WILD Camping in a Fire Tower - Thorny Mountain Fire Tower - West Virginia

The only reservable fire tower east of the Mississippi. Yep, that's right. Located in the Senecas State Forest, part of the West Virginia State Parks System.
It's hard to get a reservation, not gonna lie. I have been trying to land 1 for 3 years. Persistence paid off and it was worth every penny.
Questions about this fire tower? Leave a comment below.
Outdoor Lovers will love this amazing train adventure through the mountains in West Virginia. An old fashion steam engine takes you to the top of Bald Knob where you can get off for 30 minutes to explore the overlook. Lunch is provided. 4.5 hr round trip climbing 2,390 ft in elevation for a 22 mile round trip.
Cass Scenic Railroad
wvstateparks.c...
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My Other West Virginia Videos:
--- Cranny Crow Overlook: • Cranny Crow Overlook H...
--- Blackwater Falls: • WATERFALLS & VIEWS - B...
-- Cass Railroad Train Ride up to Bald Knob: • Cass Railroad Train Ri...
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#ThornyMountainFireTower #WestVirginia #rvahikergirl #westvirginiacamping #appalachianmountains #uniqueplaces

[@RVAHikerGirl]

If you're into hiking, camping, and backpacking consider SUBSCRIBING to the channel. Very much appreciated! ~RVA~

[@TeaInValhalla]

Like button tickled 👍 🪶

[@ericbilliter3354]

I work there! When you come there and find it clean, ready to go, you're welcome! Tomorrow, I'll be treating the deck!

[@RVAHikerGirl]

I wish I could come back. I have tried and tried to get another reservation. Its a popular spot for sure. Thank you Eric for all that you do to take care of this little piece of paradise in WV. ~RVA~

[@SeniorHiker77]

That was one unique experience plus a bucket pulley system. 👍

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Agreed! Long wait but well worth it! ~RVA~

[@TeaInValhalla]

Good afternoon and happy hump day Jacqueline 😊 just finished a long ole day, just what the Outdoors doctor ordered to wash away the work day blues, going to pop our feet up and enjoy this one on the big screen, Stevie the TV here you go! 📺 Hope you are well, have a great week, Ceri and Kat ☕️ ❤️ 🧭 🗺 😀

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Glad to be a part of your evening entertainment, my friends! Special Special place this one was. I was in the land of the owls, and above the trees and that equals perfection for me. ~RVA~

[@JesterSectionHiker]

That fire tower looks amazing!! 🔥

[@RVAHikerGirl]

It's almost impossible to get a reservation but if you can it's just magical! Thanks for stopping by Julie! ~RVA~

[@BrianWest58]

What a cool place to wake up! Rain or not, a unique place.

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Yes, I never let the weather get me down. Especially since I was blessed with those amazing views when I first arrived. Thankful I was able to witness that amazing sight before clouding over. Loved it! Hope to go back again one day! ~RVA~

[@EventyrsorenDenmark]

Its a very interesting and beautiful place. Thanks for sharing. I really like the ider to sleep in a firetower.

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Such a fun unique experience! I could live there! Can't wait to hopefully go back again, when the weather is a bit better, if I can land a reservation again! ~RVA~

[@ervinslens]

What a place, this is something completely unique and somehow mysterious! Foggy atmosphere fits perfectly! 👌

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Yes! I love finding fantastic places like this to share with everyone. So glad you enjoyed the video. ~RVA~

[@WanderingSwitchback]

What a cool place to get to stay!! Love all the owls!!

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Hey my friend! Thanks for stopping by. Yes you have more out in your part of the country than us east coasters over here. I loved it! Just another way to enjoy the outdoors and have a unique experience. ~RVA~

[@Ron_C]

That is a pretty unique place to camp! Mountain views.....they will never get old to me neither, no matter the weather. I have an owl call I take with me sometimes.

[@RVAHikerGirl]

The owls were calling in every direction for several hours. It was incredible listening to them. Love, love, love this place. And it was close to the Cass Train ride so I did both of those on the same day. Thanks, RonC for checking out this vid! ~RVA~

[@thenaturemanadventures]

What an experience! You can't beat the sounds of nature in surround sound all around you. Extraordinary moments of life like this are so hard to beat. Very relaxing and peaceful indeed. The rain held off as much as possible for you to enjoy the overnight experience 🤠🌲🍃

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Slice of heaven in the "Almost Heaven" state. Just a fantastic night up high above the trees and mountains. Loved every bit of it.

[@ReasontoLiveAdventures]

That looks like an absolutely stunning place to stay a night. I definitely need to put my name on the waiting list. 🤙

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Hey, great to hear from you. If you can snag a reservation, it’s def something special! ~RVA~

[@StepsbyKaatje]

What an amazing place to stay! I guess it was worth waiting 3 years! 😁 Too bad that the weather wasn't better, but still better then a wash out! Loved all the noises! Great system to get your stuff up! 😁👍 Loved the video! Have a great weekend! Kaat

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Hey there Kaat! So hard to get a reservation here, but just very blessed to have just got one on the fly. So incredibly thankful to have had the opportunity to experience this amazing historical and wonderous place with Katie and J. ~RVA~

[@GratefulTrekker]

Beautiful view love it!!!

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Hiya Grateful Trekker, so great of you to stop by. Very much appreciated. ~RVA~

[@JefPersonalVideos]

Its a beautiful and amazing view of the place around thanks for sharing

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Appreciate you stopping by the channel. I have several other WV videos if you are interested in that particular area.Or 175 videos if you ever get bored, LOL! ~RVA~

[@jerryparnell1064]

Wow, that is so spectacular, I am sorry you didn't have perfect weather, it would be a wonderful place to stargaze. Thanks for sharing the incredible videos. Love your content. Enjoy the journey

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Hey Hey Jerry! You can't have great weather all the time. It was fine, I'm use to the rain, cold, heat and well perfect weather. When the leaves start changing, that would be amazing too. I'll be back one day to catch that perfect sunrise and sunset. Appreciate you stopping by, always! ~RVA~

[@NicoleHikesalot]

The wait was so worth it I could tell how happy you were! So awesome to spend a night in the tower those views were so beautiful. And I liked the set up even though the cots were not the best 😆 bummer about that rain. I love owls too. So looking forward to seeing you ❤️

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Ahh yes, this place was one for the memory books! I will continue to try to get another night there sometime to hopefully get a sunset and sunrise. Easier said than done though. The owls were like music to my ears. I was as happy as a clam with them hoot hooting back and forth from every direction. ~RVA~

[@NaomisAdventures]

Cool place to camp

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Could agree more Naomi! Thanks for watching! ~RVA~

[@maxdexpeditions]

The view from the top is so gorgeous! That's a cabin in the sky!❤

[@RVAHikerGirl]

You are right! Love that cabin in the sky! I have always loved fire towers so this is such a unique and special place to stay and those views can't be beat! ~RVA~

[@fiveinitaly]

Super job 👍👍👍👍

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Thank you! Cheers! Appreciate you stopping by the channel and giving this one a watch! ~RVA~

[@wanderingoutyonder]

Wow - super interesting! That had to be a unique experience! An A+ location for sunrise/sunset! The rain had to just enhance the experience!

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Thanks girls! For sure this little east coast gem was SWEET! Hope to go back and experience a cloud free sunrise and sunset 1 day there if I can ever get an reservation again. Thanks as always for stopping by and checking this video out. ~RVA~

[@IceBearHalfwayPoint]

Just amazing! I love the sounds!

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Thank you IceBear! Yes, there's really nothing around to disturb the wildlife so, it's perfect. The owl symphony will forever be an amazing memory of this location. Appreciate you stopping by and commenting. ~RVA~

[@cachemacstrailtime]

There is a fire tower in ID, I've always wanted to stay in. You've inspired me to check it out further and make it happen. Thanks, take care!

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Oh yeah! Go for it! There are a ton out west you can stay in but this is the only one in my neck of the woods. YOLO, looking forward to that video sometime! ~RVA~

[@ArcticNatureExperiences]

Spending the night in a fire tower - now that is a night to remember and I can understand why it is hard to book a spot here. The place is amazing and it is great fun watching your visit and seeing the place! The view, the special feeling of being high up above the forest and the history of the place; now that makes for good memories:) I wish there could have been something similar here in Norway:-) Best wishes and be safe!

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Thank you for stopping by and checking this one out. Yes, being above the tree line watching the cloud inversions, and having such amazing views was incredible! Great chatting with you! ~RVA~

[@FOLLOWINGWALKERSWORLD]

That is so cool. Never knew this existed. That pulley system is great. At first I thought you made Jbird carry everything up. Lol That looked like fun & views are awesome. 👍👍

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Hey Hey Tom! Nope, we always carry our own individual gear to and from. We are our own pack mules. I carried all of mine up on my back in 1 trip up to the top. But Katie and J used the pulley for some of theirs. The firewatchers back in the day used the very same pulley system. If you can land a reservation, go it it one unique and amazing place! Thanks for checking this one out my friend! ~RVA~

[@KuntryRD]

I love owls! I have been to Seneca SF. It is a beautiful place.

[@RVAHikerGirl]

It really is! An Owl Lovers Paradise. What a real treat! A Whoot! LOL! I was hoping to put my paddle board in the lake there, but the weather didn't cooperate. But I will be back, if I can ever land another reservation. Thanks for stopping by! ~RVA~

[@tangenttrails]

Pretty nice setup the park has there. I like the bucket pulley system. Nice views.

[@RVAHikerGirl]

It’s hard to get a reservation here. You almost have to win the lottery. Ha Ha!

