Spanning an impressive 100,000 acres, the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area is home to some of the Mountain State’s most iconic spots, jaw-dropping views and thrilling adventures. Escape to this slice of Almost Heaven for just 48 hours and experience unmatched natural beauty paired with world-class outdoor recreation. Spruce Knob Catch incomparable Almost Heaven views atop Spruce Knob, West Virginia’s highest point. From magnificent sunrises to stunning sunsets, it’s hard to beat the 360-degree panoramic views reached from a climb up the Spruce Knob Observation Tower at nearly 5,000 feet high. Take breaths of fresh mountain air while hiking or biking the area’s available 75 miles of spruce-lined trails, many of which lead to astonishing overlooks. Keep an eye out for wildlife along the way, such as Black Bear, rabbits, porcupine, hawks, falcons, eagles and more. Learn about the history of this location by stopping to read the scattered information boards or enjoy a lovely packed lunch at one of the secluded picnic sites. Seneca Rocks Reach new heights with a fearless climb up one of the state’s most well-known landmarks,  Seneca Rocks . Ascending nearly 900 feet, this magnificent formation has become a beloved destination amongst rock climbers worldwide. Learn the basics of scaling a peak from an experienced  mountain guide  with a lesson on-site or find yourself on top after a 1.3-mile uphill hike. Tackle the summit with a guided horseback ride from  Yokum’s Seneca Rock Stables . For those more comfortable on the ground, the  Seneca Rocks Discovery Center  also provides a majestic view of the rocks with no climb required. Explore the area on two wheels with mountain biking trails ranging in skill levels of all kinds.

June 19, 2023 West Virginia continues to outpace the nation in expansion of the state tourist economy. As this trend continues, Pendleton and surrounding counties use creative measures to not only attract tourists to scenic locations, but steer visitors to tourist friendly businesses. The heart of the On the Rocks Craft Beverage Trail lies in Pendleton County. Swilled Dog operates a state of the art distillery and tasting room at the industrial park in Upper Tract while Dry Run Spirits Distillery follows local agricultural traditions that go back nearly two and a quarter centuries in the region. Northwest of Upper Tract sits the northern terminus of the trail at Still Hollow in Harman. To the southeast is Big Fish Cider of Monterrey, Virginia. Connecting Pendleton County to neighboring counties that focused on tourism served as one of the main goals of the project. As Amber Nesselrodt, executive director of the Pendleton County Convention and Visitors Bureau explains, “it started last year as a collective effort between economic development authorities, CVBs, and the distilleries.” She added that “it’s important to keep forging these kinds of relationships.” Though a 2020 Robert C. Byrd Institute study examined the possibility of a major craft beverage trail effort linking counties in and around Charleston and Huntington, On the Rocks remains the only craft beverage trail established in the Mountain State. On April 20, Swilled Dog celebrated its fourth year of official business operations. As Kim Kirk, chief experience manager, noted, “it’s an important milestone to celebrate how far we have come in four years.” Swilled Dog’s crafted beverages date back to initial efforts with cider starting in 2010. Six years later, the family transformed their basement into a cidery. By 2017, the product was ready for sale to the public. Today, Swilled Dog welcomes locals and tourists alike to its distillery and tasting room. Rich dark wood walls, comfortable leather furniture, and other amenities keep visitors in the mindset of visiting a cozy and intimate space. This space, however, can seat over a hundred people for major events like the Pendleton County Chamber of Commerce dinner. VIEW FULL STORY COVERED BY STEPHEN SMOOT

In January, the U.S. Forest Service announced that the 2023 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree would come from the Monongahela National Forest. Last week, the Pendleton County Convention and Visitors Bureau shared that Pendleton County is one of the finalists to provide the tree that will adorn the West Lawn of the United States Capitol. Even if the red spruce used to celebrate the Christmas season does not come from Pendleton County, however, it will come to the area. “It’s going to bring the community together,” said Amber Nesselrodt, executive director of the Pendleton County Convention and Visitors Bureau. She added that “it’s been narrowed down to three. Pendleton is one.” She also explained that, due to security concerns, the location of the three finalists remains a closely guarded secret. The forest service selected “Endlessly Wild and Wonderful” as the theme of the year. Governor Jim Justice said in the USFS release on the tree, “it’s an honor to have a tree from our backyard selected as the official 2023 U. S. Capitol Christmas Tree.” He also said, “This shines a positive light on West Virginia and I am thrilled in every way.”