The town of Cabins, WV has been given plenty of names in the past, including Corner, Corners, and Hyre’s Rock. This tiny town is nestled within the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area of the Monongahela National Forest. It is home to the family-owned resort and fishing outfitters of Smokehole, named after the caverns located about 2 miles up the road.
The resort boasts of its homey cabins bordering the south branch of the Potomac River, with its own catch-and-release streams and catch-and-keep pond. Unfortunately during our stay, the pond was not currently stocked as the state had experienced a drought the previous year. With it being sort of an off season and in between river stocking times, we were the only couple at the resort though. We were able to enjoy a bubble bath in the heart-shaped jacuzzi tub, a crackling fireplace, and coffee on the back porch while ducks played in the stream below without a single person in sight. My boyfriend and I checked in over the phone and spent the weekend fishing alone in nearby sections of the river, although we could have scheduled a guided trip via Smokehole Outfitters if we desired. Only one fish was caught and the chilly weather made standing outdoors a bit rough, but the experience was definitely worth it.
An ice storm prevented us from visiting the surrounding areas and caverns during this trip, but a revisit is in the books. The caverns themselves are about 2 miles north of the resort and are open year round for $17 a person. They are accurately named after the clouds of smoke that billowed out of the caverns when Seneca Indians would historically prepare wild game over a fire.
Just a few miles south of the resort is a pull off for Triangle Rock, a natural formation near Dolly Town Road. The area is not labeled, it’s more of a locally known swimming and fishing hole. If you keep going south, you will reach Seneca Rocks and Nelson Rocks, both with spectacular hiking views. Nelson Rocks is a private guided trail and will need to be reserved beforehand. Dolly Sods is another must see during the summer/fall.
There is little cell service in the area, but the resort offers WiFi and some spotty TV if you’d prefer to not be completely off-grid. Petersburg is also just up the road if you’re seeking a good southern Appalachian meal and friendly interaction. My boyfriend took us to Family Traditions restaurant for breakfast and gave the inside scoop on all the small town businesses and people he grew up with.
Definitely stop off on the “Scenic Overlook” near Moorefield to snap a picture from the top of the mound overlooking a bridge and breathtaking mountain scape. If we had more time and safer weather, we would have definitely booked a ride on one of the several train experiences in the area, like Cass Scenic Railroad or the Potomac Flying Eagle. The towns of Thomas and Davis as well as Blackwater Falls make for a lovely outing if you’re a nature and local business lover like myself.
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