About This Park
Take a trip back to an era when steam-driven locomotives were an essential part of everyday life. Trips to Cass Scenic Railroad State Park are filled with rich history, unparalleled views and the sights and sounds of an original lumbering town. The park’s 11-mile long heritage railroad and authentic company town are some of the state’s most popular tourist attractions.
The Company Store and gift shop are open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and are a popular destination that houses The Last Run Restaurant and Soda Fountain. Stop by the visitors center for more information. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The park also features an artisans co-op as well as the Cass Historical Theater and Historical Museum. Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is one of America’s only authentic operating museums of lumber railroading.
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Accommodations
Select an option below to learn more about the accommodations at this park.
Activities
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Biking
Biking
Take in the view and get some exercise while you’re at it! While the park doesn’t have its own hiking and biking trails, a portion of the Greenbrier River Trail can be easily accessed from the park.
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Boating
Boating
Row (or paddle) your way across Watoga State Park’s 11-acre lake! Rentals are available.
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Fishing
Fishing
Fishing in the waters around Cass is one of the park’s most popular activities. The area of Spruce and the Shaver’s Fork of the Cheat River are known as some of the premier fishing areas in the state. Come see what you can catch!
Fishing in Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
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Geocaching
Geocaching
Are you up for an adventure? Take your chances at geocaching and work as a team to find the single hidden cache site at Cass Scenic Railroad State Park. All you need is spirit for adventure and a smartphone with GPS!
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Golf
Golf
Maintain your game at the nearby Snowshoe Mountain Resort. Designed by Gary Player, the 18-hole course is one of West Virginia’s best greens.
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Hiking
Hiking
Take in the view and get some exercise while you’re at it! Walking tours of the Historic Town of Cass are led Tuesday through Sunday at noon and 4 p.m. If you’re looking to hike or bike a trail, a portion of the Greenbrier River Trail can be easily accessed from the park.
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Hunting
Hunting
The vast Monongahela National Forest has numerous hunting opportunities. Typical big and small game include deer, bear, turkey, grouse, and woodcock. Hunting licenses are available online.
Hunting Near Cass Scenic Railroad State Park
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Museums & Historical Sites
Museums & Historical Sites
Discover more about trains at the Cass Historical Museum, open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Exhibits are free. While you’re there, take a guided tour of the locomotive shop. See how engineers repair and maintain the historic Shay locomotives!
After stopping by the museum, take a stroll through the historic logging town of Cass during one of our guided walking tours, scheduled at noon and 4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Cool down at the Cass Historic Theater and watch a documentary about the history of Cass and Cass Scenic Railroad. Showtimes are 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
You also can delve into military history at nearby Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park. The Civil War site has a museum, lookout tower, scenic hiking trails, and occasional reenactments.
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Outdoor Adventures
Outdoor Adventures
The historic logging town of Cass never fails to spark the imagination. Wander solo or visit the park headquarters for the town, historic theater, and maintenance tour times. Other outdoor recreation at Cass includes volleyball and basketball courts, and a children’s playground.
When in our Pocahontas County area visit nearby Watoga State Park, near Marlinton, and Seneca State Forest in Dunmore.
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Scenic Train Rides
Scenic Train Rides
Don’t be the last one on the caboose! Catch a ride on Cass Scenic Railroad State Park’s main attraction, a train ride to the overlook at Bald Knob. Bald Knob is the third highest point in West Virginia, making for a breathtaking views and amazing photos. The Durbin Greenbrier Valley Railroad operates scenic trains from historic downtown, including a 4.5-hour round-trip ride to Bald Knob and a two-hour round-trip excursion to Whittaker Station. Train excursions are available Tuesdays through Sundays, plus several special events throughout the year.
To purchase tickets and view the full schedule, visit mountainrailwv.com
Contact
- Phone: 304-456-4300
- Email: [email protected]
- Address: 12363 Cass Road, Cass, WV 24927
History
The town of Cass remains relatively unchanged since its founding in 1901 by the West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company. Cass was built as a company town for the loggers who worked in the nearby mountains. Construction of the railroad started in 1901. It was used to haul lumber to the mill at Cass. The railroad track was eventually extended to the top of Bald Knob, the third highest mountain peak in West Virginia. In June 1942, the Cass operation was sold to Mower Lumber Company, which operated the town until July 1960, when the mill and railroad were shut down due to rapid decline of the timber industry in the region. In 1961, Cass was brought into the state parks system. In 1977, the company town also was made part of the parks system. Over the years, the railroad was turned into a tourist line and the town was repaired and restored. Today, the railroad is still in full operation, and is managed by the Durbin Greenbrier Valley Railroad.
