Smoke Gap Canyon, recognized to the locals as “The Smokes,” seems like a secret out of doors journey hideaway. As you drive into Smoke Gap Canyon Recreation Space, you instantly get the sense of discovery because the 20-mile-long canyon partitions stand up round you and the highway winds with the South Department of the Potomac River in a approach that feels just like the water is main the way in which. 

Nestled inside a 40 sq. mile space of the Monongahela Nationwide Forest and framed by North Fork Mountain and Cave Mountain, Smoke Gap Canyon is a mecca for hikers, bikers, climbers, fishermen, paddlers, tubers, and campers alike. Enter from Smoke Gap Highway from State Route 220 in Pendleton County or from the north on State Route 55 from Grant County. When you’ve discovered this hidden gem, listed below are some adventures available in Smoke Gap Canyon. 

Climbing the Canyon 

There are over 300 established climbs inside Smoke Gap Canyon starting from beginner-friendly to superior sport climbs. Routes are properly bolted with fashionable {hardware} and are unfold out throughout the whole space, which makes discovering them a part of the journey.  

Although there are many spots to select from in The Smokes, a go-to space for climbers is Information Wall. Providing a mixture of trad and sport climbs between its two partitions, Ninja and Sunshine, this climbing space has over 40 routes starting from 5.5 to five.11c graded routes. 

Mountaineering / Biking North Fork Mountain Path 

There are numerous methods to spin your wheels on this space together with some thrilling mountain bike rides off of Smoke Highway and scenic highway rides ranging from the Forman Middle, all with numerous mileage and elevation acquire. Out of all of the biking choices within the space, the North Fork Mountain Path is probably the most adventurous. 

The North Fork Mountain Trail is a 24-mile stretch that travels alongside the western ridge of the canyon, providing one of the crucial dramatic views in West Virginia. There are a number of other ways to trip this difficult path—with probably the most daring using the ridge south to north and descending to the North Fork Mountain trailhead on Smoke Gap Highway. From there they both have a shuttle take them again to North Fork Mountain Fireplace Tower trailhead the place they began, or they make a loop and trip again on Smoke Gap Highway, including 16 miles. 

There are two different trailheads close to the northern finish of the path, Landis and Redman, that give riders the chance to shorten their rides whereas nonetheless providing a difficult and scenic expertise. Beginning at Landis trailhead touring north creates a extra approachable loop of roughly seven miles whereas maintaining the butt-kicking climb side to the trip. 

North Fork Mountain Path can be a preferred climbing and backpacking space. Many hikers tackle the difficult five-mile loop to Chimney Prime close to the north finish of the path, whereas backpackers will take round two days to hike the extreme 24.7 miles. 

Fishing and Paddling the Potomac River

The South Department of the Potomac River flows by means of Smoke Gap and is a basic fishing journey by means of the canyon. Stocked with rainbow and golden trout whereas homing an abundance of native trout, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass this can be a incredible place to moist your line. Smoke Gap Outfitters, Harman’s, and Three Rivers Guiding are all incredible close by guiding providers that provide classes and guided fishing experiences. 

This 16-mile stretch of river can be a shocking space to paddle or float with dramatic canyon options and scorching spots for viewing birds like bald eagles, ospreys, sandpipers, and kingfishers. Nearly all of the rapids on the route are class I-II with a number of class II+ to concentrate on. Water’s Edge Outfitters may help get you on the water with shuttle and information providers together with tube, kayak, and canoe leases. 

Tubing Huge Bend Campground

In case you are in search of a one-stop store for river enjoyable and tenting, you owe it to your self to go to Huge Bend Campground. Because of Mom Nature herself, this part of the river bends into a pointy horseshoe form across the campground, creating the proper tubing part for floaters. No shuttle required— put in on one aspect of the highway, float across the bend, bounce out on the opposite aspect and easily stroll throughout the highway again to the place you initially put in to do all of it once more. It might take wherever from half-hour to an hour to drift across the complete scenic bend and provides a full day’s value of enjoyable.  

Tenting and Sights

Together with Huge Bend Campground, there are nice tenting/lodging choices close to and inside Smoke Gap. Smoke Gap Caverns and Log Cabin Resort is a one cease vacation spot for enjoyable with stunning Appalachian cabins and providing guided fishing and cavern excursions, an enormous reward store, 9-hole putt-putt, and extra. In case you are seeking to pitch a tent, Eagles Rocks Campground, Jess Judy Campground, and Shreve’s Campground are all glorious tenting choices in Smoke Gap Canyon. 

Shreve’s Nation Retailer not solely provides groceries, beer, drinks, ice, bait, fishing provides, interior tubes, and anything chances are you’ll want on a tenting journey, additionally they host reside music exhibits on vacation weekends. It’s additionally an excellent place to snag some Wifi as it’s restricted all through the canyon. 

Study extra about Smoke Gap Canyon and plan your journey right here. 

Sponsored Content material by: Shannon McGowan of Blue Ridge Outside Journal

All Images by Shannon McGowan