Fort Mulligan

Located within walking distance of Fort Hill Motel, is Fort Mulligan.  An historic site with a beautiful view.

Photo Courtesy of www.motownflash.com

Dolly Sods

Dolly Sods Wilderness is located on the Cheat-Potomac Ranger District of the Monongahela National Forest in Tucker and Randolph Counties, West Virginia.

This high mountain plateau has unique vegetation found nowhere else outside of Canada. The wind swept terrain results in many one-sided trees. There is a campground and plenty of hiking trails. If fortunate enough to catch a clear day the panoramic views are spectacular. Accessible only by dirt road and subject to severe weather.

The Potomac Eagle

Billed as "the train where eagles fly," the Potomac Eagle rarely disappoints. Passengers are treated to glimpses of American Bald Eagles soaring overhead or nesting on more than 90% of the excursions taken. The three-hour narrated trip winds through idyllic pasture fields filled with native wildflowers and farms dating to the early 1700s and the visually striking, narrow river valley known as "The Trough."

Photo Courtesy of www.motownflash.com

Seneca Rocks

Located south of Elkins, WV. at the intersection of routes 28 and 33, Seneca Rocks is a world-class climbing area. Often used by the military for training, the rocks are also popular with recreational climbers and tourists alike. The area offers trails, scenic overlooks, horseback riding, trout fishing, and camping in addition to climbing.

Blackwater Falls

Beautiful Blackwater Falls, located near Thomas and Davis, WV. One of the most photographed attractions in the state and a popular trout fishing area. Normally water levels are higher than this photo, which was taken during an unusually dry fall. Hiking, camping, and a full facility lodge with spectacular views of Blackwater Canyon.

Photo Courtesy of www.motownflash.com

South Branch

of the Potomac

The South Branch of the famed Potomac River is a tremendous canoeing river. The "Trough" area of the Potomac offers incredible scenery (American bald eagle sightings are frequent!) and challenging rapids and pools ranging from class I to III.

Smoke Holes

Like much of West Virginia and the Potomac Highlands, the history of Smoke Hole Caverns is tied to the Seneca Indians.  These Native Americans used the front section of the caverns to smoke and preserve venison and wild game.  The slow burning wood fires sent clouds of smoke swirling out into the valley.  The scene was so common that early settlers called the place Smoke Hole.

Legend has it that during the Civil War, gold bars and coins were hidden in the Caverns walls.  To date, none have been found.  The many rooms and secluded nature of the Caverns were also the ideal place for early settlers and immigrants to make corn whisky after the war.  It is estimated that perhaps as many as 20 stills operated at one time.  One has been preserved for you.  Write up courtesy of Grant County Chamber of Commerce.