V16E8: Shakedown Run in West Virginia

This week, we venture into one of our favorite destinations in West Virginia: the lovely renaissance town of Thomas, and the surrounding Monongahela National Forest. This region offers a perfect mix of front-country attractions, and backcountry scenery and adventure. We spend some time camping with our friends, @family_adventures_overlanding, and then take the Jeep out touring among the rhododendrons!

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Around Town

Thomas, WV, is a rural treasure, located in the Appalachian Mountains of northern West Virginia, not far from the Maryland pan-handle. This region is only a four hour drive from southeastern, Pennsylvania.

If coffee, art, music, backcountry adventure, and rustic small-town charm are your things, you’ll love it here!

Thomas, WV

@venture4wd

Thomas is a tiny, historic railroad and coal mining town, perched on a hillside on the bank of the Blackwater River. Today, it is an artistic and cultural hub, with restaurants, cafes, art galleries, and small music venues. It is a wonderful, best kept secret to spend a few days visiting, with beautiful outdoor experiences in close proximity.

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TipTop

@venture4wd

One of my favorite coffee shops of all time, located in Thomas, WV, not far from Monongahela National Forest and Blackwater Falls. Thomas is a charming, old coal town in the midst of an artistic renaissance. The owners of Tip Top are super-passionate about their business, offering high-quality food and drink. They very recently moved into a new building in town, as of 2022, which I look forward to seeing.

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Monongahela National Forest

@venture4wd

The West Virginia state slogan is wild and wonderful for a reason, and this is due in large part to Monongahela National Forest, a sprawling backcountry featuring everything from high-elevation taiga, to shadowy river valleys adorned with waterfalls through tunnels of rhododendrons.

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Live Music

Purple Fiddle

@venture4wd

Located in Thomas, West Virginia, this ramshackle cafe offers a steady stream of performances by emerging and established musicians. This is likely where you’ll see an amazing undiscovered band before they get big! Good sandwiches and beer, great vibe, and sensational music. Every experience you have here is a memorable one!

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Featured Places

You COULD go to the nearby Blackwater Falls, which is a lovely State Park, and enjoy a spectacular waterfall from the safety and convenience of a viewing platform… OR you could venture to these featured backcountry destinations, and spend a day up-close-and-personal with some equally amazing waterfalls…

Christopher Shontz

V16E8: Featured Places

These are some of our favorite backcountry destinations we experienced while touring Monongahela National Forest, in northern West Virginia, also featuring this week’s campsite.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Christopher Shontz

Since 2017, I've traveled full-time throughout the United States and Canada. Today, I'm based in Tucson, Arizona, United States, and specialize in vehicle-supported adventure, remote camping experiences in Arizona, and delicious places to eat and drink around Tucson.

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