OVERVIEW

One of the most remarkable collections of historic structures in West Virginia, Salt Sulphur Springs is the centerpiece of the Salt Sulphur Springs National Historic District in Monroe County, West Virginia. One of the best-known healing spring resorts in the southeastern U.S., it attracted thousands of guests annually before and after the Civil War, including dignitaries such as presidents Monroe, Madison, and Van Buren. In 1862, it was a headquarters for the Army of the Confederacy.

In its nomination to the National Register of Historic Places, the property was declared to be one of the largest pre-Civil War groupings of native stone in West Virginia, imbued with “a strong sense of place and time when Salt Sulphur ranked as a leading resort in the Upper South.”

ATTRIBUTES AND HIGHLIGHTS

• On National Register of Historic Places
• Declared to be one of the largest pre-Civil War groupings of native stone buildings in West Virginia
• Rehabilitation Grants and Tax Credits
• Legacy historic mineral springs resort dating to circa 1816
• Six buildings on the property: The Salt (old stone hotel), The Salt Cottages (2), Stone Chapel, Stone Spring House, Stone Bathhouse
• The Salt Stone Chapel will be included in the sale at a price to be determined
• ½ mile frontage on Indian Creek
• Three famous springs on property: “Sweet,” “Salt Sulphur,” and “Iodine”
• Sweeping views of West Virginia countryside
• On US-219 Scenic Byway
• 25 miles from The Greenbrier Resort
• 25 miles to I-64 at Lewisburg jet airport
• 38 miles to I-77 at Princeton
• 50 miles to Blacksburg, Va.

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 37.570919°(N), -80.571051°(W)
Address: 2 Salt Sulphur Lane, Union, WV 24983
Elevation Range:  1801 ft. to 1948 ft. +/-

Driving Times

Towns:
Alderson: 35 minutes
Athens and Concord University: 1 hour 5 minutes
Beckley: 1 hour 20 minutes
Blacksburg, VA and Virginia Tech: 1 hour 10 minutes
Charleston, WV: 2 hours
Lewisburg and Osteopathic School of Medicine: 35 minutes
Peterstown: 30 minutes
Princeton: 55 minutes
Union: 5 minutes

Airports:
Greenbrier Valley Airport, Lewisburg: 45 minutes
Mercer County Airport, Bluefield: 1 hour 10 minutes
Raleigh County Memorial Airport, Beckley: 1 hour 20 minutes
Virginia Tech Montgomery Executive Airport, Blacksburg, VA: 1 hour 10 minutes
Yeager Airport, Charleston, WV: 2 hours

Recreation:
Bluestone Lake, Hinton: 45 minutes
Bluestone State Park: 50 minutes
Camp Creek State Park & Forest: 1 hour
Fountain Springs Golf Course: 25 minutes
Mill Creek Nature Park Trails, Narrows, VA: 45 minutes
Pipestem Resort State Park, Pipestem: 55 minutes
State Fair of West Virginia, Fairlea: 35 minutes
Willow Wood Golf Course: 40 minutes
Winterplace Ski Resort, Ghent: 1 hour 15 minutes

HISTORY OF “THE SALT”

“If order, abundant and well prepared fare, excellent bedding, quiet and obliging domestics, impartial and gentlemanly efforts to promote health and comfort, have any influence upon public favor, the proprietors of the Salt Sulphur will certainly secure it.” – William Burke

Salt Sulphur Springs Resort circa 1857

The history of The Salt Sulphur Springs Resort may most firmly be established in 1802, when a spring on Indian Creek was noted to possess medicinal qualities. In 1805, a second spring was discovered. These became the resort’s Sweet Sulphur Spring and Salt Sulphur Spring. As a result of the demand for “medicinal” spring waters among wealthy Southerners, the springs soon attracted visitors.

In 1816, Ervin Benson, who had purchased 500 acres at the site in 1797, hired John Fullen, Sr., of Lexington, Va., to build the first stone building, the present-day Old Stone Hotel. The bathhouse, springhouse, and store building were soon added to meet the demand of an increasing clientele. Benson died before their construction in 1820, when his heirs, brothers-in-law William Erskine and Isaac Caruthers, assumed control of the springs.

