Smoke Hole Canyon

Smoke Hole Canyon is a dramatic limestone gorge carved by the South Branch of the Potomac River in the Monongahela National Forest, offering premier rock climbing, fishing, paddling, and scenic driving. Centered around Big Bend Campground, the canyon features sheer cliffs rising hundreds of feet above the river, while Appalachian folklore claims the area’s name from smoke rising from hidden moonshine stills in riverside caves. Access from Petersburg makes Smoke Hole a popular destination for climbers tackling world-class crags and paddlers navigating the South Branch’s calm waters.