Seneca State Forest
- Status
- Status not postedDaily 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- Statewide rule — see below
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- YesAlso cabins
- Official site
- wvstateparks.com304-799-6213
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Seneca State Forest is a 12,845-acre forest in Pocahontas County, about 38 miles north of Covington.
The park supports horseback riding, historic sites, hunting in season, biking, and fishing. The official site lists about 23 miles of trails. For overnight stays there are campsites (tent sites). There are also cabins for rent.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — |
Official wording
8 A.M. to 10 P.M.
The campground is open spring through fall, weather permitting.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/New York).
Pets
'Dogs and cats are the only pets permitted in state parks and forests. Pets must be leashed and restrained.' Select cabins are pet-friendly, varying by park.
Statewide rule from West Virginia's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
Fees apply to lodging, camping, pools and activities.
Statewide fee rule from West Virginia's park system; this park’s page doesn’t list its own fees.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- WV State Parks reservations (Inntopia-based, reservations.wvstateparks.com)
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camping Season: Campgrounds are open on a first-come, first-serve basis after Labor Day. Seneca State Forest’s campground has 10 large, secluded sites with level tent and trailer pads, picnic tables and fireplaces. Campers may use the coin-operated laundry machines and showers located at the forest office. West Virginia State Park campground reservations are available from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year. Campgrounds are open on a first-come, first-serve basis after Labor Day. | — | Showers | — |
Camping details from the park
Seneca State Forest’s campground, the oldest public campground in the state, has 10 large, secluded sites with level tent and trailer pads, picnic tables and fireplaces. Campers may use the coin-operated laundry machines and showers located at the forest office. West Virginia State Park campground reservations are available from April 1 through October 31 each year.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Cabins and lodging
- Cabins
- Fire Tower
Cabins
Seneca State Forest has eight cabins, designed to give guests an experience of what pioneer life was like without indoor plumbing and electricity. Showers and coin-operated laundry machines are available for use in the forest office. All cabins come fully furnished and equipped for basic housekeeping.
Fire Tower
Seneca State Forest’s Thorny Mountain Fire Tower is one of West Virginia State Parks most iconic attractions. The 65-foot tower provides 360 degree views of the forest and unobstructed views of the night sky. The tower may be reserved for overnight stays, between May and October. The tower has two cots, but can accommodate up to four people. Make your reservations up to a year in advance because this unique attraction books up fast! Make your reservation by calling (304) 799-6213 or 1-800-CALL-WVA.
Things to do
BikingCampingFishingHikingHorseback ridingHuntingHistoric sites and tours
Trails
| Trail | Length | Difficulty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allegheny Trail | 10.4 mi | — | This trail enters Seneca on Thomas Mountain Road near Sitlington, traverses the length of the forest and exits on Thorny Creek Mountain Road. Access from Sitlington Road, Laurel Run Road, Cabin Road and Thorny Creek Mountain Road. Distance: 10.4 miles |
| Black Oak Trail | 1.25 mi | — | From north end of Loop Road to Clover Lick Road. Distance: 1.25 miles |
| Crestline Trail | 2 mi | — | From end of Michael Mountain Road along crest of Michael Mountain. Highest point of Seneca State Forest. No biking permitted. Distance: 2 milesHikingBiking |
| Fire Tower Trail | 0.75 mi | — | From Fire Observation Tower to Seneca Lake. Steep grade. No biking permitted. Distance: 0.75 milesHikingBiking |
| Great Laurel Trail | 0.5 mi | — | Great Laurel Trail connects Hill Top Trail to campground at campsite #8. Distance: 0.5 miles |
| Hill Top Trail | 1.5 mi | — | Trail runs from Cabin Road near Forest Headquarters, across Loop Road to Thorny Creek Trail. Distance: 1.5 miles |
| Horseshoe Trail | 1.25 mi | — | A circular trail which departs the campground near campsite #9 and ends near campsite #8. No biking permitted. Distance: 1.25 milesHikingBiking |
| Little Jim Trail | 1 mi | — | From Rt. 28 just south of the North entrance to Rich Patch Loop Trail. Distance: 1 mile |
| Little Mountain Trail | 1 mi | — | Trail runs from Cabin Road near Forest Headquarters to Thorny Creek Trail. Distance: 1 mile |
| Rich Patch Loop | 3.2 mi | — | A loop trail that begins from a trailhead parking area on Michael Mountain Road approximately ¾ mile off State Route 28. Distance: 3.2 miles |
| Thorny Creek Trail | 6 mi | — | A circular trail which follows Little Thorny Creek from its headwaters on Loop Road to the point where it leaves Seneca below the lake. The trail then leaves the stream, climbs Little Mountain and meets the southern terminus of Loop Road. Note: Several stream crossings. Distance: 6 miles |
| Scarlet Oak Trail | 0.5 mi | — | From the southern end of Loop Road to Cabin Road ½ miles from Forest Headquarters. No biking permitted. Distance: 0.5 milesHikingBiking |
Trail descriptions from the park
Explore this vast forest by hiking any of the 12 challenging trails or the nearby Allegheny and Greenbrier River trails, which run through and can be accessed from the forest. The forest is best known for the Thorny Mountain Fire Tower, which is a popular overlook and overnight destination.
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Swimming
Go for a dip and get some Vitamin D! 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
Seneca Lake is a great place to fish for trout, largemouth, bass, catfish and bluegill. The nearby Greenbrier River offers smallmouth and rock bass. But before you head out, make sure you purchase a current West Virginia fishing license, available at www.wvfish.com.
If you’re planning a fishing trip and need overnight accommodations, check in to a cabin. But hurry! They book up fast. Make you reservation by clicking Book Now!
Fishing in Seneca State Forest
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Nature center or museum
Camping
- Tent camping
Lodging
- Cabins
Recreation
- Horse trails
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 10135 Browns Creek Road
Dunmore, WV 24934 - Nearest town
- Covington — about 38 mi north (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 38.3214, -79.8969
- Phone
- 304-799-6213
- senecasf@wv.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- West Virginia State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026; page says updated Oct 2, 2026
- West Virginia State Parks park finder: window.parks JSON embedded in the /parks/ page (WordPress page + park post with ACF meta)
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. “Last changed” (Oct 29, 2026) is when the information shown here last differed from the previous check. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology