Camping near Cass Scenic Railroad

[Shadow Catcher]

We are planning a trip to and on the Cass scenic Railroad next August and looking to make it a camping trip with the tear. WHITTAKER CAMPGROUND seem to be the closest, any other suggestions?

[les45]

Sleeper car on the train?...just kidding I swear its a joke..slow.

Actually, there is a caboose at the top of the mountain (end of the line) that you can rent for an overnight stay. It has no amenities so you are essentially boondocking. Might be an interesting addition to your camping adventure and the train ride. The train ride is well worth the trip.

[jandmz]

In addition to the caboose, you can also stay in the old company houses in Cass.

Unfortunately, we didn't camp during our trip to Cass. There is a ski resort near Cass called Snowshoe. In the off season, you can get rooms at the resort.

[ae6black]

Where is this Cass scenic railroad at?

Art

[jandmz]

Where is this Cass scenic railroad at?

Art

Cass, West Virginia. It is east of Charleston, but there is no direct route. It is near the Snowshoe Ski Resort. Take I-64 east from Charleston and cut north on US 219 near White Sulfur Springs. Cut east on SR 66 past Snowshoe to Cass. It is a state park that includes an old logging town and the ruins of the old sawmill. The Shay locomotives are unique in that the steam cylinders are mounted vertically on the side frame rails and drive shafts that drive all the wheels so they can climb steep grades.

[daveesl77]

We now live about 20 miles from Cass in Marlinton, wv. Cass is such a cool place! There are tons of places to camp around here. You are also welcome to drop by and we'll "git ya'll some vittles" (see, I'm going from being southern to being more southern).

You can stay in the buildings at Cass, but if wanting to camp there are better places than the one you mentioned. I'll put together a list for you, if you want. If you ride bikes, then the Greenbrier River Trail is great. 78 miles long, right next to the river, very flat and beautiful. If you canoe/kayak/fish then the Greenbrier River is also there. About 15 miles from Cass is the Greenbank Radio Observatory, the main dish is the largest, moveable, controllable thing on the planet. It is also why we have almost no cell coverage, which I love.

If you want to just get away, there are some great national forest campgrounds about 15 miles from Cass, no hookups, but nice streams and beautiful forest. Watoga State Park is about 35 miles south of Cass, has both cabins and campsites. Seneca State Forest campground is maybe 10 miles from Cass. Seneca Shadows Nat'l Forest campground is about 50 miles north and really interesting. About 30 miles west is the start of the Highlands Scenic Highway, just stunning and some small camping areas throughout the 40+ mile drive.





dave

[les45]

Also, if it's not too far out of your way, go see the New River Gorge bridge and then go to Hawk's Nest State Park and take the tram down to the river where you can ride a jet boat through the rapids all the way back up to the big bridge.

[Ottsville]

Mystery Hole in Ansted. Best $7 you'll ever spend

http://www.mysteryhole.com/hourscontactus.html

[daveesl77]

We did about a 4 hour drive today, from Marlinton to Greenbank Observatory, to Cass and back. Here are 3 timelapse videos on the entire trip. Turn on the close captions to see the subtitles.
About 12 miles from Cass is the Seneca forest campground. Just a beautiful location. 10 sites, all really big. cost is $17 per night. No electric, vault toilet and pump water. But a great place to stay. Come on a Monday and nobody is there. This video was taken the day after memorial day. Nobody at the picnic area, a few people at the lake and nobody camping.

Marlinton to Greenbank


Greenbank to Cass


Cass to Marlinton


dave

[Shadow Catcher]

Thanks all.
Cass also has a Heisler and Climax all built to compete with the Shay built by the Lima Locomotive works. All are geared and designed for logging and particularly the Shay sounds like it is going 60 when it is going 6. My wife and I rode behind a Shay on the West Side and Cherry Valley railroad 45 years ago.