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 Activities

Grant County offers exciting, fun-filled activities for all agres. Best known for our spectacular scenic views, Grant County and the surrounding area also offers hiking, biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, caving and more.

featured activities photos

Fishing
Hunting
Hiking
Camping
Mountain Biking
Canoeing & Kayaking               
Rafting & Tubing
Rock Climbing
Caverns
Skiing
Golfing
Scenics
Wildlife
Train Excursions
Birding

Fishing
FISHING The South Branch of the Potomac River offers excellent fishing for smallmouth bass, some largemouth bass, trout (rainbow, brook, brown and golden rainbow), channel catfish, eel and carp.

There are over 200 miles on trout streams nearby and the Monongahela Forest contains 600 miles of cold water streams, representing 50 percent of all trout water and 90 percent of native trout water in West Virginia. Warm-water anglers will be equally entertained with 350 miles of stream and some of the best smallmouth bass waters in the state. Four state-record catches of smallmouth bass, rainbow trout and largemouth bass came from the South Branch.

Information on Fishing & Hunting Licenses

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Hunting
HUNTING Grant County is a great base camp for access to the Monongahela National Forest, including Dolly Sods Wilderness, Smoke Hole, and Spruce Knob. The Hopeville Canyon Section provides direct access to the North Fork Mountain Region of the National Forest.

Web Sites:
Monongahela National Forest
Dolly Sods
Spruce Knob
Smoke Hole Recreation Area

Information on Fishing & Hunting Licenses

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Hiking
HIKING There is so much nearby hiking we cannot list all hikes, but here is a list a few to get you started on your search.

Seneca Rocks
Purchased by the federal government in 1969, Seneca Rocks is a magnificent formation rising nearly 900 ft. above the North Fork River. The formation is a white/gray Tuscarora quartzite approximately 250 ft. thick. Views of the valley and river from the top of Seneca Rocks are spectacular.
Web Site:
http://www.senecarocks.com/

Dolly Sods
A federally designated wilderness area, the Dolly Sods Wilderness, is a highly elevated plain of windswept moors on the Allegheny Plateau. It is known for its upland bogs and sweeping vista. Dolly Sods is the home to the one-sided Spruce trees and vegetation only found in Canada.
Web Site:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/sp/dolly_scenic.html

Spruce Knob
At 4861 feet above sea level Spruce Knob is West Virginia’s Highest Point. A stone and steel observation tower sits atop the Knob, providing visitors with a 360 degree view. The ½ mile Whispering Spruce Trail circles the knob and provides panoramic views.
Web Site:
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf/sp/sksrnra.html

North Fork Mountain Trail
The North Fork Mountain Trail follows the ridge top along the western rim of the Smoke Hole Canyon. This 24-mile trail has countless views of the Smoke Hole canyon and North Fork valley. Drinking water is not available so remember to bring your own. From high points, the Blue Ridge Mountains are visible to the east.
Web Site:
http://www.nature.org/.../art1213.html

Seneca Creek
The trail is an old logging road that winds through spruce pines and meadows for 3 miles. At this point you will see the 1st and largest waterfall on Seneca Creek. The trail runs parallel to Seneca Creek to the top of Spruce Knob. From the 1st waterfall to the 2nd (2 miles) is the best part of the trail. You will find clear pools filled with native rainbow trout. You must backtrack the trail to return.

Black Water Falls
Black Water Falls State Park with 1688 acres is named after the amber-colored waters that plunge five stories at Black Water Falls, then twist and tumble through an eight-mile-long gorge. The “black” water is a result of leached tannic acids from fallen hemlock and red spruce needles.
Web Site:
http://www.blackwaterfalls.com/

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Camping
CAMPING Information to come soon.

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Mountain Biking
MOUNTAIN BIKING Information to come soon.

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Canoeing & Kayaking
CANOEING & KAYAKING Canoeing and Kayaking on three main rivers nearby are Seneca Creek, North Fork of the South Brach and the South Branch. Any of these streams can be easy to difficult depending on water volume. If you do not know the area, we recommend you contact the local experts.