In 1823, Erskine and Caruthers promoted the resort with an article in a Richmond, Va., newspaper: “Thanking them for their already liberal patronage, they are happy to inform them that they have erected twenty-four new cabins, large and commodious, together with a special dining and ball room, which will add greatly to the comfort and convenience of their company.”

In 1833, a guest from Massachusetts described the resort as similar and yet more peaceful than the nearby White Sulphur Spring, the present site of The Greenbrier: “The house is admirably kept here, and the food is plentiful fare, and the quiet and comfort are a striking contrast to the White Sulphur.”

In 1838, construction commenced on what would become the largest building on the property, the Erskine House. It contained 72 guest rooms and quarters for the many slaves who accompanied patrons.

By the outbreak of the Civil War, the springs had become one of the chief resorts on a circuit that included nearby Red Sulphur Springs, Blue Sulphur Springs, White Sulphur Springs, and Old Sweet Springs. Wealthy patrons, most notably from lowland Virginia and the Carolinas, would travel from spring to spring throughout the summer to escape the oppressive heat.

In 1862, General Albert Jenkins commandeered the springs as headquarters for the Eighth Virginia Calvary of the Confederate States Army. Caruthers had died in 1853, and Erskine died in 1863, and little is known of its operation as a resort during that period.

In 1878, after several unsuccessful attempts to restore operations, John Connell of Richmond purchased the property and, by 1880, was able to accommodate 300 guests.

In 1882, Colonel J.W.M. Appleton, of Boston, Mass., was hired as resort manager and brought a spirit of what may be termed “Yankee initiative” to the operation. He established a telegraph and a stage line to a station on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad, and activity recovered until 1916 when Appleton was gored by a bull near the Salt Sulphur Springs store.

Following Appleton’s death, operations at the springs became sporadic. The demand for spas had waned, and in 1936, its existence as a resort ended. In 1963, Dr. Ward Wylie, who had operated the Wyoming General Hospital in Mullens, purchased the property as a home. Wylie died in 1970, and from then until 2023, his daughter, Betty Jacqueline “Betty Jack” Farmer, lived on the property.

“THE SALT” HOTEL

Built between 1816 and 1820, this two-story edifice of native limestone is the most prominent building on the property.  This grand structure is reminiscent of the era of Southern mansions and resorts of the antebellum.

The Salt Resort Hotel has, in recent years, been used as a private residence for the Farmer Family. The downstairs today includes a large modern household kitchen that blends in with the parlor, which includes the original fireplace and mantle. A staircase is located on both ends of the hotel to access the upstairs bedrooms and the presidential suite. The grand ballroom fills the majority of the downstairs. The grand ballroom features a tall ceiling height, and the Musicians Gallery box is situated in the far right corner of the room. Access to the Musicians Gallery is from the southern staircase of the building. Also at the south end of the hotel are the grand entrance foyer and staircase. A half bath is located beneath the stairs.  On the east end of the building, a smaller wing may predate the main hotel building. A two-story portico with seven columns may have been built during the late 19th or early 20th centuries.

The second floor includes the Salt Library on the left side of the hallway, a bathroom suite, and hotel rooms A and B. The right side of the hall includes the presidential suite and bath, as well as hotel rooms C and D.

The hotel’s basement level has not been utilized or repaired for many years. The original registration counter has been relocated to the basement.

The Salt Sulphur Springs Hotel is awaiting the new loving owner to restore this trophy property to its full splendor of the bygone days of the 1800s. Although much work stands to be done, the Salt can be a functioning residence and special event business for the owner and innkeeper while repairs and upgrades are completed in modules.

Because the property is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places, tax credits and grants for restoration are likely to be available.

