Nelson Rocks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nelson Rocks |
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 Location in West Virginia
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| Location | Pendleton County, West Virginia |
| Nearest city | Circleville, West Virginia |
| Range | Allegheny Mountains |
| Coordinates | 38°41′46.92″N 79°27′52.41″W / 38.6963667°N 79.4645583°W |
| Climbing type | Traditional and Sport Climbing crag |
| Height | 800 feet above stream level |
| Pitches | Single and Multi-pitch (The Millennium Route is 9 pitches) |
| Ratings | 5.2-5.12+ |
| Grades | 1-2 |
| Rock type | Tuscarora quartzite |
| Quantity of rock | Over 200 routes |
| Development | Mostly developed |
| Cliff aspect | East and West facing |
| Season | Spring through Fall |
| Elevation | 3120 |
| Ownership | Private |
| Access | Closed to unguided climbing Guided climbing by reservation only. |
| Camping | Camping by reservation |
| Classic climbs |
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Nelson Rocks is a huge rock formation in Pendleton County, West Virginia, USA. It is privately owned and run by a group called NROCKS Outdoor Adventures. Before, it was known as Nelson Rocks Outdoor Center (NROC). This amazing place offers many exciting outdoor activities.
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What Makes Nelson Rocks Special?
Nelson Rocks is part of a group of unique "razorback" ridges called the River Knobs. These ridges look like giant fins sticking out of the ground. Other famous fins nearby include Seneca Rocks and Champe Rocks.
Nelson Rocks has two parallel rock fins made of strong sandstone. These fins rise high above the ground. They are located near Spruce Knob, which is the highest point in West Virginia. The area is also surrounded by the beautiful Monongahela National Forest.
Adventure Activities at Nelson Rocks
A cool feature at Nelson Rocks is a hanging footbridge. It is 150 feet long and hangs 200 feet above the ground between the two rock fins. It's quite an adventure to cross!
Visitors can try many exciting activities here, such as:
- Rock climbing: You can climb the tall rock faces.
- Via Ferrata climbing: This is a special climbing route with fixed cables and ladders.
- Hiking: There are trails to explore the area.
- Canopy tour: This includes 12 zip-lines and other fun challenges high in the trees.
Where to Stay
If you want to stay overnight, Nelson Rocks offers different types of lodging. You can choose from hotel-style guest rooms, cozy cabins, or tent camping.
A Look Back: History of Nelson Rocks
People have been climbing at Nelson Rocks for a long time, just like at nearby Seneca Rocks. However, for many years, this private area was not officially open to everyone.
Training for Mountain Troops
During World War II, in 1943 and 1944, the 10th Mountain Division of the United States Army used Nelson Rocks. They trained mountain soldiers here for climbing. This training helped them get ready for battles in Italy. It's believed they left behind many metal climbing pegs, called pitons, which you might still find today.
Opening to the Public
In 1998, Stuart Hammett bought the area and called it Nelson Rocks Preserve. For about ten years, it was officially open for rock climbing. More and more climbing routes were created, reaching about 100 routes by 2001. Nelson Rocks became known in climbing guidebooks. Over the next ten years, the number of routes grew to about 200. The exciting via ferrata with its long suspension bridge was also built during this time.
New Ownership and Changes
In 2009, John Hall bought Nelson Rocks. He owned a company called Camp Horizons. He renamed it the Nelson Rocks Outdoor Center. New buildings were added, and more zip-lines were built. In 2011, the North Fork Valley Canopy Tour was finished. Around this time, the area changed its rules. Now, you can only climb with a guide. You need to make a reservation through the property owner to go climbing.
Gallery
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Via Ferrata at Nelson
