Location: Marlinton
Top Things to do in Marlinton
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10 Things to Do in Marlinton That You Shouldn't Miss
Marlinton is a town in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 1,054 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Pocahontas County.
Restaurants in Marlinton
1. Greenbrier River Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 105 reviews
Reviewed By Robert B - Norfolk, Virginia
Found this by accident while looking for the Allegheny Trail. Was unable to take photos but this was beautiful and busy with people of all ages. The paved area in the town was great for biking and near both restaurants, stores, Y, and the river.
Unlike some R-to-R trails, this had shade. It had mile markers and adjacent parking areas. In the town of Marlinton, it goes right by the old train station and goes across a tributary well above the wearer way.
2. Beartown State Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 75 reviews
Beartown State Park is a natural area of 107 acres located on the eastern summit of Droop Mountain, seven miles southwest of Hillsboro, West Virginia. The name Beartown was chosen because local residents claimed that the many cave-like openings in the rocks made ideal winter dens for the black bears of the area. Also, the many deep, narrow crevasses were formed in a somewhat regular criss-cross pattern and appear from above like the streets of a small town. Beartown is noted for its unusual rock formations, which are comprised of Droop, or Pottsville, Sandstone formed during the Pennsylvanian age. Massive boulders, overhanging cliffs, and deep crevasses stir the imagination of most visitors. Pocketing the face of the cliffs are hundreds of eroded pits, ranging from the size of marbles to others large enough to hold two grown men. Ice and snow commonly remain in the deeper crevasses until mid to late summer. Vegetation clings tenaciously to life, sending roots into mere cracks in the rocks.The land was purchased in 1970 with funds from the Nature Conservancy and a donation from Mrs. Edwin G. Polan, in memory of her son, Ronald Keith Neal, who lost his life in the Vietnam War. Development of the park has been minimal in order to preserve the natural attractions of the area. However, basic facilities are provided, and a boardwalk permits easy access. Interpretive signs along the boardwalk guide visitors and provide insights concerning the ecology of the area. The park is open daily from April to October. During the closed winter season foot travel to the boardwalk area is welcome, with parking available at the closed entrance gate. Group tours may be arranged by contacting the Superintendent at nearby Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park. No fee is charged to visit Beartown.
Reviewed By BlueridgeCharlie - Dugspur, Virginia
Our hostess in Lewisburg recommended this trip for a day hike. Mentioned Jurassic Park but no more detail.
An easy drive to the park. No park entry fees to visit. Adequate parking at the trailhead.
A short walk to the beginning of the boardwalk brought us to these incredible rock formations. Good signage provided information on the sights along the walk.
Not accessible but an easy walk with stairs. Picnic tables at the parking area.
Definitely a not to be missed adventure if nature and geology are your interests.
3. Highland Scenic Highway
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 86 reviews
Reviewed By Hamelia - Columbus, Ohio
This is a gorgeous stretch of road stretching 21 miles on S.R. 39/55 from Richwood to the Cranberry Mountain Visitor Center, and another 22 miles on S. R. 150 from the Visitor Center to U.S. Rte. 219 north of Marlinton. The Route 150 section is particularly beautiful and serene, with 4 overlooks and various other reasons to stop. My husband and I spent the better part of 2 days exploring this area and would like to do more. For starters, Cranberry Glades is a fascinating botanical hotspot, and when we were there we saw several species of blooming orchids, as well as blooming pitcher plants (not native, but successful here after being transplanted some years ago). The Visitor Center is definitely worth a stop and has informative exhibits (including a guide to identifying all kinds of scat - sort of a Poopalooza), a herpetology collection, small gift shop, information, water and restrooms, as well as a woodland nature trail and picnic tables.
Besides the boardwalk at Cranberry Glades, we took several other delightful walks along the way. Along Rte. 150 was the short stroll through the Honeycomb Rocks, located 1.3 miles east of the Williams River Bridge. Fascinating and scenic - don’t miss it. We walked the only-slightly-longer trail to the Cranberry Glades Overlook, located (counterintuitively) on the east side of Rte. 150, which was particularly fun after our walk on the Glades boardwalk the day before, as it gave us overall perspective of the site. For longer - though still short - hikes, we also took the High Rock trail, about 3 miles roundtrip, starting a bit south of the Glades Overlook, and leading via a very gentle grade to a viewpoint over the valleys to the east. And on the Rte. 39/55 section, we hiked to all 3 of the Falls of Hills Creek - the first (upper) falls is barely visible from the trail, and so was disappointing, but the trail offers fabulous viewpoints of the other two falls, a 1.5 mile roundtrip walk with a descent/climb of 220 feet, all of it on well-maintained, wide trail or stairs.
My complaint about the Highway is that there doesn’t seem to be a comprehensive, overall source of information about its attractions. To ferret out the day-hikes available took some doing, and the parking areas/trailheads are NOT well marked as you drive along. Some of them, such as the short walk Honeycomb Rocks, have room for only a couple of cars at trailhead. Don’t expect things to be as clear as they are on the Blue Ridge Parkway, by any means. However, it’s worth digging out the information, because it’s a beautiful area, and we’d like to return to walk some more of the trails in the future.