• Exterior dimensions 75’ x 34.6”
• Covered Breezeway 24’ x 34’6”
• Covered side porch 78.3 x 10’

FIRST FLOOR
Eat-in Kitchen 24.1 x 16
The Old Salt Fireside Parlor 24.1 x 16.3
Grand Ballroom 41.8 x 32.3
Foyer 10.4 x 30.7
Half bath 3.8 x 7.5

Mezzanine
Landing 10.6 x 4.3
Musicians Gallery 3.11 x 17.2

UPPER LEVEL (Road side)
The Salt Hotel Library 13.6 x 12.9
Bath 16.11 x 12.9 – walk-in closet 3.1 x 7.2
Bedroom A 11.5 X 12.9
Bedroom B 11.7 X 12.9
Hall Landing 8.8 x 12.9

UPPER LEVEL (Resort side)
Presidential Suite 27.1 x 14.1 – Walk-in closet 3.8 x 10.1
Bedroom C 16.3 x 14.1
Bedroom D 21.4 x 14.1
Hallway 70.9 x 6.8
Hallway Cloakroom 6.2 x 4.9
Bath 8.9 x 14.1

“THE SALT” INKEEPER’S RESIDENCE

The Salt Innkeeper’s Residence directly adjoins The Salt Hotel but is a stand-alone structure with the same limestone exterior. It is currently not habitable and needs complete interior restoration. The entry-level includes two parlor rooms, a bath suite, and a kitchen. The basement level has a walkout.

The second floor includes two large bedrooms, a bath, walk-in closets, and a passage hallway.

• Exterior dimensions   48.9 x 24
• Porch 48.9 x 7.10
• Patio deck on roadside 8 x 35

FIRST FLOOR
Parlor 21.4 x 20.11
Kitchen 11.5 x 9.10
Dining Area 10 x 9.10
Parlor 10 x 11
Bath 11.1 x 10.8

UPPER LEVEL
Primary Bedroom 21.4 X 20.11
Bath 10.11 x 10.2
Bedroom 10.2 x 20.11
Hall 10.11 x 3.10
Storage Room  5.6 x 6.2
Walk-in Closet 5.1 x 6.2

“THE SALT” COTTAGES

As the Salt Sulphur Springs Resort gained popularity, five Greek Revival style brick cottages were constructed about 1840. Today, two of the five remain in service at the resort. The two remaining cottages are furnished with sweet water from the main spring house, and a septic is in place. Both cottages have metal roofs. The bricks for the cottages were most likely made at the resort or somewhere nearby.  The exterior dimensions for the cottages are 38.4 x 33.7, with approximately 2,508 sq. ft. per public records.

THE MADISON
Cottage #1
Address: 149 Salt Sulphur Lane, Union, WV

Cottage #1, The Madison, is the current equestrian director’s personal residence. The cottage is a comfortable five-bedroom home with two baths and includes a master bedroom and bath on the entry level. The spacious eat-in kitchen includes oak cabinets with ample storage. The kitchen includes the original fireplace. The front living room parlor includes a fireplace and is an inviting location to read or relax. A utility room is on the back section and includes a washer and dryer hook-up, a 40-gallon A. O. Smith electric water heater, and a 100-amp electric panel. The home is heated by a propane furnace located in the crawl space. A foyer hallway extends the entire length of the downstairs. The Madison Cottage still has 12-light wooden windows in service. The cottage features both oak and heart pine flooring with a beautiful patina.

Traveling up the gentle staircase made of walnut to the upper level, you will find a plex of four bedrooms and a full bath. A hallway divides the center and leads to the inviting balcony.

ROOM SIZES
Entry Level
Master bedroom 13.8 x 14.7
Downstairs bath 9.2 x 7
Hall  4.2 x 9.6
Utility 13.8 x 7
Hall 6.3 x 21
Foyer 7.6 x 10.4
Living room parlor 15 x 15.8
Eat-in kitchen 16.3 x 15.5
Covered front porch 10.9 x 6.11

Upper Level
Bedroom #2 14.4 x 15.6
Bedroom #3 14.4 x 15.7
Bedroom #4 13.9 x 15.6
Bedroom #5 13.9 x 15.7
Hall  8.1 x 25.10
Bath  8.1 x 5.3
Covered balcony  10.9 x 6.7

THE MONROE
Cottage #2
Address: 159 Salt Sulphur Lane, Union, WV

Cottage #2, the Monroe, resembles the adjoining Madison Cottage.  This 5 bedroom, 1.5 bath home includes an entry-level bedroom and a half-bath tucked under the staircase. The spacious eat-in kitchen includes attractive handmade repurposed country oak cabinets with ample storage, plus a large maple butcher block island with a sink. The kitchen features a double-sided propane fireplace that it shares with the dining room. The downstairs bedroom is on the back section and includes a washer and dryer hook-up, a 50-gallon A. O. Smith electric water heater, and a 200-amp electric panel. The home is heated and cooled by an American Standard heat pump equipped with a propane furnace in the crawl space. A foyer hallway extends the entire length of the downstairs. The Monroe Cottage has been recently updated with multiple-panes insulated vinyl replacement windows with the easy-clean fold inside feature.

Traveling up the gentle staircase with original finish walnut construction to the upper level is a plex of four bedrooms and a full bath with an extension vanity room section. A hallway divides the upper level in the center and leads to the covered balcony.

ROOM SIZES
Entry Level
Bedroom # 1 13.8 x 14.7
Half bath 3.1 x 5.2
Back entry hall 7.7 x 16.3
Foyer 7.7 x 14.11
Living room parlor 13.11 x 15.7
Eat-in kitchen 14.7 x 15.11
Covered front porch 10.11 x 7.8

Upper Level
Bedroom #2 14.4 x 15.6
Bedroom #3 14.4 x 15.7
Bedroom #4 13.9 x 15.6
Bedroom #5 13.9 x 15.7
Hall 8.1 x 25.10
Bath 8.1 x 5.3
Covered balcony 10.9 x 6.7

“THE SALT” CHAPEL

Stone Chapel

The Chapel at Salt Sulphur Springs was built in the 1830s when the village was a bustling resort famous for its mineral springs. Visitors from far and wide came to take the waters, believing in their healing properties. The church was constructed to serve the local community and the many travelers who flocked to the springs, providing a place of worship and reflection amidst the town’s growing reputation as a center for health and rejuvenation.  The Chapel will be included in the sale of the Resort at a price to be determined.

A simple yet elegant structure, the church was built from locally quarried limestone and timbers hewn from the surrounding forests.  It is a large one-room structure mounted by a wooden belfry and crowned with a pyramidal spire.  The entrance from the covered porch showcases great workmanship, as the double entry doors are approximately 10 feet in height. The doors and the casing are beautiful raised panels with wooden peg construction.  Its whitewashed walls and modest six over six wavey glass pane windows give it a serene and welcoming presence, a beacon of faith in a rapidly changing world. Inside, the wooden pews creaked under the weight of generations, and the air was often thick with the scent of old hymnals and candle wax.

During the Civil War, the church became a beacon of hope, a place of refuge and solace for those caught in the crossfire of a divided nation. Its walls echoed with the prayers of soldiers and civilians alike, seeking comfort in the face of unimaginable hardship. After the war, the church continued to serve the dwindling community, its bell tolling for weddings, funerals, and Sunday services, a steady rhythm that marked the passage of time.

Today, the church at Salt Sulphur Springs stands as both a historical landmark and a spiritual sanctuary. Its weathered façade and quiet, hallowed interior continue to inspire those who visit, a reminder of the town’s storied past and the enduring power of faith. The church may no longer draw the crowds it once did, but it remains a place where history and memory converge, where the echoes of the past mingle with the hopes of the present.

In the stillness of a summer afternoon, with the mountains rising in the distance and the sun casting long shadows across the churchyard, it is easy to imagine the days when Salt Sulphur Springs was a bustling hub of activity. The steadfast and enduring church holds those memories close, a silent guardian of a bygone era, standing watch over the little village.

*Note: The church property is a separate offering from the large Salt Sulphur Resort. Potential buyers are encouraged to consider purchasing the church, which has always been part of the wonderful resort of Salt Sulphur Springs.

