Cranberry Wilderness
The Cranberry Wilderness spans 47,815 acres in Pocahontas and Webster Counties, West Virginia. It is the largest Forest Service Wilderness Area in the eastern United States, featuring broad mountains and deep valleys with elevations ranging from 2,400 to over 4,600 feet. The Wilderness encompasses the Middle Fork of the Williams River and the North Fork of the Cranberry River on the Allegheny Plateau.
The area is home to Appalachian hardwoods and red spruce at higher elevations. Wildlife includes black bears, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, grouse, rabbits, mink, bobcats, and foxes. The streams are not stocked due to naturally acidic water, and frost can occur year-round. Over 70 miles of maintained hiking trails, such as the Middle Fork Trail (9 miles) and North Fork Trail (7.5 miles), offer access to the area. There are no trails maintained for horse use or bridges over streams, so caution is advised when fording streams during high water.
General Information
Maps and Guides Resources
- Cranberry Wilderness Brochure
- Cranberry Wilderness Trail Map
- Cranberry Wilderness Boundary Map.
- West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Guides and Regulations
- Trout Stocking Schedule
- Wilderness.net – Cranberry Wilderness
Trailhead Locations
There are three Trailheads located off the Highland Scenic Highway (HSH):
- Big Beechy TH (38.294685, -80.247361)
- North South – East TH (38.276448, -80.237881)
- Forks of Cranberry TH (38.230937, -80.239656)
There is one trailhead by Cranberry Campground:
- North South – West TH (38.323000, -80.438763)
There is two Trailhead on Forest Road 86:
- Three Forks TH (38.338399, -80.375164)
- County Line TH (38.371689, -80.274438)
This is a federally dedicated wilderness area. The Forest manages wilderness to offer visitors challenge, discovery, and self-reliance. This enables you to meet nature on its terms, not modify it to suit your own. If you choose to enter one of our Wilderness areas, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Motorized and mechanical equipment, including but not limited to chainsaws, mountain bikes and deer carts, are not permitted within the Wilderness.
- Horses and other stock are permitted. However, many of our Wilderness trails are steep, rocky, and/or boggy and are not conducive to stock use. In some places, there are narrow footpaths. Heavy stock animals create a lot of damage to soft soils or can harm themselves on the rocks. We suggest hiking in the Wilderness areas and riding in other places in the Forest.
More information on wilderness areas can be found at wilderness.net.
Trails are not marked or blazed. Small rock cairns may mark areas where the trail is difficult to follow, but since some hikers put up or knock down cairns for their own reasons, these are not always reliable.
The trails don’t always stay in their traditional locations or where the maps indicate. To enhance wildness, any obstacle that can be stepped over, ducked under, or walked around without significant damage to the environment or reasonable risk to safety is left in place. This allows the natural process of the Wilderness to continue with little impairment and creates a wilder, more natural appearance.
Plan ahead and have a map before you come; they are not stocked at trailheads. Topographic maps are more useful than simple line-drawn maps. A compass should be considered a necessity.
In addition to applicable forest-wide regulations, these special regulations are in effect in the Cranberry Wilderness.
- Groups over 10 persons are prohibited in the Wilderness
- Pets must be under your control at all times.
- Motor vehicles are restricted to roads and parking areas. Mechanical transportation, such as bicycles, wagons, wheelbarrows and carts are prohibited.
- Horse use is discouraged in the Cranberry Wilderness. Trails were developed to provide minimum requirements for safe visitor use and to protect vegetation, soil and water. The trails are maintained for human use only. Please consider other areas such as the closed portion of Forest Road 76 and Forest Road 102 for horse use.
- Always practice “Leave No Trace” camping and hiking techniques to reduce your impacts. By making it hard for others to see and hear you, you will minimize your impact on other visitors.
- Campfires are discouraged because of the severe impacts they cause. Use a lightweight lantern and cook stove instead. If you do build a fire, follow these important guidelines; choose a site that has already been impacted, keep fires small, use only dead and down wood for fuel, and scatter ashes 100ft. from campsite.
- To protect your solitude, and that of others, locating your campsite 200 feet or more from roads, streams and trails is a good rule to follow.
- Trash: “Pack it in, pack it out.” Remember, aluminum doesn’t burn. Clean your campsite before you leave. Human waste should be buried 7” - 8” deep at least 200 feet from roads, streams and trails.
- Trails are not marked or blazed. Signs are found only at trail junctions. Stay on designated trails. Do not create new trails. There are no bridges at river or stream crossings. Trails can be muddy and wet so be prepared to get your feet wet
- Visitors entering the Wilderness area are encouraged to register. Although registration is not mandatory we ask you to take a few moments to fill out a registration form at the trailhead or Nature Center.
Address: 932 Northfork Cherry Road Richwood, WV 26261
Phone: (304) 846-2695
Hours: Monday through Friday 8 am to 4:30 pm Eastern time, unless otherwise posted. (Closed on federal holidays)
Getting There
Directions
From I-79, take Exit 57, follow U.S. 19 south to Rt. 55 east, to Rt. 150. From I-64, take exit 169 and follow U.S. Rt. 219 north to Rt. 39 west to Rt. 150. Rt. 150, the Highland Scenic Highway, is not snowplowed in winter and is closed to vehicular traffic.
Facility and Amenity Information
Restrooms
Restroom information is not available for this site.
Water
Potable water is not available at this site.
Recreation Opportunities
Backpacking Info
Wilderness trails are maintained with a narrower tread and pathway than other forest trails. Trails are marked only at junctions and there are no bridges at stream crossings. Visitors should use a map and compass when traveling in the wilderness. USGS topographic quads covering the Wilderness include: Hillsboro, Lobelia, