ELKINS, W.Va. — Travelers planning to explore the high mountains of eastern West Virginia this summer should expect significant road closures in parts of the Monongahela National Forest as major construction projects begin to repair storm damage, improve stream crossings for native wildlife, and upgrade access to some of the state’s most popular outdoor destinations.
Beginning July 20, the Elkins-based U.S. Forest Service will temporarily close portions of three forest roads in the rugged headwaters of the Greenbrier and Williams rivers. While the projects will inconvenience motorists, officials say the improvements will make the roads safer, protect sensitive waterways, and improve long-term access to public lands.
The closures affect remote sections of the forest popular with campers, anglers, hikers, hunters, and off-road travelers.
Williams River Road faces extended construction
The largest project will close portions of Forest Road 86 (Williams River Road) between Forest Road 216 and West Virginia Route 150.
The road sustained extensive flood damage during recent high-water events, and crews will repair the roadway while improving drainage and overall safety.
Construction will occur in phases, so different sections of the road may close at different times. During active work, through traffic will be prohibited, and visitors may need to take substantially longer alternate routes.
Fortunately, some of the area’s best-known recreation sites—including Tea Creek Campground and the Three Forks Trailhead, a popular gateway into the Cranberry Backcountry—are expected to remain accessible from the western side of the forest through Dyer. Drivers should allow additional travel time as access routes change during construction.
Private property owners will continue to have access throughout the project.
Wildlife restoration projects close two additional roads
Separate work beginning the same week will temporarily close portions of Forest Roads 17 and 44 through Aug. 21 while crews replace stream crossings to restore natural movement of fish and aquatic wildlife.
The projects are part of the Upper Greenbrier River Aquatic Organism Passage Initiative, an effort to remove barriers that prevent native fish, salamanders, crayfish, and other aquatic species from moving naturally through mountain streams.
One project will replace the low-water crossing on Forest Road 17 at the Little River. At the same time, conservation crews will maintain an existing nearby aquatic crossing, reducing the need for future closures.
Another project on Forest Road 44 will improve a tributary of the West Fork Greenbrier River near Elklick Run. Soil excavated during construction will be used to level an adjacent dispersed camping area, leaving the site in better condition once vegetation returns.
Because the streams support habitat for the federally endangered Candy Darter, construction schedules have been carefully coordinated to protect the fish and its critical habitat.
Earlier opening for Elklick Road
To minimize inconvenience during the closures, the Forest Service will open Forest Road 179 (Elklick Road) to motorized traffic on July 20. Normally, the seasonal road does not open until Sept. 1.
Officials say the early opening should provide an alternate route for many forest visitors during construction.
Planning ahead is recommended
Visitors are encouraged to check current forest conditions before traveling to the area. Motorists should expect flaggers, construction equipment, changing traffic patterns, and occasional delays. Vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians will not be allowed through active work zones.
The Monongahela National Forest encompasses nearly one million acres of public land in eastern West Virginia and includes some of the state’s most popular destinations for camping, trout fishing, backpacking, scenic driving, and fall foliage viewing. Many recreation areas will remain open during construction, though reaching them may require longer drives.
The Forest Service says additional closure schedules, detour information, and recreation access updates will be announced as work progresses.
About the Monongahela National Forest
Covering nearly one million acres across the mountains of eastern West Virginia, the Monongahela National Forest is one of the largest public recreation areas in the central Appalachian Mountains. Established in 1920, the forest spans elevations from about 1,000 to more than 4,800 feet, protecting some of the East’s highest peaks, headwater streams, and most biologically diverse forests. Its cool climate, rugged landscapes, and abundant wildlife attract millions of visitors seeking outdoor recreation each year.
The forest is renowned for scenic mountain drives, trout fishing, hiking, camping, mountain biking, hunting, and paddling. It is home to iconic destinations including the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area, Dolly Sods Wilderness, Cranberry Wilderness, the Highland Scenic Highway, and hundreds of miles of trails winding through old-growth forests and high-elevation meadows. Beyond recreation, the Monongahela plays a vital role in protecting clean drinking water, conserving wildlife habitat, and supporting tourism and local economies throughout the Mountain State.
The national forest takes its name from the Monongahela River, one of the two tributary sources of the Ohio River, which originates in the territory of the national forest.