• Stone building, Circa 1832
• Exterior 30.5 x 40.6
• Covered front porch 30.5 x 12

OTHER BUILDINGS

Stone Spring House
Built about 1820 near the main entrance and adjacent to the bathhouse, the spring house was used to keep dairy products from spoiling but was not believed to be among the resort’s healing springs.

• Stone structure
• Circa 1820
• Exterior 20.8 x 20
• Patio 20 x 8

Stone Bathhouse
The bathhouse was built in about 1820, and is approximately 23’ x 28’. It may have housed a spa with a series of mineral baths for the immersion of clients.

The Stable
The Resort includes an active equestrian wood-frame stable with 16 stalls, a tack and feed room, a metal roof, electricity, and water. The stable is in the southern part of the resort and is 36 feet wide by 100 feet long. Currently, the stable is used for horses, and a riding ring is active for training.

The Stone Store Building
This building is not part of the sale but is a contributing structure in the national historic district. Built about 1820, the two-story store building is one of the oldest buildings still standing in the district. It was used as a general store in conjunction with the post office commissioned in 1827. This building boasts a two-tier porch that runs the length of its front.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

Portions of the property boundary are state road frontage. Several lines of property boundary are shown on various survey plats that are contained in recorded deeds. The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acre.

UTILITIES

Water: Spring
Sewer: Private septic system
Electricity: Onsite
Telephone: Onsite
Internet: Starlink
Cellphone Coverage: Dependent on carrier; Available through wi-fi with Starlink

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

Highway US-219, a two-lane primary route, fronts the property to the northwest and southwest. However, access to most of its acreage is provided through Salt Sulphur Lane, which bridges Indian Creek at the frontage.

WATER

INDIAN CREEK
Indian Creek wanders through and along the property for over a half mile. Fed by cold waters that rise among caverns upstream, it’s ideal for cooling off during the warm months. The creek is shallow near the springs and averages little more than 20 feet across. The property’s best-known water features are its springs.

“THE SALT” SPRINGS
Sweet Sulphur Spring
This spring, not currently marked by a pavilion, was discovered in 1802 by Alexander Hutchinson. It is several hundred yards north of the old resort’s other two springs. The first dwellings (log cabins) built at Salt Sulphur were built at this site.

Salt Sulphur Spring
Discovered in 1805 by Ervin Benson, this spring was the most famous and most visited of the resort’s three healing springs. It is located southeast of the old stone hotel and is marked with a simple wood-columned pavilion.

Iodine Spring
Near the Salt Sulphur Spring, it was marked by a similar wooden canopy. It was in use by 1838. The iodine waters were considered a rarity in the region.

WILDLIFE

The area is a favorite destination for wildlife viewing. Years of thoughtful management practices and diverse habitats support a remarkably healthy ecosystem. Fox, deer, raccoon, and opossum are familiar mammalian residents, as are rabbits, squirrels, and chipmunks. Herons, mallards, and wood ducks frequent the stream, as will the occasional bald eagle. Riparian species such as fish, crayfish, and amphibians are good indicators of a healthy environment. However, the creek near the property is too shallow to support larger fish species such as trout.

FOREST RESOURCES

The property is chiefly lawn and pasture, though wooded margins follow the stream and boundaries. Several large tree specimens—oaks, maples, tulip poplars, and sycamores—anchor the landscape’s historic character. Other notable plants include heirloom ornamental species.

ZONING

Monroe County does not employ zoning. Prospective purchasers are encouraged to contact the county health department for information regarding the installation of wells and septic systems. The Monroe County Commission may provide further information on zoning.

PROPERTY TYPE / USE SUMMARY

The larger property is mostly open-area home grounds with some areas of streamside and roadside vegetation. There is a small front field near US 219 within the larger property that is a little over ½ acre. The larger property also has a back field along Indian Creek that is a little over 2 acres. The smaller property is about 4 acres of forestland.

