Cass Scenic Railroad State Park Bunkhouses offer lodging within a living museum of early 20th-century logging industry history in the remote village of Cass, Pocahontas County, West Virginia. The park at 242 Main Street preserves the company town that West Virginia Pulp and Paper built around 1901 to house the workers operating Shay steam locomotives that hauled logs from the surrounding Cheat Mountain highlands. Guests today sleep in restored company houses and bunkhouses — the same structures where loggers and their families lived a century ago — alongside caboose rentals that put visitors directly on historic railroad property. The park's crown jewel is its fleet of operating Shay locomotives, meticulously maintained and running excursion trains up Cheat Mountain to Whittaker Station and the summit at Bald Knob, the second-highest peak in West Virginia at 4,842 feet. Excursions operate on a seasonal schedule from approximately May through October, with trips of varying lengths offering different levels of altitude and scenery. A company store on the main street functions as the park's visitor center, museum, and gift shop, housing logging and railroad artifacts that provide vivid context for the bunkhouses' history. Hiking trails lead from the village into the surrounding Monongahela National Forest, and the broader Pocahontas County setting offers connections to Snowshoe Mountain Resort, the Greenbrier River Trail, and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, 16 miles north. Accommodation rates rank among the most affordable in the West Virginia state park system, and no other property in the region offers the experience of sleeping in a restored industrial company town from the timber era.
Room types
- Historic Company Houses
- Bunkhouses
- Caboose Rentals
Amenities
- Historic Setting
- Company Store
- Railroad Museum Access
- Hiking Trails
Location
242 Main St, Cass, WV 24927
38.3954, -79.9145 View on map
Highlights
- Operating Shay steam locomotives hauling passengers to Bald Knob summit on a fully authentic logging railroad
- Overnight stays in restored 1901 company houses and bunkhouses — genuine industrial heritage lodging
- Caboose rentals on historic railroad tracks for a distinctive overnight experience
- Company store museum with logging and railroad artifacts from West Virginia's timber industry era
- Gateway to Snowshoe Mountain Resort, the Greenbrier River Trail, and Green Bank Observatory in Pocahontas County
Tips for visiting
- Purchase Bald Knob excursion tickets well ahead of travel; the summit run is the most popular and sells out weeks in advance in summer
- Company house accommodations are basic — confirm what linens and kitchen supplies are provided when booking
- The village of Cass has no restaurant; stock groceries in Marlinton, 22 miles south, before arriving
- Dress in layers for the Bald Knob excursion even in summer — summit temperatures can be 15–20 degrees cooler than the valley
- The park operates seasonally; confirm operating dates before travel as winter access is limited
Accessibility
Cass Scenic Railroad's historic structures were not designed for modern accessibility standards. The company houses and bunkhouses have steps and narrow doorways typical of early 1900s construction. Steam train excursions require boarding via standard steps at the platform. Visitors with mobility limitations should contact the park in advance to discuss whether specific accommodations and train experiences are feasible.
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Frequently asked questions
What accommodation types are available at Cass?
Options include multi-bedroom historic company houses with kitchen facilities, bunkhouse accommodations with shared facilities, and caboose rentals on the tracks. All require advance reservations through the WV State Parks system.
Can visitors ride the steam trains without staying overnight?
Yes. Excursion train tickets are available to day visitors without an overnight stay. Trains run seasonally May through October, and advance ticket purchase is strongly recommended for the longer Bald Knob run.
How far is Cass from Snowshoe Mountain Resort?
Snowshoe Mountain Resort is approximately 25 miles from Cass via WV-66 and US-219, about a 40-minute drive through Pocahontas County's forested backcountry.
Are there dining options at or near the park?
The park has no restaurant. The company store offers limited snacks. The nearest towns with restaurants are Marlinton (22 miles south) and Green Bank (16 miles north).
What is the Bald Knob excursion?
The Bald Knob excursion is the park's most celebrated train ride, climbing approximately 2,400 vertical feet from the village of Cass to the second-highest summit in West Virginia at 4,842 feet, offering panoramic views across the Allegheny highlands.