Page 226 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

224  W ASHINGT ON , DC & THE C APIT AL REGION

West Virginia Knob-Seneca Rocks National
Recreation Area draws
Set entirely within the Appalachian Mountains, this rockclimbers up the sandstone
“Mountain State” remains largely forested, despite centuries strata of Seneca Rocks, an hour’s
of aggressive lumbering and mining. The state was part of drive away. The 75-mile (121-km)
Virginia until the Civil War, and its early European pioneers Greenbrier River Trail, running
parallel to the Virginia border,
were less wealthy and generally very different from the from White Sulphur Springs in
genteel planters of eastern Virginia. As talk of secession grew, the south all the way to the Cass
western Virginia aligned with the Union. Four years after Scenic Railroad State Park in the
abolitionist John Brown raided a federal arsenal in Harpers north, is a converted “rails-to-
Ferry in a failed attempt to inspire a slave rebellion in 1859, trails” rail-bed route, which is
West Virginia was declared a separate state. Today it is known quite popular for bicycle tours.
for its woodworking, quilting, and basketry crafts, and } Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks
traditional Appalachian music and dancing. National Rec. Area
n (304) 567-2827. Open May–Sep:
9am–4:30pm Wed–Sun; Nov–Apr:
9am–4:30 pm Sat–Sun. 7
} Cass Scenic Railroad
Route 66/Main St, Cass. Tel (304) 456-
4300. Open late May–Oct. 7
∑ cassrailroad.com

t New River Gorge
National River
Canyon Rim Visitor Center: US Hwy 19,
Lansing. Tel (304) 456-4300. Open
8am–4:30pm daily. Closed Jan 1,
Thanksgiving, Dec 25. 7 ∑ nps.
Blackwater Falls State Park, in Monongahela National Forest gov/neri
r Monongahela forest, makes a convenient base The New River courses
National Forest to explore the area. The town’s through a deep gorge in
Augusta Heritage Center hosts the south eastern corner of the
200 Sycamore St, Elkins. Tel (304) 636- residential summer programs state, drawing rafters for some
1800. Open 8am–4:45pm Mon–Fri. on traditional folklife and folk of the most exciting white-
∑ fs.udsa.gov/mnf arts, as well as bluegrass and water adventures in the
old-time mountain music eastern US. The National Park
The eastern half of the state dances and concerts. Service, located between
lies deep within the Allegheny Northeast of Elkins, an 8-mile Fayetteville and Hinton,
Mountains, a part of the longer (13-km) stretch of the 124-mile oversees a stretch that falls
Appalachian Range. Much of (200-km) Allegheny Trail links 750 ft (225 m) within 50 miles
this rugged terrain is protected two state parks – Canaan Valley (80 km), with a compact set of
as the vast Monongahela Resort State Park, a downhill ski
National Forest, which encom- resort, and Blackwater Falls
passes five federally designated State Park, a good place for
wilderness areas and serves as backcountry ski touring. Both
the headwaters for six major parks have restaurants and
river systems. Its landscapes of provide facilities for lodging and
rhododendron, black cherry, camping. Farther south,
highland bogs, blueberry Snowshoe Mountain Resort is
thickets, and exposed rocks the state’s largest downhill
are the habitat for black bear, resort in winter and a mountain
white-tailed deer, bobcat, otter, biking center from spring to fall
mink, and many other species. (rentals and guided trips are
The forest’s trails attract hikers, available). The nearby Cass
horseback riders, and mountain Scenic Railroad State Park
bikers, while in winter, the area organizes vintage steam train
is popular for downhill and rides across the mountaintops
cross-country skiing. for panoramic views. Fall foliage
The small town of Elkins, the rides are the most popular. Rock climber above New River Gorge
headquarters of the national South east of Elkins, the Spruce National River
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp234–6 and pp237–9

224-225_EW_USA.indd 224 11/2/16 2:44 PM
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.6)
Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm