Seneca Rocks WVA

As fall starts to creep in, I can't help but get excited for one camping trip in particular. The last two years we've gone to Seneca Rocks, WVA and it has come to be one of my favorite places. The first year we caught some truly gorgeous trees in mid-leaf change, and while I don't consider myself a leaf-peeper (or any kind of peeper for that matter) the seasonal change was lovely to see. The second year, we got a bit of a later start, and missed most of the fall foliage, although we had decent weather on our side, with an early snow shower the last day of our trip. I'm a bit of a turbo-wuss in terms of freezing temperatures, and thankfully had much more appropriate gear with me the second year we went. I'm used to summer camping and borderline-uncomfortable balmy tent conditions, and it's a nice change of pace to be a little chilly, although it took some getting used to, and some upgrades in gear were oh so necessary. The best part of our second trip for me was that we brought our dogs. Travelling with pets always adds a few more steps in preparation and planning, but sharing the outdoor experience with them is something that, while at times makes planning a little more complicated, means everything to me in the world. Our friend Jay brought his dog Riley, a lab-shepherd mix, who is very sweet and just a little bit stark raving bonkers, and we brought Zoey who was just a little gal at the time. Riley finally settled in to his new surroundings, for the most part, and seized fewer and fewer opportunities to jump into any car with an open door. Zoey chewed through her second zip-lead (in record time) but luckily we had a back-up. The trail to the top of Seneca Rocks is a fairly easy hike, although if you have a dog with any health concerns such as old leg injuries it's best to plan on taking a few breaks along the way, as the footing isn't always stable, and could agravate stiff or unsturdy joints. Older dogs, or those with a history of pad sensitivity or sores may need to forgo the trail totally, although there are lots of open areas and streams to walk along and enjoy which are safer and more accessible for senior dogs or those with health concerns. There are tons of camping sites in the area, and we've chosen to stay along the river both years. There are some nice amenities which take just a smidge of the roughing it out of roughing it such as a bath and shower house as well as a nice gentleman who sells firewood off the back of his pickup each evening. After a long day of outdoor activities, there is nothing better than a meal cooked over a fire, smores, and a couple of beers. We discovered the Mountaineer Brewing Company's brews in Harper's General Store in downtown Seneca Rocks and their offerings are quite good and reasonably priced. Try their Nut Brown, Red Ale, and Blonde Lager. Seneca Rocks is a scenic and welcoming town, and I can't wait to get back again with John, Zoey, and the gang for another camping trip.