(This summary is an estimation of current property use as determined from aerial photography.  It is made subject to the estimation of property boundaries and any errors in the interpretation of land use type from the aerial photography utilized.)

DEED and TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: DB 311 Pgs. 310 & 312 and DB 305 Pg. 223
Monroe County, West Virginia
Acreage: 28.53 acres +/-

Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:
Monroe County (32), West Virginia
Union District (7)
Tax Map 15 Parcel 39, Class 2; Parcel 39.1, Class 3; Parcel 40, Class 2; Parcel 40.1, Class 3; Parcel 46.2, Class 2; and a parcel unnumbered on the tax map that is a portion of Parcel 40

2024 Real Estate Taxes: $3090.88

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Mountain View Elementary and Middle schools are three miles away from Union. James Monroe High School and the Monroe County Professional Technical Center are an 11-mile drive on US-219.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Several private schools are within a drive of fewer than 45 minutes, including Greenbrier Valley Academy (2-8), Greenbrier Episcopal School (PK-8), Lewisburg Baptist Academy (PK-12), and Seneca Trail Christian Academy (PK-12).

HIGHER EDUCATION

Several institutions of higher education are located in the region, including the nearby West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine at Lewisburg. Others include Concord University, Bluefield State College, and New River Community and Technical College, all within an hour’s drive. Virginia Tech and Radford University, both in Virginia, are a drive of about an hour.

HEALTH CARE

The region has been a destination for healthcare since the late 1700s when its springs attracted colonists in search of relief from various ailments. Among the most popular, White Sulphur Springs remains home to the Greenbrier Clinic at The Greenbrier. It provides full-service diagnostic and ambulatory surgery care with a comprehensive family care practice and a world-renowned medical spa.

The Greenbrier Valley Medical Center, a 30-minute drive from the property, is a 122-bed facility that provides inpatient and outpatient care, emergency, surgical, and diagnostic services. The Mountain View Wellness Center at Union, which provides primary care only three miles away, is also nearby.

Two Veteran’s Administration medical centers are within a 90-minute drive—at Beckley, W.Va. and Salem, Va. A primary-care VA Medical Clinic in Lewisburg is about a 30-minute drive.

AIR TRAVEL

Four airports accommodate private and passenger service within an hour’s drive: Greenbrier Valley Airport at Lewisburg, 45 minutes; Mercer County Airport at Bluefield, an hour; Virginia Tech-Montgomery Executive Airport at Blacksburg, an hour; Raleigh County Memorial Airport at Beckley, an hour and 15 minutes; and Yeager Airport at Charleston, WV, 2 hours.

RAIL PASSENGER SERVICE

The property is a drive of approximately 20 minutes from Amtrak stations at Alderson and White Sulphur Springs. The Amtrak Cardinal runs tri-weekly through New York City, Washington, Charleston, Huntington, Cincinnati, and Chicago.

SURROUNDING AREA

Salt Sulphur Springs is located in a region famed for its rural beauty. Amid a landscape of scenic farms and historic towns, it’s enjoying increased viability as a destination for tourists and new residents. Surrounding Monroe County enjoys the distinction of lacking any traffic lights, though small cities on I-64 and I-77 are less than an hour’s drive away.

While farming continues to be foundational to the region’s economy, tourism has become an economic driver as it had 200 years ago when mineral springs and the pleasant climate began to attract visitors. The following tourist attractions are within an hour’s drive of the property and are listed alphabetically.

Appalachian Trail
The property is a 20-minute drive from the nearest section of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. An estimated 1,200 hikers trek through the area annually. Branching off nearby, the Allegheny Trail, a branch of the Appalachian Trail, leads off the main trail into the Allegheny Mountains.

Bluestone Lake
Bluestone Lake is the second-largest lake in the state and ranks among its best warm-water fisheries. A reservoir of more than 2,000 acres (in summer pool), it impounds the lower New River upstream of its gorge. Along with the Bluestone and Greenbrier rivers, it’s one of the chief fishing destination areas in the state.

