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Rail-trails, limestone caves, gentle river paddling

Greenbrier Valley

The Greenbrier Valley sits on Greenbrier limestone, producing karst topography: sinkholes, springs, sinking streams and extensive cave systems, several with more than forty miles of surveyed passage. On the surface, the Greenbrier River Trail runs 78 miles along an abandoned Chesapeake and Ohio logging grade with a gradient under one percent. The Greenbrier River itself is Class I to II for most of its length and is the state's most common beginner canoe and kayak water.

37.9°N, 80.4°W 78 mi greenbrier river trailHundreds mapped cave milesClass I–II river difficulty

The Greenbrier Valley is the least physically demanding region in the state. The bedrock is limestone rather than sandstone, the terrain is open pasture rather than narrow hollow, and the main trail runs 78 miles at under one percent grade.

The valley also sits on several cave systems with more than forty miles of surveyed passage each, most of which require grotto affiliation to enter.

Our recommendations

What we'd do here

One day here

Beartown boardwalk in the morning, the Droop Mountain tower for the valley view, an afternoon floating the Greenbrier, and dinner in Lewisburg.

Practical note

Pocahontas County sits inside the National Radio Quiet Zone. Your phone will not work for large parts of this region, and that is a legal restriction rather than a coverage gap. Plan navigation offline.

Signature places

  • Greenbrier River Trail — 78 miles, 35 bridges, 2 tunnels, end to end in three days
  • Cave country: among the most significant karst in the eastern United States
  • Cass Scenic Railroad and Bald Knob, the state's second-highest point
  • Watoga, Droop Mountain and Beartown state parks
  • Green Bank and the National Radio Quiet Zone — the darkest skies in the East
  • Warm-water fly fishing for smallmouth on the Greenbrier

Where to base yourself

Itineraries in this region

What this region does best

Also here: Birding · Horseback Riding · Cross-Country Skiing · Outdoor Photography

Every place we cover here

19 named destinations in this region.

Trail · Greenbrier Valley

Greenbrier River Trail

Seventy-eight miles from Cass to Caldwell on a former Chesapeake & Ohio logging grade, crossing 35 bridges and passing through 2 tunnels, following the Greenbrier River the entire way.

78 mi length35 bridges
State Park · Greenbrier Valley

Watoga State Park

West Virginia's largest state park at over 10,100 acres, built largely by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

10,100 ac largest state park1930s ccc-built
State Park · Greenbrier Valley

Beartown State Park

A half-mile boardwalk through a formation of large Droop Sandstone blocks separated by deep crevasses, some of which hold ice into early summer.

110 ac park0.5 mi boardwalk
National Forest · Greenbrier Valley

Cranberry Glades Botanical Area

The largest area of bogs in West Virginia — sphagnum and cranberry peat bogs holding plant communities left behind after the last glaciation, more typical of Canada than the mid-Atlantic, including carnivorous sundews and pitcher plants.

750 ac glades0.5 mi boardwalk
National Forest · Greenbrier Valley

Falls of Hills Creek

Three waterfalls in three-quarters of a mile, dropping 25, 45 and 63 feet — the last is the second-highest waterfall in West Virginia.

63 ft lower falls3 waterfalls
National Forest · Greenbrier Valley

Highland Scenic Highway

A 43-mile National Scenic Byway climbing over 4,500 feet across the Allegheny plateau between Richwood and US 219, with four major overlooks and access to Cranberry Glades, the Falls of Hills Creek and the Cranberry Wilderness.

43 mi byway4,500+ ft high point
Wilderness · Greenbrier Valley

Cranberry Wilderness

47,815 acres of second-growth northern hardwood and red spruce on the high plateau — the largest wilderness in West Virginia.

47,815 ac wildernessUnblazed by design
State Park · Greenbrier Valley

Cass Scenic Railroad State Park

A preserved company logging town and a working fleet of Shay geared steam locomotives that climb the original grades to Whittaker Station and on to Bald Knob — at 4,842 feet the second-highest point in West Virginia, reachable by train.

4,842 ft bald knobShay locomotives
Overlook · Greenbrier Valley

Green Bank Observatory

The world's largest fully steerable radio telescope, at the center of the National Radio Quiet Zone — a 13,000-square-mile area where radio transmissions are restricted by law.

485 ft telescope height13,000 sq mi quiet zone
Cave · Greenbrier Valley

Lost World Caverns

A commercial show cave outside Lewisburg, entered by a long stairway into a single enormous chamber holding the 28-foot Snowy Chandelier stalactite.

28 ft snowy chandelier120 ft below surface
Cave · Greenbrier Valley

Organ Cave

One of the longest caves in the United States, with more than forty miles of mapped passage, and a national historic landmark for its Civil War saltpeter mining works — over thirty original hoppers survive underground.

40+ mi mapped passage37 saltpeter hoppers
Cave · Greenbrier Valley

Friars Hole Cave System

Among the longest cave systems in the United States, with more than forty-five miles of surveyed passage under Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties.

45+ mi surveyedRestricted access
National Forest · Greenbrier Valley

Blue Bend Recreation Area

A CCC-built swimming area on Anthony Creek in the Monongahela National Forest, with a deep green pool below a stone-walled beach, a campground and a loop trail up onto the ridge.

1930s ccc-builtAnthony Creek water
State Forest · Greenbrier Valley

Seneca State Forest

West Virginia's oldest state forest, 11,684 acres along the Greenbrier River with rustic CCC cabins that have no electricity, a fire tower rentable as lodging, and a quiet trail network.

11,684 ac forest1924 established
State Park · Greenbrier Valley

Moncove Lake State Park

A small park in Monroe County built around a 144-acre lake with warm-water fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish, plus a swimming pool.

144 ac parkWarm water fishery
State Park · Greenbrier Valley

Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park

The site of the largest Civil War battle fought in West Virginia and the state's oldest state park, with a lookout tower over the Greenbrier Valley, short trails and a museum.

1863 battle1928 park established
State Forest · Greenbrier Valley

Greenbrier State Forest

Just outside White Sulphur Springs, adjoining the Monongahela National Forest, with cabins, a campground, a swimming pool and trails climbing Kate's Mountain.

5,130 ac forestKate's Mountain ridge
State Forest · Greenbrier Valley

Calvin Price State Forest

An undeveloped forest adjoining Watoga State Park to the south, with no facilities and minimal trail marking.

9,482 ac forestUndeveloped facilities
Golf Course · Greenbrier Valley

The Greenbrier

A resort in White Sulphur Springs operating since 1778, with several courses including the Old White TPC, the Greenbrier Course and the Meadows.

1778 resort foundedOld White TPC signature course

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Local outfitters, lodging and shuttles

Regional placement for operators based in or serving the Greenbrier Valley. Capped at three per page.

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Questions about the Greenbrier Valley

What is the Greenbrier Valley known for?
The Greenbrier Valley is the least physically demanding region in the state. The bedrock is limestone rather than sandstone, the terrain is open pasture rather than narrow hollow, and the main trail runs 78 miles at under one percent grade.
What can you do here in one day?
Beartown boardwalk in the morning, the Droop Mountain tower for the valley view, an afternoon floating the Greenbrier, and dinner in Lewisburg.
Which counties are in this region?
Greenbrier, Monroe, Pocahontas, Summers.
Where should I base a trip here?
Lewisburg, Marlinton, Cass, Ronceverte, Union, Hillsboro.

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