Eagles Nest Outfitters is a local outfitter. They have organized trips for the beginner and the experts. The can provide canoes, kayaks, or duckies. (304) 257-2393)
Web Site:
http://wvweb.com/eaglesnest

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Rafting & Tubing
RAFTING & TUBING Information to come soon.

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Rock Climbing
ROCK CLIMBING Seneca Rocks Mountain Guides
304 567 2115 The Seneca Rocks Mountaineer Wall is a perfect facility for visitors and tourists who wish to climb and play on our 40 foot climbing wall under the supervision of SRMG staff. This is a great opportunity for inexperienced people who are visiting the area and wish to experience climbing. This climbing wall is great for young kids.

Seneca Rocks Mountain Guides has developed "one of a kind" indoor rock walls designed to introduce and reinforce authentic techniques and systems in a controlled and weather independent indoor environment.
Web Site:
http://www.senecarocks.com/

Seneca Rocks Climbing School
800-548-0108 This school has been offering climbing instruction for over 30 years and is the one of the oldest climbing schools on the east coast. They offer beginner to expert climbing courses.
Web Site:
http://www.seneca-rocks.com/

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Caverns
CAVING Many nearby caves are explored by spelunkers. If you do not know the area, we recommend you contact the guides at Seneca Rocks for information.

Seneca Caverns
800-239-7647 Seneca is both a splunking and commercial cave. They just opened a new cave. This cave is for the adventure seeker. You enter the cave with a miner's light and boots. It's wet and dirty. The experience is more like spelunking than a commercial cave.
Web Site:
http://www.senecacaverns.com/

Smoke Hole Caverns
800-828-8478

Cavern Tours Daily from 10 Am to 4 Pm $13 Adults and $8 children (ages 5-12) 4 and under FREE
Located 7 miles south of Petersburg on Rt 28/55 and 13 miles North of Seneca Rocks on Rt 28/55

Unusual Marvels! See incredible formations such as Helectites that defy gravity and you imagination by growing sideways, the Artesian Spring and Flowstone Dome, Picturesque Rainbow Falls, a perfect column, and countless delicate Soda Straw Stalactites. We are home to the World's Longest Ribbon Stalactite and the Room of a Million Stalactites is the 2nd Highest room in the Easter United States, measuring 274 feet. See the Crystal Cave Corral Pool filled with Rainbow and Golden Trout. The corral is only found in one other caverns in the world and that is in New Zealand. We are wet cavern which means our cavern is still actively forming. Being a vertical cavern, which is geologically unique, as all rocks form horizontally which draws much interest to geologists. Come visit our Natural Wonder Down Under.
Web Site:
http://www.smokehole.com/

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Skiing & Winter Sports
SKIING & WINTER SPORTS The Canaan Valley area offers two big mountain resorts with great snow (150"-200" per year!).

Canaan Valley Resort
Offers 37 downhill slopes. It has night skiing and tubing for the kids.
Web Site:
http://www.canaanresort.com/

Timberline Resort
Offers 37 downhill slopes trails. The longest run is over 2 miles.
Web Site:
http://www.timberlineresort.com/

White Grass Ski Touring Center
Offers Cross-Country Skiing Terrain: 50 km maintained & 25 km groomed trails with access to National Forest, Canaan Valley Resort trails, and telemark glade skiing.
Web Site:
http://www.whitegrass.com/

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Golfing
GOLFING Canaan Valley Golf Course
It is a 4 star 18-hole championship course, par 72. Also, a put-put course is available for the kids.
Web Site:
http://canaans2.timberlakepublishing.com/...483

Valley View Golf Club
It is one of the Mid-Atlantic's best kept secrets. Designed by Russell Roberts and Bill Ward, Valley View was built in 1968 and plays to 6400 yards from the tips at a par 71.
Web Site:
http://golfguideinc.com/COURSES/valleyView.htm

Highlands Golf Club
The Highlands Golf Club opened in May 2006. Beginning with the first hole, a par 5, 525-yard downhill sloping fairway, golfers of all handicaps will enjoy the Highland Golf Course's design. All along the way through 18 holes, the course is surrounded by many tall pines, narrow fairways and unique greens with tiered landings.
Web Site:
http://www.highlandsgolfwv.com/

Seneca Caverns
It offers a new 18 hole put-put course. Its a great addition to a cave tour.
Web Site:
http://www.senecacaverns.com/

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Scenics
SCENICS Information to come soon.

