FAQ

Your Questions, Answered

Who Can Climb

Almost anyone can climb, including children. If you have specific questions about ages or special needs feel free to email us.

info@climbseneca.com

Where to Eat

Multi-pitch traditional rock climbing burns lots of calories and leaves climbers in need of a large meal, and usually a frosty adult beverage. Many climbers enjoy the post climb meal almost as much as any other part of traditional rock climbing life. There are a number of good restaurants in the Seneca Rocks area to gorge oneself and even out the calorie deficit.

  • Harper’s Front Porch Restaurant is a staple of the traditional rock climber’s diet at Seneca Rocks. Joe and Caroline Harper run a great operation and pride themselves in the pizza their restaurant serves. In addition to the great food Harper’s Restaurant has the front porch, a covered, outdoor eating area with incredible views of the rock. The stairs up to Harper’s Front Porch Restaurant are literally spit’n distance from Seneca Rocks Climbing School. Joe and Caroline do not serve alcohol in their restaurant but you can bring it with you, and they have an excellent selection of beer down stairs in Harper’s Old Country Store. Harper’s Front Porch Restaurant is open for lunch and dinner.

  • Yokum’s Diner is located half a mile north of Seneca Rocks on US 58. The most popular fare here is the Yokum Burger, which can put a good dent in a traditional rock climber’s hunger at the end of a long day. Yokum’s diner is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Yokum’s does not serve alcohol but has it to go.

  • The Macksville Mart is located 1.25 miles south of Seneca Rocks on US 33/28. From the outside it looks like just another gas station, but inside you can get a breakfast biscuit or sandwich, which are staples amongst the guides here. It is easy to tag breakfast and a sandwich without busting the budget. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner.

  • Gateway Restaurant is located 8 miles south of Seneca Rocks on US 33/28. This is a clean diner with good food and reasonable prices. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Gateway does not serve alcohol.

  • Hellbender Burritos is well worth the drive. Located in the town of Davis, WV Hellbender Burritos serves “unique burritos in a unique atmosphere”. All Seneca regulars should make a trip here at least once regardless of whether or not it’s on their way home (chances are that first trip won’t be the last).

  • Food is important, but beer is a necessity, Mountain State fills that basic need in the Seneca area. They don’t serve food but do host bands regularly. We never have a big party at Seneca without a keg of their Seneca IPA.

  • Located just down the road from Mountain State Brewing Company in Thomas, WV, The Purple Fiddle provides two of the most important needs to the traditional rock climber, beer and food. But they go a step further and provide a third crucial human need, great live music. The Purple Fiddle hosts lots of great shows most days of the week and is truly a unique jewel of rural West Virginia.

Weather

  • Even though Seneca Rocks is only 2600 feet tall, we are surrounded by Spruce Knob, Dolly Sods and North Fork Mountain which range from 3800 to 4800 feet. Combine these with the interconnecting valleys, and you have a series of speed bumps and sluice runs that can fend off weather or help channel it away when it does arrive. When we do have rain events, they are normally short enough that we still get a solid day of climbing in because, unlike most climbing areas, Seneca Rocks is a large fin with vertical bedding that helps quickly drain water away.

  • We generally dismiss anything under 30%. In fact, 30% seems to be the default forecast for our area almost all summer. This often results in people missing out on beautiful days where it never rains. If you do decide to consult the world wide web, pay attention to the details. 0.08” of rain still shows up as rain on the weather icon. As we like to say around here, the last time the weatherman had to be right was on the final exam, and then he only needed a “D.” If you have questions or concerns about the weather, call us.

Where to Stay

Seneca Rocks is the weekend crag for many climbing communities, including those in Washington, DC and Pittsburgh, PA. It is possible to day trip from close cities like Washington DC, but most choose to spend the night when rock climbing at Seneca Rocks. There are many options in the area, some close enough to be seen from the South Peak of Seneca.

Here you will find links and phone numbers for campgrounds, hostels, motels and vacation cabins. The lodging amenities have come a long way since the days of the old Forest Service campground along Roy Gap Road.

  • This campground is in Monongahela National Forrest. It has walk-in sites, which feature raised platforms for tents, picnic tables, and fire rings as well as a nice view of the west face of Seneca. Seneca Shadows also has group camp sites and RV hook-ups. The shower facilities are clean and this campground is situated on a hill above town so you tend not to hear any traffic. (304) 567-3082

  • This campground is just north of town on the far side of Seneca Creek. It has two bath houses and two open air pavilions spread out over several grassy acres with fire rings and picnic tables throughout. If you have a group or forgot your tent the “Indian Village” offers a unique West Virginia camping experience. Campers pick whatever plot of field looks best and set up shop. This campground tends to be the regular hang out. On a weekend it’s not unusual to find many climbers from the Pittsburgh or Washington, DC rock climbing communities here. Princess Snowbird is the least expensive of the options for individual campers. (304) 567-2351

  • This is the new campground in the area. Its located 15 miles south of Seneca on US 28.

