Over this past summer, we got the chance to check out Smoke Hole Caverns in West Virginia while visiting my Mom and Step-Dad. Smoke Hole Caverns are privately owned, but the owners have gone all out with this place. It has a massive 2 story gift shop (26,000 sqft to be exact), lodging, mini-golf, and fishing areas. It is also conveniently located to Seneca Rocks.
The Tour
You purchase your tour tickets from inside the gift shop and line up just outside to start the tour.
Once inside you are given a quick history lesson on the caverns while standing in the front section of the caverns where the Seneca Indians use to smoke wild game.
One of the main features of Smoke Hole Caverns is that they have the world’s longest ribbon stalactite.
They also have a crystal cave coral pool filled with golden trout.
Overall, this was a really neat cavern to visit with several unique rooms with formations:
Smoke Hole Caverns Information
HOURS
10 am – 4 pm
COST
$15.00 Adults
$13.50 Senior Citizens/Military Personnel
$10.00 Children (Ages 5 thru 12 years of age)
No Charge for children age 4 and under
Things to Keep in Mind
There are no restaurants in the area, other than a little one located inside a general store by Seneca Rocks. The brochure for Smoke Hole Caverns says that there is a Moonshine Cafe inside the gift shop. We did not see it, or maybe it was closed due to covid (Summer 2021). Best to bring your own food or eat beforehand.
Tours last roughly an hour. Wear a light jacket and comfy walking shoes!
Fun Facts
- The caverns are always 56 degrees
- Early settlers used the caverns to make corn whiskey after the civil war
- Seneca Indians used the caverns to smoke wild game. The smoke would swirl into the valley and was so common that early settlers refered to it as Smoke Hole.
- It has the worlds longest ribbon stalactite
If you like caverns, check out these caverns in New Mexico!
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