Analog Escapes
← West Virginia

Unplugging in the Radio Quiet Zone

There's a part of West Virginia where your phone mostly stops working, and it's on purpose. Since 1958 the National Radio Quiet Zone has limited radio signals across about 13,000 square miles of West Virginia, Virginia and a bit of Maryland, so the big telescopes at Green Bank can listen to space without interference. Right around the observatory, even Wi-Fi is restricted.

For most people that sounds like a problem. For a weekend away it's kind of perfect. You can't scroll when nothing loads.

See them on the map

Where to stay

Most of the places to stay are small inns, cabins and rental houses. Pick Marlinton if you want a town to walk around, Durbin or the farms around Frost if you want it really quiet, and Snowshoe if you're coming to ski.

A small inn with a few cabins just outside Marlinton. Two creeks run through the property and it's a good spot for bird watching. The one-bedroom chalet has a hot tub and a fireplace, and some rooms come with breakfast. Full disclosure: this one is ours.

What to do

Green Bank Observatory
The Green Bank Telescope is the largest fully steerable radio telescope in the world, and it looks it. The science center runs tours. Near the telescopes they'll ask you to turn off your phone, which won't be much of a change by then.
Cass Scenic Railroad
Old steam engines still haul people up the mountain on the old logging line. The town of Cass is a preserved company town, and you can stay in some of the old houses.
Greenbrier River Trail
About 78 miles of flat, old railroad bed along the river, right through Marlinton. Walk a few miles of it or bike the whole thing.
Cranberry Glades
A boardwalk loop through mountain bogs with plants you'd normally have to go a lot farther north to see. From there, the Highland Scenic Highway (Route 150) runs along the ridge, and the Falls of Hills Creek are a short hike off the road.
Watoga State Park
Lake, trails and cabins south of Marlinton, and a good place to see the stars on a clear night.

The towns

Marlinton is the county seat and the biggest town, which isn't saying much. It has a small main street, a couple of places to eat and the river trail.

Green Bank is the observatory and not a lot else. Durbin is a tiny railroad town on the upper Greenbrier. Slatyfork sits at the bottom of Snowshoe, and Hillsboro, down south, is where the writer Pearl S. Buck was born.

Before you go

  • Expect little or no cell service outside Marlinton and Snowshoe. Download maps before you go and tell someone where you'll be.
  • Most places still have Wi-Fi, but don't count on streaming. Bring a book.
  • It's about four to five hours from DC or Pittsburgh and around two and a half from Charleston or Roanoke. Plan on two nights at least.