Recreation

Skiing
Pocahontas County is widely known as a premier skiing destination. With elevations above 4,800 feet, we get plenty of fresh now (an average of 180 inches, in fact) and it is perfect for down hilling, snowboarding and snowmobiling. Our close proximity to Snowshoe Mountain, the Mid-Atlantic's #1 ski resort, means you are in the perfect spot to enjoy our legendary winters. (Photo used with permission by Snowshooter Imaging.)

Golf
In the warmer months, enjoy The Raven Golf Club at Snowshoe Mountain, which has racked up accolades as one of the best public access courses in the country. It was designed by Gary Player, showcases excellent views of the Allegheny Mountains and is a 10-minute drive from SMV.

If you're up for the most luxurious R&R, check out The Greenbrier, home of the 2010 Greenbrier Classic, a PGA Tour/FedEx Cup event and ranked as one of the top golf resorts in North America. For a more relaxed environment, visit the Stonewall Resort near Roanoke, WV, which offers a Palmer Signature Course surrounded by natural beauty and complete with a spa and fantastic dining, or the Glade Springs Resort with 3 18-hole courses, a spa and various dining options in Daniels, WV.

Looking for a shorter round? A quick drive to Marlinton takes you to the Pocahontas Country Club where you'll find an enjoyable and challenging 9-hole course.

Fly Fishing
Home to the headwaters of eight rivers (Elk, Cranberry, Tygart, Williams, Cheat, Gauley, Greenbrier and Cherry), Pocahontas County is renowned for its plentiful trout. Cool, clean water flowing from the Allegheny Mountains provides an excellent habitat for rainbows, brooks, browns and goldens. Serious fly fishermen have kept this area secret for years—now you are in on the secret!

Whitewater Rafting
Feeling adventurous? West Virginia's best whitewater rafting is on the Gauley and Upper Gauley Rivers. These rivers originate in the mountains and gain thrilling speed as they descend in elevation. With hundreds of rapids and a challenging pace, you're sure to be an adrenaline junkie in no time. For a gentler ride, The New River is an excellent option.

Hiking and Biking
We're close to plenty of hiking and biking trails. Ranked high on the lists of serious hikers are the West Fork Trail, the Allegheny Trail, the Cranberry Wilderness Area and the Cranberry Backcountry, each with its own unique features and level of difficulty. The Greenbrier River Trail is an easier option and is also great for a day of relaxed biking. Snowshoe Mountain recently created fantastic new mountain bike trails and a terrain park that offers events throughout the summer—these additions have gained attention from serious mountain bikers who travel from all over the country to take on these challenging courses.

Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
The centerpiece of this popular state park is the steam-driven locomotive that takes visitors through the Allegheny Mountains from the logging town of Cass, WV. Popular with families, day trip options include the Fiddles and Vittles tour (complete with a buffet dinner and bluegrass music) and the Murder Mystery tour.

NRAO – National Radio Astronomy Observatory
Popular with tourists and locals alike, the National Radio Astronomy Observatory boasts the Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope, perched 485 feet above ground and weighing in at 17 million pounds. Impressively, it is the world's largest moving structure on land and is used by scientists to study deep space.

Boating
Lake Moomaw, just an hour’s drive from SMV in the Allegheny Highlands of Western Virginia, offers visitors over 2500 acres of clear blue water, a marina (boat rental available), sandy beaches, camping spots, hiking trails and excellent fishing.

Summersville Lake, the largest in WV, has over 28,000 acres of water and 60 acres of shoreline. Boating, water skiing, swimming, fishing, scuba diving, hiking and biking can all be enjoyed from this locale in Summersville, WV.