In the middle of the bustling city of Wheeling, West Virginia, lies a little-known cave with a legendary – and infamous – history. Are you brave enough for this off-the-beaten-path adventure?
Wetzel’s Cave is neither an advertised destination nor a protected landmark, but it is a spot familiar to locals that carries a long and checkered history dating back to the days of Lewis Wetzel, a hero-villain of the pioneer era.
James blake / GoogleMaps
Wetzel, who lived from around 1763 through 1808, was a member of one of the early families to settle along Wheeling Creek.
Ryan Stanton / Flickr Living in an isolated section of country, and surrounded by natives stirred up by unjust treaties and other grievances, the Wetzels’ community became targets of many raids. Having escaped being briefly captured by Native Americans at age 13, and having seen his father and brother die in an attack, the adult Lewis grew to become a notorious killer of Native Americans. While some settlers in the region viewed Lewis as a hero, others saw him as an unstable and dangerous character.
Wetzel’s Cave was a hideout which, according to legend, Wetzel used in many of his murderous escapades. This cave, cut into a sandstone cliff not far from Tunnel Green Park, can still be visited today.
Ryan Stanton / Flickr The entrance passage of the cave goes back several feet, and then branches into two separate passages which in turn divide into other rooms and areas. The cave system is believed to have been much larger in Wetzel’s day.
The cave can be explored by following the Wheeling Heritage Trail - a paved biking and hiking trail - to the mouth of Hempfield Tunnel, a historic 470-foot former Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Tunnel with a dark past of its own.
Ryan Stanton / Flickr
Turning to the right just before the tunnel, follow the narrow path up the side of the rock formation a short distance until you see the mouth of the cave on the left.
Ryan Stanton / Flickr
If you continue beyond the cave, you’ll come to a unique overhanging rock formation that forms a partial cave (with a remarkable natural skylight).
James blake / GoogleMaps
As if the violent history of its namesake wasn’t enough, the cave has been more recently been used as a hideout by at least one convicted murderer.
James blake / GoogleMaps
What happened to Lewis Wetzel? After being convicted of killing a peaceful Seneca chief, Wetzel fled to the newly purchased Louisiana Territory, where he was later imprisoned for counterfeiting money. Though he appears to have died in what was then the Mississippi Territory, his remains were returned to his native West Virginia to be buried (in nearby Marshall County).
Bryan K. French / Wikipedia
If you’re in the Wheeling, West Virginia area, take a short detour to view or (carefully) explore the legendary Wetzel’s Cave! For more caving opportunities in West Virginia, try a self-guided tour of Lost World Caverns in Lewisburg.
James blake / GoogleMaps
Ryan Stanton / Flickr
Living in an isolated section of country, and surrounded by natives stirred up by unjust treaties and other grievances, the Wetzels’ community became targets of many raids. Having escaped being briefly captured by Native Americans at age 13, and having seen his father and brother die in an attack, the adult Lewis grew to become a notorious killer of Native Americans. While some settlers in the region viewed Lewis as a hero, others saw him as an unstable and dangerous character.
The entrance passage of the cave goes back several feet, and then branches into two separate passages which in turn divide into other rooms and areas. The cave system is believed to have been much larger in Wetzel’s day.
Bryan K. French / Wikipedia
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Address: Wetzels Cave, Wheeling, WV 26003, USA
