Oct 19

Oct 19 Seneca Rocks: A Towering Sight in West Virginia

Easily one of the most impressive sights I’ve seen in years can be found within the Monongahela National Forest. The towering view of Seneca Rocks rises over 900 feet above the North Fork River and it will definitely take your breath away.

Know Before You Go

There’s virtually no cell service in the area, but across the street from the Discovery Center, you’ll find Harper's Old Country Store, one of the oldest continuously operated WV businesses, or Yokum’s Store and Motel.

There’s many places to stay or camp in this part of West Virginia, most notably Seneca Shadows Campground or Yokum’s Vacationland, both have stunning views of Seneca Rocks.

View of Seneca Rocks from the Discovery Center parking lot.

The rocks themselves are made up of Tuscarora Sandstone or quartzite from about 425 million years ago. As the Appalachian Mountains were formed, the bed of rock was contorted and erosion stripped away the overlaying rock. Boulders still fall today from Seneca Rocks and are slowly making their way down to the river below. While impressive, Seneca Rocks is not the only of its kind in Eastern WV, nearby also stands Champe Rocks which can be viewed from the road, along with others that are not as imposing.

View from the observation deck at the top of Seneca Rocks.

There are two main parking lots, one next to the Discovery Center, where you can learn about the area, and the other near the Sites Homestead. From either, you’ll begin the Seneca Rocks trail. It’s a well know spot for rock climbing, but there is a 3 mile round trip trail that you can take to the top. The hike to the top is over 800 feet in elevation gain, but luckily it is a switchback trail, which allows for an easier hike up and helps to protect the landscape. But don’t worry, there are rocks and benches to stop at if you need to rest occasionally.

Along the trail, you’ll come across numerous info signs giving information about Seneca Rocks, the trees/vegetation below, and more.

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The Sites Homestead was your typical Appalachian home and was considered a “melting pot” house since it combined different types of architecture. It was built in 1829 by Jacob Sites and was expanded by his son, William, years later. After William’s death, his descendants had remodeled the home until 1947 before the U.S. Forest Service bought the property in the late ’60s. The outdoor garden reflects many of the crops grown in the 1800s. Back in 1943-44, Seneca Rocks was also used by soldiers to train for the difficulties of World War II mountain warfare.