Discover Rock Cave

Rock Cave can be explored through a range of themes: State Route 20 leads north from here to the West Virginia Wildlife Center, while the Route 20 Diner and the Veterans Memorial at the “Y” intersection draw attention to the community itself. The history of Company C and a specific look at the 2020 Groundhog Festival add to the picture. Nature, food, and local history each bring their own emphasis. For your travel plans, you can decide whether wildlife, historical connections, or a meal stop should take center stage.

Wildlife on State Route 20

From Rock Cave, you can reach the West Virginia Wildlife Center by following State Route 20 two miles north. The center showcases native and introduced wildlife of the state. This puts wildlife at the center of the visit, while the direction and distance give you specific details for planning the outing. You can weigh nature watching and local history as different priorities for your stay.

Fidler’s Mill is a scenic and educational stop on West Virginia Route 20. The interior is closed, so do not plan to visit inside. This stop differs from the Wildlife Center: here, the mill is the focus as a scenic and educational stop, while the center focuses on the state’s native and introduced wildlife.

Diner and local history

The Route 20 Diner, formerly Gaine’s Diner, is located at the “Y” intersection in Rock Cave. It serves home-style food, as it did at its former location in Gaines. The menu and hours of operation may change; check the restaurant’s current information if you plan to eat there. This specific place to eat adds to the nature and history themes of your stay.

Rock Cave’s Veterans Memorial at the “Y” honors community members who served in the armed forces. The Veterans Memorial Wall in Rock Cave was upgraded and presented at a rededication ceremony. Company C was stationed in Centerville, now Rock Cave. This connection to local history is also reflected in the name of a stretch of road: a section of West Virginia Route 20 between Rock Cave and the Webster County line was named the “Upshur Civil War Company C Militia Memorial Highway” at a dedication ceremony in 2013 at its intersection with Route 4. The name recalls Company C and makes the historical connection visible along the route.

A dated look at the Groundhog Festival

In 2020, Rock Cave hosted the fifth annual weeklong Groundhog Festival. The opening included a ceremony and a potluck meal featuring “critter stew” at the Banks District Volunteer Fire Department. Unlike the memorial and highway name, this focuses on a specific festival year. The opening festivities add a specific glimpse of that year’s program to the local history.

Choose the right focus for your trip

When looking for a vacation rental in Rock Cave, a simple question can help you decide what to prioritize: Should nature watching be the deciding factor, or would you like to include more local history, remembrance, and food? The Wildlife Center, memorial, highway name, and diner represent different aspects of the community. If you’re traveling with children, wildlife and the history of Company C can offer different conversation starters.

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Back to the broader travel overview: Upshur.