Seneca State Forest, a West Virginia State Park

USA

West Virginia

Seneca State Forest

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Nearby Parks:
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
West Virginia State Fish Hatchery
Monongahela National Forest
Watoga State Park

State Park Contact Information:
	Seneca State Forest	Area Accommodations
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State Park Overview:

Oldest of West Virginia's state forests, Seneca borders the beautiful Greenbrier River in Pocahontas County. The forest offers pioneer guest cabins; a four(4) acre lake for trout, bass and bluegill fishing; a small campground and 11,684 acres of lush woodlands for hiking, hunting or communing with nature. The lake and forest are named after the Indian tribe which once roamed the area. Seneca's large size and modest development make it a great place to find peace and solitude.

Reviews By Park Visitors:

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Location...Perfect...

My family and I went to this park last week & it was great!! Close to Cass Rail Road, Hidden Valley Falls, Snow Shoe,& the National Radio Observatory. The cabins are wonderfully kept, & stocked w/ your essentials, wood, dishes, beds, ext. The vacation was the ABSOLUTE best, and relaxing w/o any technology.(i.e. cell phone or radio service or TV) which is just what we needed. The lake is stocked well & was a 2 minute walk from our cabin. If you take the scenic route back to Charleston you can swing by Hawks Nest, The New River Bridge, Gauley Bridge, and Summersville Lake. Which is just what we did. We are taking the kids back in August. We had a fantastic experience...Even better then the beach!!

Written by Candi 4-Jun-2009

Camping:

Camping

Another option for overnight visitors at the forest is the beautiful rustic camping area. This well designed campground consists of 10 large, secluded sites (one of which is wheelchair accessible) in a wooded setting, with picnic tables, level tent/trailer pads, and fireplaces. Virtually any size or type of camping unit can be accommodated, but the campground is especially well suited to tents. Seneca's campground is often mentioned by tenters as being one of the best they've seen. A handpumped well for drinking water and vault toilets are centrally located in the campground. Firewood is available for sale, and campers may use the coin operated shower and laundry facilities described under the cabins heading and which are ? mile from the campground.

Campsites are cleaned after each use by forest personnel.There is no RV dumping facility at Seneca.

The campground is open from April 1st to early December. Reservations are not accepted for the campground, but it does not often fill to capacity anyway. Guests planning on arriving late on a summer weekend, particularly a holiday weekend, may wish to call ahead to check on availability and inquire about alternate campgrounds (there are several in the area) should Seneca fill up. Rest assured that there are always campsites available somewhere close by.

Trails:

Hiking:

Even the serious hiker will be impressed by 23 miles of challenging forest trails. In addition, the Allegheny Trail winds though the forest, and the adjacent Greenbrier River Trail is accessible from Seneca.

Biking:

A total of 40 miles of forest trails and roads are open to bicycling. Access to the Greenbrier River Trail provides even more opportunities, and nearby are the mountain biking hotspots of Snowshoe and Elk River Touring Center. Families will find the grounds of the nearby National Radio Astronomy Observatory a good place for leisurely bicycling.

Horseback Riding:

Available nearby in-season. Pony rides are offered for the very young.

Picnicking:

Numerous picnic sites and a large shelter are provided for the enjoyment of visitors. These sites offer tables, fireplaces, drinking water and toilet facilities.

Boating:

Canoes, rowboats, and a paddleboat are provided on Seneca Lake. Cabin guests have free access to these boats at no charge, while others wishing to use them must pay a fee. Lifejackets are provided.

Swimming:

Visitors may swim unsupervised in the cool water of the Greenbrier River, which is also suitable at times for canoeing, tubing and snorkeling. Another option is to visit Watoga State Park's swimming pool. Cabin guests may request a free pass to this pool in season.

Fishing and Hunting:

Seneca Lake is stocked with trout in the spring and fall and offers largemouth bass and bluegill fishing as well. An accessible fishing pier and restroom are provided. The nearby Greenbrier River offers the angler many species of fish including smallmouth and rock bass. Normal licensing is required. Within an hour's drive you can access many of the state's best trout streams.

Properly licensed individuals are welcome to hunt in the forest in season. A 500 foot no hunting zone surrounds all forest facilities. Deer, bear, turkey, and small game are popular quarry for hunters.

Area Accommodations

Cottages and Cabins

Hemlock Haven Cabins - Hico, WV
We are luxury, dog friendly cabins located in Fayette County minutes from the New and Gauley Rivers. Each cabin has 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, complete kitchens, washer and dryers, gas fireplaces, an outdoor 6-person hot tubs, gas grill, and a private fenced yard with a fire ring and benches.
Web Site: http://www.hemlockhavenwv.com

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