4. Cranberry Glades
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 63 reviews
Part of the Monongahela National Forest where a large number of northern plants, animals and birds dwell.
Reviewed By MoseleyPaddler - Moseley
The boardwalk through the glades was in great shape and a great way to see the glades. It appeared very dry - would like to come back when it's wet.
5. Watoga State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 57 reviews
Largest of all the state parks in West Virginia, Watoga has over 10,000 acres of sprawling woodland filled with a multitude of recreational opportunities. Camping at Watoga is unsurpassed anywhere. The 11-acre lake, which was previously Lake Killibuck, is used for paddle-boating, row-boating and fishing. Cast your line to fetch a trout, bass, bluegill or even catfish! Don’t worry, if you fail to catch dinner at the lake - there is a restaurant on the property which serves tasty meals. There are over 15 miles of road and 40 miles of hiking paths for enjoying the quiet beauty of the park.
Reviewed By KW353 - Blue Grass, Virginia
Just visited Watoga for the first time -- what a hiker's paradise. In the Arboretum, I walked up Dragon's Draft and then down half of the Honeybee trail. I had the forest to myself (except for chipmunks and one little bear). Without the occasional jet flying overhead, I could have been hiking through a fairytale. From mossy streams to lofty ridges, it was a varied and gorgeous experience. There's some scrambling over rocks so wear sturdy shoes -- my walking stick came in handy too. Long pants will protect you from the brambles in some sections. Autumn is a great time to hike, but fallen leaves can make paths hard to follow. That's not a problem at Watoga, thanks to the perfectly blazed trails. I also appreciated the clean restroom in the picnic areas, and the great visitor's center where you can get free WiFi and detailed trail maps. For me, Watoga was an outstanding day trip. If you live farther away, then you're in luck too, because the park has ample campground and cabin options.
6. Cranberry Mountain Nature Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 36 reviews
The Cranberry Mountain Nature Center has many interesting features that appeal to visitors of all ages and backgrounds. The exhibit hall features many interactive displays which are both educational and entertaining to young and old alike. The auditorium offers short films on request on topics, such as Smokey Bear Story, Jewels of the Monongahela, Cranberry Glades, wildflowers, and many others. The nature center is host to several popular events during the open season. Kids Night activities include live snake shows, educational programs, magic shows, wildlife presentations, games and visits by Smokey Bear.
Reviewed By travelwriter52 - Conyers, GA
I visited and there is a very nice animal exhibit, a small museum, and gift shop. There are free brochures available for local attractions. Also an exhibit of live snakes. Small but nice.
7. Seneca State Forest
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 16 reviews
Oldest of West Virginia's state forests, Seneca borders the beautiful Greenbrier River in Pocahontas County. The forest offers pioneer guest cabins; four(4) acre lake for trout, bass and bluegill fishing; small campground and 11,684 acres of lush woodlands for hiking, hunting or communing with nature. The lake and forest are named after the Indian tribe which once roamed the area. Seneca's large size and modest development make it a great place to find peace and solitude.
Reviewed By Sybil_Fawlty - Buckingham, United Kingdom
We stopped here having bought a picnic in Marlinton and found a well appointed picnic area just off the road kitted out with some undercover areas, BBQs and proper parking bays. There was the occasional vehicle going up the road but that was the only noise apart from the birds in the forest - sounded to me like turkeys.
There is also a road down to Seneca Lake which is very pretty. There are cabins for hire next to the lake which would be idyllic
8. Marlinton Railroad Depot
Overall Ratings
4 based on 10 reviews
The C&O Railroad 1868-1873) linked Huntington with Richmond, VA opening up southern West Virginia to industrialization. The depot is over 100 years old and listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as Marlinton's Visitor's Center.
Reviewed By No-Central - Newport News, Va
Quaint railroad mountain town crossroads beside the Greenbrier River. Enjoy dining at the riverside restaurant which serves great fish. Enjoy watching wild ducks by the river while dining on the deck. Vintage town offers a good value-priced base when skiing at Snowshoe.
9. Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 7 reviews
Whether you come to Pocahontas County to slow down and unwind by a quiet river, celebrate our heritage, or challenge yourself in the great outdoors, you will find it all in Nature's Mountain Playground! From unmatched outdoor recreation and world-class resorts, to breathtaking scenery and a variety of cultural and historic attractions, find out everything you need to know to plan your trip to West Virginia.Open 8:30am to 5pm daily
Reviewed By Shirley J - Boones Mill, Virginia
We stopped in just as they were opening one morning. The staff was very friendly and helpful. We also got some brochures that we had not been able to find else where.
10. Pocahontas Times Print Shop
Overall Ratings
5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By Photo-ops2012 - Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
What a great find as we walked around town. The owner gave us a brief history of the press that has been in her family for a long time. It is no longer working as modern technology has stepped in but the many nuts and bolts of a time gone by proved to be very interesting. The shop also has trinkets and books for sell as well as other used treasures. Local jelly and maple syrup too :)
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