Scenic Train Rides
Catch a ride on Cass Scenic Railroad State Park’s main attraction, a train ride to the overlook at Bald Knob. Bald Knob is the third highest point in West Virginia, making for a breathtaking views and amazing photos. The Durbin Greenbrier Valley Railroad operates scenic trains from historic downtown, including a 4.5-hour round-trip ride to Bald Knob and a two-hour round-trip excursion to Whittaker Station.
Train excursions are available Tuesdays through Sundays, plus several special events throughout the year.
To purchase tickets and view the full schedule, visit mountainrailwv.com
Dining
The Last Run Restaurant, operated by the Bodkin Sisters, features home cooking, (they’ll even pack lunches for trips up the mountain!). Sandwiches, daily specials and beverages are available at reasonable rates. Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information about meal and dining specials, check out the Last Run Restaurant Facebook page.
During the winter, hours are Thursday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday through Wednesday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. On Monday and Tuesday, the Soda Fountain is open from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. with a hot menu.
The Last Run Restaurant was featured in the “101 Unique Places to Dine” (in West Virginia) in 2009. The Last Run Restaurant also received this honor in 2015! It’s a step back in time with good food and great people preparing it for you. If you’ve not taken time to eat at the Last Run Restaurant, you’re missing an item on your bucket list!
Additional Information
Art and Shopping
Cass has a restaurant and museum, plus shopping at the Company Store and the shops at Leatherbark Ford, featuring handcrafted items and artistry including paintings, needlework, quilts, blacksmithing, baskets, soaps. The artisans co-op is open on Saturdays. Guided tours of the Town of Cass are available, and the park features an intricate diorama of the town when it was a logging community.
Trails
While Cass Scenic Railroad State Park does not have any trails of its own, the Greenbrier River Trail is close by. This 78-mile-long rail trail (operated by the West Virginia state park system) is popular with hikers, bikers and horseback riders.
Nearby Attractions
Beartown State Park
Just an hour south of Cass, Beartown State Park’s natural area expands 107 acres across the eastern summit of Droop Mountain.
Cranberry Glades Botanical Area
Who else can say they toured the largest area of bogs in West Virginia? The U.S. Forest Service conducts spectacular guided tours during the summer months here.
Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park
Experience history like never before at Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park. This is the site of the famous Civil War battle. Visit in October and you can catch a re-enactment!
Greenbrier River Trail
Enjoy nature like never before! Experience a 78-mile- long rail trail operated by the West Virginia State Park system that is a hit with hikers, bikers and horseback riders.
Highland Scenic Highway
Don’t stick to the same old roads! Take a detour on the National Scenic Byway, a beautiful 43-mile corridor through the Monongahela National Forest.
Falls of Hill Creek
Cool off a bit or simply take in the natural beauty! Just off of the Highland Scenic Highway, this popular 114-acre area contains three waterfalls.
Kumbrabow State Forest
At 3,930 feet above sea level, this is the state’s highest forest. It features fully equipped pioneer cabins, campsites, bathhouse, picnic areas and an abundance of wildlife.
Green Bank Observatory
Reach for the stars at Green Bank Observatory! Public tours are available at this advance research facility. Check out the gift shop for cool souvenirs or grab a bite to eat at Starlight Cafe.
Pearl Buck Birthplace
The Pearl S. Buck Birthplace Museum showcases the home in which the Nobel and Pulitzer Prize-winning author was born in 1892.
Seneca State Forest
Enjoy West Virginia’s oldest state forests! With pioneer guest cabins, lake fishing, camping and hiking it has fun waiting for every guest.
Snowshoe Mountain Resort
What could be better than skiing in the winter? Come ski at Snowshoe, a four-season resort that’s especially popular during the winter season.
Spruce Knob State’s Highest Point and Observation Tower Walk
Hike Whispering Spruce Trail and climb the tower for beautiful vistas and observe how vegetation has adapted to this high-elevation environment.
Watoga State Park
Watoga State Park offers 10,100 acres of endless beauty just for you. The park is filled with recreational activities including hiking, swimming fishing and boating and vacation cabins that are open year-round.
Elk Springs Resort
Unwind at this luxurious fishing getaway, where trout are plentiful. Get help from professional guides or load up at the fly shop— the largest in West Virginia.