Bluestone State Park
More than 2,000 acres at the mouth of the Bluestone River at Bluestone Lake have been developed as a vacation park ideally suited to accommodating kayaking and boating. The park provides a marina with boat rentals, a swimming pool, 26 cabins, and 77 campsites.

Bluestone National Scenic River
The National Park Service manages the lower Bluestone River as a “national scenic river.” Only a handful of hiking trails lead through it. The National Park Service manages the park area that extends from Bluestone State Park to Pipestem Resort State Park.

Bluestone Wildlife Management Area
The W.Va. Division of Natural Resources manages more than 18,000 acres surrounding Bluestone Lake for hunting, trapping, and fishing. The preserve is renowned for its whitetail deer, turkey, and fox. Several primitive campgrounds are located around the lake.

Cavern Tours
The region is renowned for its caverns, many of which travel for miles beneath the levels of the Greenbrier Valley. Two tourist caverns nearby — Organ Cave and Lost World Caverns — have traditionally attracted thousands of tourists annually. Several undeveloped caverns nearby permit professional cavers to explore.

The Greenbrier

A 35-minute drive from the property, The Greenbrier at White Sulphur Springs attracts thousands of guests annually. It includes 710 guest rooms, 35 retail shops, 20 restaurants and lounges, and more than 55 indoor and outdoor activities, including four world-class golf courses. Twenty-eight U.S. presidents have stayed at the hotel.

Greenbrier River
The Greenbrier is among the few remaining free-flowing rivers in the Appalachian Mountains. Unrestrained by dams, its natural flow is a chief attraction for anglers and kayakers who prefer an authentic river experience. The river is a principal tributary of the New River.

Greenbrier River Trail
The 77-mile Greenbrier River Trail follows the Greenbrier River upstream from near Lewisburg to Cass Scenic Railroad State Park, coursing through scenic mountain villages. It was elected to the National Rail-Trail Hall of Fame in 2012 and was named by Backpacker magazine as one of the Top 10 hiking trails in the United States.

Greenbrier State Forest
Protecting more than 5,133 acres in the southernmost reaches of the Allegheny Mountains, the Greenbrier State Forest is a popular destination for hikers and bikers from across the U.S. It attracts many guests of The Greenbrier resort, located near its primary entrance. The forest is also a favorite locale for hunters and anglers.

Jefferson National Forest
The Jefferson and adjoining George Washington national forests protect more than 1.8 million acres in Virginia, Kentucky, and West Virginia. The forest also includes more than 19,000 acres in Monroe County. The forest on Peters Mountain at the Hanging Rock Observation Tower is a 25-minute drive from the property.

Historic Lewisburg
National magazines have recently ranked Lewisburg as among the best small towns in the U.S., chiefly due to its carefully preserved historic district and location within the scenic Greenbrier Valley of southeastern West Virginia. Attractions in the community include historic sites, the Carnegie Museum, and the Greenbrier Valley Theater.

Moncove Lake State Park
This small vacation park is tucked in the forests at the southern end of the Allegheny Mountains. Moncove Lake, at 144 acres, is ideally suited for fishing, kayaking, and non-motorized boating. Chief attractions include hiking trails, a swimming pool, and 48 campsites.

Monongahela National Forest
The 921,000-acre Monongahela National Forest protects some of West Virginia’s most scenic mountain landscapes, including the highest peaks in the Allegheny Mountains range, which is part of the Appalachian Mountains. The nearest parts of the forest are a 45-minute drive.

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

The centerpiece of one of the nation’s newest national parks, the 72,000-acre New River Gorge attracts more than three million visitors annually to southern West Virginia. Its best-known attractions are hiking, biking, rock climbing, and whitewater rafting. The nearest reach of the park is a 45-minute drive from Salt Sulphur Springs.

Seneca Trail
Scenic byway US-219, also known as the Seneca Trail, is a popular tourist route counted among the nation’s best fall foliage drives. The trail was named for the Seneca, a people of the Iroquois who used it as a chief travel route in the 1700s. According to the W.Va. Division of Transportation, the average daily traffic on US-219 at the property is 1,900.