Recreation
The Monongahela National Forest is a recreation destination and major tourism attraction. The extensive backwoods road and trail system is available for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. There are many miles of railroad grades that are a link in the recreation use of the forest. Recreation ranges from self-reliant treks in the wildernesses and backcountry areas to the challenges of mountain climbing to traditional developed site camping. hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing are also popular uses.
The national importance of the recreation resource of the Monongahela has been recognized through the designation of the Spruce Knob – Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area (NRA), the first NRA in the Forest Service, National Scenic Byway status for the Highland Scenic Highway, and eight Wilderness Areas.
The 2026 opening dates for developed recreation sites are now available. Please review the list below for scheduled openings across the Forest. Please note, dates are subject to change based on local weather conditions.
Cheat-Potomac Ranger District in the Elkins and Parsons areas:
- Bear Heaven Campground — 4/15
- Bickle Knob Observation Tower — When Snow Free
- Horseshoe Recreation Area — 5/13
- Lower Glady Dispersed Camping (Forest Road 162) — 4/15
- Olson Tower Observation Site — When Snow Free
- Stuart Recreation Area — 4/17
Cheat-Potomac Ranger District in the Petersburg and Seneca Rocks areas:
- Big Bend Campground — 4/10
- Forest Road 19 in the Dolly Sods area — 4/1, When Snow Free
- Forest Road 75 in the Dolly Sods area — 4/15, When Snow Free
- Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping (County Route 29) — Area opens when snow-free; toilets open 4/15
- Gatewood Group Campground — 4/16
- Jess Judy Group Campground — 4/10
- Red Creek Campground — 4/15
- Seneca Rocks Discovery Center — 4/16 Open Thursday through Monday 9:30am to 5:00pm
- Seneca Rocks Picnic Area — 4/15
- Seneca Shadows Campground — 4/10
- Spruce Knob Lake Campground — 4/17
- Spruce Knob Lake — 4/15
- Spruce Knob Observation Tower — 4/15
Greenbrier Ranger District in the Bartow area:
- Allegheny Battlefield — When Snow Free
- Cheat Summit Fort — When Snow Free
- Gaudineer Knob Picnic Area — 4/15
- Island Campground — 4/15
- Lake Buffalo— 4/15
- Laurel Fork Campground—(2 Double Sites) — 4/15
- Little River Dispersed Camping Forest Road (FR) 17 — When Snow Free
- Middle Mountain Cabins — 4/15
- Mower Tract Dispersed Camping — When Snow Free
- Old House Run Picnic Area Shelter capacity 48 people — 4/15
- Stonecoal Campground FR 209 — 4/15
Gauley Ranger District in the Richwood area:
- Bear Run Dispersed Camping (Forest Road 223) – Area opens when snow-free
- Big Rock Campground – 4/3
- Bishop Knob Campground – 5/18
- Cranberry Campground – 4/20
- Cranberry Glades Boardwalk – Boardwalk open year-round
- Cranberry Mountain Nature Center — 4/16 Open Thursday through Monday 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM; Sundays close at 4:00 PM.
- Cranberry River Developed Dispersed Campsites – Area opens when snow-free; toilets open 4/3
- Falls of Hills Creek – Area opens when snow-free; toilets open 4/20
- North Bend Picnic Area – 5/1
- Red Oak Fire Lookout – 7/1
- Summit Lake – 4/13
- Summit Lake Campground – 5/1Large Picnic Pavilion – 5/18
- Third Bridge and North Bend Dispersed Camping (State Route 55) – Area opens when snow-free
- Williams River Developed Dispersed Campsites (sites #1 to #6, #8 to #20) – Area opens when snow-free; toilets open 4/3
- Woodbine Picnic Area –5/1
Marlinton-White Sulphur Ranger District in the Marlinton area:
- Day Run Campground – 4/20
- Highland Scenic Highway – Road opens when Snow Free.
- Pocahontas Campground – 4/20
- Rimel Picnic Area – 4/20
- Tea Creek Campground
- Campsites #1-18 – 4/20
- Campsites #19-28 – 4/13
- Williams River Developed Dispersed Campsites (sites #21 to #30) – Area opens- when Snow Free; toilets open 4/3
- Williams River Fishing Pier – Area opens when snow-free; toilet open 4/3
Marlinton-White Sulphur Ranger District in the White Sulphur Springs area:
- Anthony Creek Dispersed Camping (State Route 21/2) When Snow Free
- Blue Bend Recreation Area
- Campground Single Sites — 4/17
- Campground Single Site W/elec. (15) — 4/17
- Campground Double Site w/elec. (13) — 4/17
- Large Picnic Pavilion - 75 people — 5/1
- Small Picnic Pavilion - 25 people — 4/17
- Blue Meadow Group Campground — 5/22
- Hopkins Mountain Fireman’s Cabin— 4/10
- Lake Sherwood Entrance Road Dispersed Camping (State Route 14)— When snow free
- Lake Sherwood Recreation Area
- Day fee (per day) 5/1
- Day fee (season pass) 5/1
- Group Camping - 50 people — 5/18
- Meadow Creek Loop – Single Sites — 5/18
- Cales Knoll Loop – Single Sites — 5/18
- Pine Run Loop – Single Sites — 5/18
- West Shore Loop — 4/17
- Pavilion - 75 people — 5/18
Roadside camping, also called dispersed camping, is available in many areas of the Forest year-round. For more information about recreation facilities, contact the District Office near the location you would like to visit. Contact information is listed at our offices page.
The Cheat Ranger District is located in Parsons, WV. Some of the district’s highlights include:
The Gauley Ranger District is located in Richwood, WV.
District Contact Information
The Marlinton Ranger District is located in Marlinton, WV.
Operational Hours:
The White Sulphur Ranger District is located in White Sulphur Springs, WV.
Recreation
Allegheny Mountain Trail - Forest Trail 532
Allegheny Trail - Forest Trail 701
Bear Heaven Campground
Bee Trail - Forest Trail 555
Bickle Knob Observation Tower
Big Bend Campground
Big Draft Wilderness
Big Rock Campground
Big Run Trail - Forest Trail 527
Bishop Knob Campground