5 Ways To Give Back To Pocahontas County 

It’s the season of giving! Whether you’ve visited Pocahontas County, West Virginia, recently or plan to soon, there are plenty of ways to give back. Supporting our local communities helps them continue to welcome you and keep Nature’s Mountain Playground thriving. Here are five ways to give back to Pocahontas County.

1. Volunteer

Sharing your time is one of the most rewarding ways to give back. Whether you’re helping at a community event, lending a hand with trail maintenance or volunteering during a local race, your efforts make a real difference while letting you experience the area from a unique perspective.

Looking ahead to next year, consider signing up to help at events like the Great Greenbrier River Race, a family-friendly triathlon, or one of the county’s exciting mountain biking races, including the Minetana XC Bike Race, The Space Race Rumpus, Monday Lick Enduro and WV Enduro Series events at Slatyfork and Snowshoe Mountain. Volunteers can assist at aid stations, provide shuttle support or help with logistics.

Trail lovers can also get involved year-round through organizations like the Snowshoe Highlands Area Recreation Collaborative (SHARC) and Pocahontas Trails. SHARC works with landowners to develop and maintain sustainable trail systems, and Pocahontas Trails — our local International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) chapter — focuses on improving and promoting trails across the county. 

2. Donate

From historic landmarks to arts, culture and outdoor recreation, many local organizations rely on donations to continue their work. Here are a few to consider supporting:

Friends of Cass: A volunteer group preserving the rich history of Cass. Donations help provide memorable experiences for both visitors and locals.

Mon Forest Towns: Support the Mon Forest Towns Partnership through a donation or purchase of custom merchandise. In honor of Giving Tuesday on December 2, Mon Forest Towns is launching online retail sales! Visit the website to purchase and support. 

The Pearl S. Buck Birthplace: Dedicated to maintaining the birthplace of West Virginia’s only Pulitzer and Nobel Prize-winning author, donations support operations and community programs that preserve Buck’s legacy.

Pocahontas County Opera House: A premier performing arts venue featured on the West Virginia Historic Theatre Trail. Contributions help host diverse performances, support artists, maintain the historic space and expand outreach programs.

Pocahontas Trails: This organization works to improve and promote the trails of Pocahontas County. Donations help local volunteers and builders maintain, repair and develop trails for residents and visitors to enjoy.

Yew Mountain Center: Located on a 500-acre nature preserve, the Center is dedicated to environmental education and Appalachian heritage. Donations support the purchase of the land it currently leases and help expand programs that connect people with nature, art and local culture.

3. Shop Local 

Shopping local is one of the easiest — and most enjoyable — ways to support the community. Spending money at small businesses, galleries and boutiques keeps your dollars circulating within the local economy.

As the holiday season approaches, there’s a special joy in finding the perfect gift. Instead of crowded malls or endless online searches, explore our small shops and artisan markets. Each purchase supports a neighbor, preserves local traditions and celebrates the creativity that makes this area so special.

4. Eat Local 

Treat yourself to a delicious meal and support Pocahontas County at the same time. Local restaurants serve Appalachian-inspired dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. From hearty home-cooked meals to fresh farm-to-table flavors, dining here directly supports small businesses and local producers.

If you love trying new flavors, plan your visit around Pocahontas County Restaurant Week in March 2026. It’s a delicious celebration of local chefs, ingredients and Appalachian culinary creativity.

5. Protect Nature

Here in Pocahontas County, caring for our environment goes hand in hand with welcoming visitors to enjoy it. As an official Leave No Trace partner, the Pocahontas County CVB encourages everyone to follow these seven principles when exploring the outdoors:

Principle 1: Plan Ahead and Prepare
Principle 2: Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Principle 3: Dispose of Waste Properly
Principle 4: Leave What You Find
Principle 5: Minimize Campfire Impacts
Principle 6: Respect Wildlife 
Principle 7: Be Considerate of Others 

By practicing these guidelines, you help keep public lands clean, safe and beautiful for generations to come. You can also give back by supporting trail maintenance groups such as the West Virginia Scenic Trails Association, Pocahontas Trails, Watoga State Park Foundation, and volunteer crews with the Monongahela National Forest, Snowshoe Mountain Resort and the Greenbrier River Trail.

This season of gratitude, we invite you to support Pocahontas County in whatever way feels right for you. Request a free Adventure Guide to learn more about our area and start planning your next visit.