Seneca State Forest
Hannah V.
Reviewed Oct. 30, 2017

65ft Up in the Sky

We booked the Thorny Mountain Fire Tower two months in advance, it is pretty popular, so if you want to stay there you will have to book it in advance. It is $75 a night, which is pricey, but is well worth it.

To get to the fire tower you will want to take the Loop Road, it is gravel and there are pot holes on the edges of the road so you will want to be careful of those. The fire tower is secluded, so you will not have to worry about neighbors or noise while staying there. At the base of the tower there is a fire pit, picnic table, and a pit toilet. The toilet is part of a small shed that has already split wood on the other side for you to use. But no electrical hookups at the base or in the tower. They do have a shower house behind the rangers station, it is very nice and clean. The website says the tower can house up to four people, however, there are only two cots, so you will want to bring sleeping mats if you plan on having more than two people. The 360 degree views are breathtaking. One night we had two different storm systems blow through the mountains and the lightning show was amazing to watch. You will definitely want to watch a sunrise as well, absolutely stunning.

Seneca State Forest is one of the oldest forest in West Virginia, it has a small pond/lake you can fish at and even take small boats onto. They have plenty of hiking trails, which also allow mountain biking on most. They have cabins on the lake for rent as well and have plenty of tent camping spots.

SiteFire tower
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Seneca State Forest by Hannah V., October 30, 2017
  • Review photo of Seneca State Forest by Hannah V., October 30, 2017
  • Review photo of Seneca State Forest by Hannah V., October 30, 2017
  • Review photo of Seneca State Forest by Hannah V., October 30, 2017
  • Review photo of Seneca State Forest by Hannah V., October 30, 2017
  • Review photo of Seneca State Forest by Hannah V., October 30, 2017
  • Review photo of Seneca State Forest by Hannah V., October 30, 2017
  • Review photo of Seneca State Forest by Hannah V., October 30, 2017
  • Review photo of Seneca State Forest by Hannah V., October 30, 2017
  • Review photo of Seneca State Forest by Hannah V., October 30, 2017
  • Review photo of Seneca State Forest by Hannah V., October 30, 2017