[@tangenttrails]

@@RVAHikerGirl I bet!

[@slickric1027]

​@@RVAHikerGirlI've been trying for 2 years now with no luck. I only live 55 mins from it

[@RVAHikerGirl]

@@slickric1027 get on the waiting list. I’ve been on the list all year. I finally have moved from the 2nd page to the front page when I last called to check. When they do call you have to be flexible and ready to go. 😜

[@TheNaturePrescription]

Such a cool experience!! I’ve got to take Pigtails and do this sometime.

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Hey adventure buddy! Yes! If you can manage to get a reservation. Easier said than done. But if you can snag one, it is a phenomenal fun time! ~RVA~

[@CarlsonAdventures]

Wow. Super cool.

[@RVAHikerGirl]

So great of you to stop by! Very much appreciated. LOVED this special place and those memories from this night will last a lifetime. ~RVA~

[@magicworldbyjorg]

...cool video keep up the great content.. Thank you…

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Very much appreciated! Thanks so very much! ~RVA~

[@magicworldbyjorg]

@@RVAHikerGirl Thank you very mutch... have a nice day.... see you….

[@issaoutdoors]

Beautiful views and an interesting place to be able to stay!!! Although.... I'd die. I'd just die. You'd never get me all the way to the top and if you did.... I'd be balled up in the middle of the floor and never come back down lol. I get wobbly knees just walking over bridges more than 15 foot off the ground..... lol

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Maybe someone could blindfold you. LOL, although that might be a bit dangerous ha ha! I don't like tall bridges you have to drive over. Or even the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. I guess we all have something, right? ~RVA~

[@jamesmorgan1967]

Just found your channel...what a cool experience. Love that pulley system!

[@RVAHikerGirl]

So happy you found my channel! Appreciate you stopping by and checking out this video. Loved my time at this fire tower and would love to go back sometime if I can ever snag another reservation. ~RVA~

[@timyoung4039]

I am from WV and no matter how many times I see these mountains it never gets old. My state is absolutely beautiful. Are you from WV? They need to take the glam off the ping. Idk how much you paid for this experience but I’d expect some better beds. Those cots look like they’re from the 60’s.

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Nope just over the line. I live in VA. I’ve lived in other states too! But your right WV is something else!

[@CookieMonster_1969]

New subscriber here.👋 Interesting idea, West Virginia is the only state I have not visited. I was planning on it this fall and my plans got changed for me, and I'm driving to Minnesota instead.🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@RVAHikerGirl]

When you do plan your trip there to complete your 50 let me know. I'd be happy to point you in the right directions of places to stay and things to do. I have several vids on my channel about West Virginia. Thanks a bunch for subscribing. ~RVA!

[@CookieMonster_1969]

@@RVAHikerGirl It was planned for this fall, but I had to change plans. Hoping for spring or summer next year now, just gotta get through the next few months before I can plan anything out...

[@larryclark6786]

Cool hoodie

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Thanks its from Mountain Jibe, but they don't make them anymore. The company changed names to Wild Wood Colorado and completely changed their line. Still really cool stuff! ~RVA~

[@TeaInValhalla]

#choosemountains

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Always!

[@FollowThomas]

Views are amazing from that tower. It's so cool that you can actually legally camp there. I need to look into this. How hard is to get reservation there? Is there are website to make reservation? Very cool 😎👍

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Very hard! Yes there is a website, but it never shows availabilty. You have to hit it at the right time. Its a 1 year wait, if you hit the timing right. But I tried for 3 years to get a reservation. So yeah! A sweet gem! You can call them, sometime people cancel their reservations, thats how I got in. Wink Wink! ~RVA~

[@garrycollins3415]

Looks like something for me and the kids. I tried booking out to 2025, couldn't get anything.

[@RVAHikerGirl]

You can call them. Sometimes they have cancelations wink wink. 👍🏼 Fantastic place!

[@ms.kayak7seas]

Hi and thanks, RVA for sharing. Wow...this is my first time learning a person can actually stay at the Fire Tower...very cool!!!😲😲..I was impressed by a cabin from the last episode. OMG, free firewood!...then these pulleys...Very neat...4:33...the panoramic view is speechless. Indeed, this is not a luxury hotel...but camping. Appreciate your honest speech. well done. Thank you for inviting us to this unique and first-time experience staying at the fire tower camping. 🍁🍁🥰🥰🚣‍♀🚣‍♀

[@RVAHikerGirl]

Thank you so much! Yes, most are out west, but we have this 1 little east coast gem. And she is pretty darn special! I don't really do hotels unless I have no choice. Cabins, yurts, tents, thats more my pace and preference. Appreciate your wonderful comment and for watching my videos. ~RVA~

[@ms.kayak7seas]

@@RVAHikerGirl Thank YOU. I am making 📝for my future adventure.🚣‍♀🚣‍♀🍁🍁