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Check some of our beautiful Scenic Drive Photos

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Wildlife
WILDLIFE Information to come soon.

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Check some of our Wildlife in our Nature Gallery

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Train Excursions
TRAIN EXCURSIONS South Side Depot
304-257-9264 In 1884, the Hampshire Southern Railroad completed the 15 mile spur from Green Springs to Romney, and in 1910 continued construction through Moorefield to Petersburg. Mr. W.C. Halterman operated it as a general merchandise store from 1911, until 1940, with the slogan "It pays to deal at the Hardware Store."

In 2003, the City of Petersburg purchased and renovated the historic building, in conjunction with the West Virginia Department of Tourism. Renamed The South Side Depot.
Web Site:
http://www.southsidedepot.com/area_map.html

Cass Scenic Railroad
(304) 456-4300 May thru October Cass Scenic Railroad State Park offers excursions that transport you back in time. During the trip, you will experience unparalleled views of a vast wilderness area, and close-up encounters with the sights and sounds of original steam-driven locomotives. The Railroad is the same line built in 1901 to haul lumber to the mill in Cass. The locomotives are the same Shay locomotives used in Cass for more than a half-century. The passenger cars are old logging flat-cars refurbished and made into passenger cars.
Web Site:
http://www.cassrailroad.com/

Potomac Eagle
304-424-0736 – May thru October Enjoy a taste of pre- World War II Americana on the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad. The ride departs from Romney in the northern Highlands, skirting the South Branch of the Potomac River. The three-hour narrated trip winds through farms dating back to the 1700s and meadows of native wildflowers that color the wide, beautiful South Branch Valley. The highlight of the trip is the visually striking, narrow river valley known as “The Trough” where the American Bald Eagles can be seen soaring overhead or nesting in trees. May and June find young eaglets in the nests with the adult eagles in constant attendance.
Web Site:
http://www.potomaceagle.info/

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Birding
BIRDING The forests and mountains of Grant County are a birder’s paradise. From soaring Bald Eagles and Peregrin Falcons to back yard favorites such as Cardinals, Blue Birds and Scarlet Tanagers to Wild Turkeys in our mountain vistas, we have some of the most isolated and beautiful birding sites in the state of West Virginia.

Birds are among the easiest wildlife to locate and study because they are relatively easy to find. Many are colorful or have songs which alert you to where they might be settled on a tree branch. Some travel in large groups, are active during the day and can be studied from a reasonable distance, sometimes even without binoculars.

West Virginia, with its temperate climate, diverse vegetation and dramatic topography, plays host to numerous species of birds throughout the year. In fact, there are 300 plus species of birds that inhabit the state during some portion of the year. More than 75 of these species are known to breed in the state, with the remainder being migrants that pass through or species that spend the winter here.

You can watch eagles soar over the River, listen to the songs of warblers courting in dense evergreen forests atop the Allegheny Plateau, see woodpeckers scour the bark of oak trees for insects, wade through a high elevation fen to glimpse a bittern, or watch waterfowl resting on a migration stopover. These and many other natural wonders await even the casual bird watcher in West Virginia.

Late spring through early fall is when bird viewing opportunities are highest in the Mountain State. From April to July you can rise early and hear the songs of the various species that breed here. Fall and spring are good times to see birds migrating over major waterways and along mountain ridges. Even winter affords the bird watcher access to over 50 species that brave West Virginia’s rugged

A few of West Virginia best viewing areas are nearby: Dolly Sods Wilderness Area, Spruce Knob/Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area, Smoke Hole Recreation Area.

Bird Watching list for the Monongahela National Forest
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/wildlife/wildlife/monongahela-bird-checklist.pdf

West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Birding Web Sites
http://www.wvdnr.gov/Wildlife/GetStart.shtm
http://www.wvdnr.gov/wildlife/birdwv.shtm
http://www.wvdnr.gov/Wildlife/Viewing.shtm

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Grant County Convention & Visitors Bureau
126 S. Main Street, Petersburg, WV 26847 :: (304) 257-9266 | (866) 597-9266
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