Local Attractions
Things to see and do around Spruce Knob, on your way in or out.
Spruce Knob is located in the Monongahela National Forest, near Elkins, West Virginia. Beyond gorgeous scenery, the area offers plenty for the whole family.
The Discovery Center in Seneca Rocks, run by the Forest Service, has information on activities throughout the area — scenic drives, biking, historical sites, mountain and valley activities, plus the local geology, flora, and fauna.
Birding
Check the Seneca Rocks Audubon Society‘s recent sightings, the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge page, the eBird WV list, and the Monongahela National Forest bird list to get started on your life list. We often run a member-led birding hike during the weekend.
Caving
SKMC staff sometimes lead a family-friendly trip to a local Shenandoah cave — human visits are no longer considered a contributing factor to White Nose Syndrome in bats, so the caves have reopened. Prepare to get muddy! There’s also a well-reviewed commercial display cave nearby at Seneca Caverns.
Fishing
Spruce Knob Lake is regularly stocked with trout by the WV Department of Natural Resources. Campsites are available.
Hiking
There’s plenty of hiking around Spruce Knob itself, plus nearby trails at Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Blackwater Falls State Park, the Otter Creek Wilderness, and the 80-mile Greenbrier River Trail.
Mountain Biking
Bikes are a fun way to get around AHSP itself. For something more serious, try the Spruce Knob trail (difficult), the Seneca Creek loop (easy), the Bother Ridge Trail (moderate), or the Greenbrier River Trail (easy).
Rafting & Canoeing
Get outfitted for white water and river trips at Blackwater Outdoor Adventures or Cheat River Outfitters.
Rock Climbing
Seneca Rocks is a striking quartzite formation rising 900 feet above the North Fork River, popular with experienced climbers. There’s also a 1.3-mile hiking trail to a viewing platform for non-climbers, and a visitor’s center at the base covering the area’s cultural and geologic history. It’s about a 30-minute drive from AHSP.
Trains
Take a historic steam train ride on the Cass Scenic Railroad or the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad. AHSP typically organizes a family-friendly group trip on the Cass line over the weekend — see the activities schedule for this year’s details. The town of Cass and its surroundings are a WV state park, with other free tours and activities worth checking out.
Antiquing
Nothing specific right near SKMC, but several antique malls line the I-81 corridor:
- The Strasburg Emporium — Strasburg, VA
- Factory Antique Mall — Verona, VA
- The Shenandoah Market — Harrisonburg, VA
Places to Stay Before or After AHSP
SKMC and the surrounding area sit fairly centrally in Pendleton County, WV — the county has a list of places to stay and local businesses.
The closest campground, and a beautiful one, is at Spruce Knob Lake — details at the Monongahela National Forest site.
The Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA) has posted suggestions for motels, cabins, and camping south of AHSP near NRAO, including a link to Pocahontas County resources just south of Pendleton County.