Hampshire County
northeast edge of the Potomac Highlands, less than 2 hours from downtownWashington DC. Because the heritage of Capon is omnipresent (the entire complex is on listed on the National Register of Historic Places), the resort has remained unaffected by many of the trends that define today’s vacation retreats. There are 12 guest lodges on the property, each with two to 20 guest rooms, plus two private lodging facilities for couples. At Capon, the general idea is to give people plenty of things to do—but never rush them to do anything. There’s a golf course on the property; nine holes are regulation length, and a second nine are par three, pitch and putt style. Fling golf is now a popular addition on both courses. There’s an award winning spring-fed swimming pool. You’ll find a half-acre fishing pond that is regularly stocked with trout, but also features bluegill, bass, catfish, and carp. All the recreational equipment is available to borrow, including bamboo fishing poles. You can choose from three tennis courts, one of which is also set up for pickle ball. You can hike by yourself or join the weekly nature guide. Evenings are filled with family fun like regular Bingo parties and live local music like bluegrass. There’s even an elaborate scavenger hunt that changes every year—it’s called the Caponchase Adventure. One centerpiece of the Capon experience is the spa, a relatively new addition but one that melds organically with the original vision for Capon. People have traveled to this property for its spring water—believed to heal sickness and relieve stress—since the late 1700s. In 2007, Capon built a new facility, the Hygeia Bath House and Spa, in a style reminiscent of the original bathhouse but with modern amenities. 3818 Capon Springs Road, 304.874.3695, caponsprings.net
Capon Springs and Farms: A Healing Retreat
Capon Springs and Farms is hard to describe to modern audiences. It is an old-fashioned seasonal getaway that people return to year after year because it feels like coming home. Established originally as a state owned 19th century healing springs resort, it is now family-owned and operated, treating guests like personal friends visiting them. Resurrected in
1932—today the founders’ grandchildren and great-grandchildren are at the helm—and in 2013 was named Family Owned Business of the Year by the West Virginia Small Business Administration. Capon Springs and Farms was voted the best family vacation spot by the readers of WV Living magazine in 2018, 2019 & 2020. This all-inclusive resort is located on the
Healing Waters Capon Springs as a resort was restarted practically by accident. Lou and Virginia Austin, the resort’s founders, bought the rundown remnants of a 19th century resort in 1932 only because they wanted access to the groundwater springs on the property. Since the early 1800s, people had traveled to this out of the way place under doctors’ orders to drink as well as bathe in the famous spring water. Lou believed the water had medicinal properties, so he felt it was his mission to bottle and distribute
it. Gradually the couple rebuilt the facilities and, as friends who visited told their friends, the resort grew by word of mouth. You can enjoy the healing waters today as it flows and is used throughout the entire property. At the resort’s spa, the spring-fed soaking baths were designed after the original brick-lined baths from the mid-1800s. 3818 Capon Springs Road, 304.874.3695, caponsprings.net
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