research, and learning.
🍴 Unique Destinations & Points of Interest (15)
Snowshoe Highlands Ride Center: West Virginia's first International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) Silver-Level Ride Center.
Thorny Mountain Fire Tower (Seneca State Forest): A historic fire tower renovated for unique overnight stays.
Cranberry Mountain Nature Center: A visitor center offering interpretive programs, exhibits, and a gift shop focused on the Monongahela National Forest.
Pocahontas County Artisans Co-Op (Marlinton): Showcasing and selling work by local artists and craftspeople.
Dirtbean Café & Bike Shop (Marlinton): A local favorite combining a café, restaurant, and bicycle shop.
Greenbrier Grille and Lodge (Marlinton): A restaurant and lodge situated right on the Greenbrier River.
Jack Horner's Corner (Watoga/Hillsboro): A popular stop for food, rentals, and convenience items near Watoga State Park.
Split Rock Pools (Snowshoe): A distinctive indoor/outdoor pool and spa area at the Snowshoe resort.
The Roadkill Cookoff (Marlinton): The name of a unique, long-running annual cooking festival held in Marlinton.
Mountain State Maple Days: An annual event featuring tours of local sugar camps and maple product sampling.
Pocahontas County Quilt Trail: A scenic drive featuring painted quilt blocks on barns and buildings throughout the county.
Bald Knob Observation Deck (Cass Scenic Railroad): An elevated viewing platform at the end of the highest train excursion.
Cheat Mountain Salamander: A different, self-propelled train excursion departing from Cheat Bridge.
Ann Bailey Lookout Tower (Watoga State Park): A historical observation tower accessible via hiking trails.
Honeycomb Rocks: An area of unique geological formations within the Monongahela National Forest.
Would you like to know more about any of these specific places, or perhaps find a place to stay near a few of your favorites?
That's a great request! Pocahontas County truly has a vast number of unique and fascinating places. Building on the first 50, here are 50 more unique places, digging deeper into its historical sites, small communities, and incredible natural features, especially those related to its railroad and Civil War history.
🌿 Hidden Natural Gems & Trails (20)
Clover Lick Depot: A beautifully restored depot that is a landmark on the Greenbrier River Trail.
Old Spruce Knob Road (FR 112): A scenic, rugged road offering forest immersion and access to remote trails.
Allegheny Mountain Tunnel: A historic, non-operational railroad tunnel near the Greenbrier Trail's southern end.
Slaty Fork: A small community known for its access to mountain biking and hiking trails in the Monongahela National Forest.
Dolly Sods Wilderness (Southern end): While mostly in Tucker County, its southern fringe touches the northern edge of Pocahontas County.
White Top Mountain: A prominent peak offering challenging hiking and views.
High Rocks: A scenic overlook and geological formation within Watoga State Park.
Teaberry: An area known for its rhododendron and mountain laurel thickets.
Thorny Mountain (Peak): The mountain itself, home to the historic fire tower and offering sweeping views.
Jerico Trail: A multi-use trail popular for hiking and mountain biking in the Marlinton area.
Upper Falls of Hills Creek: The first and smallest of the three waterfalls, often less crowded than the Lower Falls.
Knapp's Creek: A prominent stream known for excellent trout fishing.
Laurel Run Trail: A popular trail for mountain biking and hiking near the Cass area.
Mingo Flats: A fertile, historical valley area in the northern part of the county.
Elk River: A major tributary with sections running through the northern county area.
Cranberry Backcountry Drive: A less-traveled, rugged forest road near the Cranberry Glades area.
Big Mountain: A prominent forested peak near the Greenbrier River.
Tea Creek: A remote creek popular for backpacking and camping in the Monongahela National Forest.
Greenbrier Rhododendron: The site of a spectacular spring bloom of West Virginia's state flower.
North Fork of the Cherry River: Known for its wild and scenic character, flowing near the Highland Scenic Highway.
🏛️ Historical & Cultural Sites (20)
Camp Allegheny: A preserved Confederate Civil War encampment site near the Virginia state line.
Camp Bartow Historic District (Travelers Repose): A major Civil War camp and strategic location on the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike.
Huntersville: The original county seat of Pocahontas County before it moved to Marlinton.
Huntersville Old County Jail: A preserved historic jail building in the original county seat.
Pocahontas County Historical Society Museum: Located in the Frank and Anna Hunter House, showcasing local artifacts and history.
Pocahontas Times Print Shop: A historic building in Marlinton that once housed the county's oldest newspaper.
IOOF Lodge Building (Marlinton): A historic fraternal lodge building in the town center.
McNeel Mill (Mill Point): A historic mill structure located off US 219.
Richard Beard House (Hillsboro): A historic residence listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Warwick's Fort: A recently listed historic site, representing a colonial-era fort.
Pleasant Green Methodist Episcopal Church (Seebert): A historic church in the southern part of the county.
Seebert Lane Colored School (Seebert): A historically significant one-room schoolhouse for African American children.
New Deal Resources in Watoga State Park Historic District: The structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the Great Depression.
New Deal Resources in Seneca State Forest Historic District: Similarly, the CCC-built facilities at Seneca State Forest.
Durbin Depot: The restored historic train station in Durbin, now the departure point for the Durbin Rocket.
Cheat Summit Fort (Site): Site of one of the highest altitude Civil War fortifications in the East.
Cass Company Store: The historic store in Cass, now operating as a museum and gift shop.
Spruce Mountain: The highest mountain in the county, site of the old logging town of Spruce.
Reber Radio Telescope (Green Bank): A historic antenna at the Green Bank Observatory, one of the earliest radio telescopes.
Huntersville Presbyterian Church: A historic church dating back to the town's time as the county seat.
🏕️ Communities & Unique Spots (10)
Seebert: A small, historic community along the Greenbrier River Trail.
Minnehaha Springs: A community in the southern part of the county, historically known for a resort.
Linwood: A small unincorporated community near the Snowshoe entrance.
Valley Head: A nearby town often associated with the northern end of Pocahontas County's attractions.
Top of Allegheny: The geographical and historical high point on the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike.
Laurel Bank: A scenic area near the Greenbrier River.
Dean's Den (Frank/Durbin): A small, unassuming local eatery known for being a hidden gem.
Allegheny Highlands Trail (Segment): The section of this longer regional trail that passes through the county.
Cass Mountain Biking Trails: The network of biking trails around the Cass area, distinct from the rail trail.
Pocahontas County Farmers Market: A community gathering point in Marlinton (seasonal) that showcases local produce and crafts.
That completes a list of 100 unique places in Pocahontas County! Is there anything else I can help you find, perhaps a specific type of accommodation or event in the area?
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