Seneca State Forest

About Seneca State Forest

Seneca is the oldest forest in West Virginia, and the lake in the forest is named after the Seneca, an Indian tribe that once roamed the area. The forest offers a unique opportunity to communicate with nature and to experience the beauty of nature in its entirety.

Seneca's size and modest development make it a great place to find peace and solitude, especially in the summer months when sunsets and sunrises last longer.

Guests staying in Seneca State Forest can choose from eight fully furnished pioneer cabins, and each cabin is designed to provide an insight into pioneer life. Although there is no running water or electricity, they all have hand pumps, vaulted toilets, fireplaces and even a golf course where you can play.

The recently built barrier-free cabins have additional gas heating and the cabins are equipped for household use, including a stove, hob and gas stove for cooking, washing and other household needs.

Cots and highchairs are available at no extra cost and can be reserved in advance to avoid a handling fee. In this beautiful rustic campsite there is the possibility to stay overnight in the forest. The tents are particularly suitable for tents and are well designed, and can accommodate virtually any size and type of campsite. There are 10 large, secluded pitches, one of which is wheelchair accessible, as well as several smaller, more intimate pitches.

The Seneca campsite has often been described by tenants as one of the best they have ever seen, and perhaps the only one in the state.

Campers can use a coin-operated shower and laundry room, which is described as part of the cabins located about a kilometer from the campsite. A hand pump well, a vaulted toilet and an outdoor shower are centrally located in the campsite. Firewood is for sale and the forest staff clean the campsites after each deployment.

The campsite is open from April 1st to early December and the mobile home landfill is located in Seneca from July 1st to October 31st.

Rest assured that there is always another campsite somewhere nearby and there are several in the area. Guests who want to arrive before the official opening of Seneca State Forest in the summer months should inform themselves in good time about the availability when Seneca is full and look for alternative campsites, as these are often under-utilized. We do not accept reservations for these camps, but rest assured that we are always ready for you.

The Greenbrier River is also suitable for canoeing, inflatable boating and snorkeling, and cabin guests can apply for a free pool pass during the season. Visitors can also swim in the stream, which is another option, as well as on the beach of the Seneca State Forest Recreation Area.

Lake Seneca is home to canoe, rowing and pedal boats, and cabin passengers have free access to the boats, while others who wish to use them must pay a fee.

Lake Seneca is filled with trout in spring and autumn and also catches white mullet and bluefin fish. On the west side of the lake and on the east side there are barrier-free fishing pier and toilets with access to the shore.

The nearby Greenbrier River offers anglers many species of fish, including small mullets. Within an hour's drive you can reach many of the state's best trout streams, and the nearby Red River flows into the Hudson River.

The forest facilities are surrounded by a hunting zone of 500 feet, and all duly licensed persons are welcome to hunt in the forest during the season. A popular quarry for hunters is the Redbrier River, home to a variety of deer, elk, elk and other wildlife as well as other wildlife.

The pitches offer tables, fireplaces, drinking water and toilets as well as a variety of other amenities such as picnic areas, picnic tables and picnic benches.

The adjacent Greenbrier River Trail is accessible from Seneca and offers even more options. The Allegheny Trail also winds through the woods and the 23 km of challenging forest trails will impress even the most experienced hiker. Nearby is a hiking trail for the Appalachian Trail, one of the state's most popular hiking trails. In total, over 40 km of forest paths and roads are open to cycling, and access to the Green Brick Trail and its adjacent paths provides access to a variety of different types of cycling.

Families will find plenty of opportunities to ride their bikes in the Seneca State Forest, from the Green Brick Trail to the Allegheny Trail and even through the forests of West Virginia.

Seneca State Forest is located in the west of the country and can also be reached from the WV Rt. For the little ones, pony rides are offered, as well as a bike ride through the forests of West Virginia and the Allegheny Trail for all ages.

Nicknamed the "Birthplace of Rivers," the district is 62% federal and half state, and the center of Pocahontas County, known for its natural beauty, is ideal for exploring its many attractions.