  • The Yokums own and operate two of the three local motels. The motel above the store is the one in the middle of town and right across the street from SRCS. (304) 567-2351

  • Harman’s North Fork Cabins offer very nice, quiet accommodations on the banks of the Potomac River just a few miles north of Seneca Rocks. The cabins are consistently clean and the staff friendly. The Harman’s property is beautiful and protected from road noise. This is also a great place for avid fisherman to stay. (800) 436-6254

  • These cabins are the only ones in the area that can allow users to access the rocks and Seneca Rocks Climbing School without driving. We regularly recommend that clients stay in the new cabins next to the old Seneca Elementary School. (304) 567-2351

What to Bring

  • What and how much to bring clearly depends on the time of year, but don’t forget, we are in the mountains here. Spruce Knob to our south has seen snow in August before. For all of our rock climbing courses we recommend comfortable clothing that is non-restrictive. Synthetic materials that dry quickly and wick moisture away from the skin are preferred. Rain jackets are a must every day. If nothing else, they work well as a windbreaker if the wind picks up.

  • We regularly tell people to bring two liters of water and they show up with two 16oz bottles. Don’t be that person. If you’re not into the whole metric thing, bring two quarts of water with you per person. CamelBak type bladders are fine too; just make sure it has a shutoff valve. Three liters per person, per day, may be appropriate for the height of summer.

    Don’t underestimate the amount of food needed for the day. You will be burning a lot of calories while climbing and you need to replace them. Having enough food can make the difference between getting in extra pitches and coming down early. There are many energy bars, blocks and electrolyte mixes available at The Gendarme climbing shop here, so make sure you have lots to snack on throughout the day in addition to that sandwich from The Macksville Mart.

    • Day pack that can hold all your food, water and gear (can be supplied by SRCS

    • Wind/rain jacket

    • 2+ liters (quarts) of water

    • Fleece/wool sweater

    • Lunch (can be bought locally, but please do so before you meet for your course)

    • Additional snacks, bars, energy blocks, jerky

    • Camera (optional) Phones these days take great photos, but dropping one off the cliff will do more than crack the screen. Your call.

    • Non-restrictive clothing (jeans not recommended)

    • Closed toe shoes (no sandals/flip-flops)

    • Sunglasses (with retention strap)

    • Sunscreen

  • SRCS provides all necessary equipment for our rock climbing courses. Many participants want to bring their own equipment and are welcome to do so, but our instructor will need to inspect it and make sure it is adequate and appropriate for this type of climbing. Those shoes that allow you to send V whatever at the gym are not going to be ideal for all day, multi pitch climbing. All nylon climbing equipment such as harnesses and slings should be less than 7 years old and free of major signs of wear or UV degradation. All metal equipment should be in good working order with smooth operating/moving parts and free of any wear grooves.

  • Just use common sense, and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact us:

    • Call us at (304) 567-2600, or

    • Email us at info@climbseneca.com

Directions

    • Take I-66 West.

    • Merge onto I-81 South via Exit 1A on the left towards Roanoke.

    • Take Rt. 55 West (Exit 296) ramp towards Wardensville, WV.

    • Stay on Rt. 55 though the town of Moorefiled, WV and on to Petersburg, WV.

    • In Petersburg, Rt. 55 will merge with (turn right on) Rt. 28.

    • Follow 55/28 to Seneca Rocks.

    • The climbing school is tucked back between the big brown building (Yokums) and the big white building (Harpers) and just beyond The Gendarme Climbing Shop.

    • Take I-77 South to Parkersburg, WV

    • Take Rt. 50 East (exit 176) to I-79 South.

    • Take Exit 99 (Rt. 33)
to Rt. 33 East and stay on 33 East all the way to Seneca Rocks.

    • The road will meander through the town of Elkins, WV so make sure you pay attention.

    • Don’t worry, there are plenty of signs to help you out along the way.

    • The climbing school is tucked back between the big brown building (Yokums) and the big white building (Harpers) and just beyond The Gendarme Climbing Shop.

  • Take I-79 South to Exit 99(Rt.33) Take Rt. 33 East and stay on 33 East all the way to Seneca Rocks, however, the road will meander through the town of Elkins, WV so make sure you pay attention. Don’t worry, there are plenty of signs to help you out along the way. The climbing school is tucked back between the big brown building (Yokums) and the big white building (Harpers) and just beyond The Gendarme Climbing Shop.

    • Take I-64 West to Staunton, VA.

    • Take I –81 North to Harrisonburg.

    • Exit 247B- Rt. 33 West

    • Stay on Rt. 33 West, up and over the Shenandoah, through the town of Franklin, WV, and on to Seneca Rocks.

    • The climbing school is tucked back between the big brown building (Yokums) and the big white building (Harpers) and just beyond The Gendarme Climbing Shop.

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