National forests in West Virginia showcase the state’s stunning natural beauty and provide endless opportunities for outdoor adventure and relaxation. Home to the vast Monongahela National Forest and parts of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, West Virginia offers visitors over 900,000 acres of scenic woodlands, rugged mountains, and pristine rivers. Hikers, campers, hunters, and wildlife watchers can explore miles of trails, secluded campsites, and breathtaking overlooks throughout these protected lands. Popular spots like Spruce Knob, Dolly Sods Wilderness, and Cranberry Glades highlight the rich biodiversity and unique landscapes that make West Virginia’s national forests a top destination for nature lovers seeking an authentic Appalachian escape.
PETERSBURG, W.Va. — Roads leading through Dolly Sods in northern West Virginia will close to motor vehicles for the winter beginning on January 3, 2023, according to officials with the Monongahela National Forest. Rangers will close the gates on Forest Roads 19 and 75 to prevent emergencies in the high-elevation environment, according to Jim Morgan, … Read more
ELKINS, W.Va. — Visitors recreating in the Monongahela National Forest over the weekend may see impacts from the remnants of Hurricane Ian, according to National Forest Service officials The National Weather Service predicts heavy rain and high winds in some areas through Monday. The southern half of the national forest has the most potential for … Read more
HILLSBORO, W.Va. — Five hundred miles south of the Canadian muskegs, visitors to the highest mountains in West Virginia may be surprised to find a uniquely similar highland botanical area. Supported by the cool climate of the lofty Allegheny Mountains, the 750-acre Cranberry Glades Botanical Area includes plants that aren’t otherwise found so far south … Read more
DAVIS, W.Va.—The Dolly Sods Wilderness is part of the Monongahela National Forest in the Allegheny Mountains. It is arguably one of the most remarkable natural regions in West Virginia, if not the entire East Coast. To get a sense of why that is, travelers need to understand what this federally managed land is—a nearly 17,500-acre … Read more
COWEN, W.Va.—The Monongahela National Forest will re-open 15 miles of forest road 86 along the Williams River from Laurel Run to the entrance of Tea Creek Campground on Friday, according to a spokesperson for the forest service. Soon after, the scenic backcountry route that crosses through a remote section of the Allegheny Mountains will reopen … Read more
The Monongahela National Forest has received $6 million in funding from the 2020 Great American Outdoors Act to support seven projects across the Forest in 2022. These projects are part of $503 million in Great American Outdoors Act investments across USDA-managed lands to address deferred maintenance, improve infrastructure, increase user access, and support rural economies … Read more
RICHWOOD, W.Va.—Families touring Cranberry Glades and the Falls of Hills Creek this weekend are in store for extra fun on Cranberry Fun Day at Cranberry Mountain Nature Center Saturday, July 20, 2019. Begin at 11 a.m. and continue all afternoon, the annual event is geared for youth and families with children and includes a program … Read more
Officials with the Monongahela National Forest are encouraging the public to participate in Scenic Drive Day at the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center on Saturday, June 17, as part of the center’s fiftieth-anniversary celebration. Live mountain music, a classic-car cruise-in, and the opportunity to join other like-minded travelers on the highway are all partof the day-long … Read more
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – West Virginia state forester Randy Dye today praised a new federal designation for the Monongahela National Forest designed to allow the division to work more effectively with the federal government to combat insect and disease threats. Governor Earl Ray Tomblin requested the designation, citing several threats to the 919,000-acre forest, including beech … Read more
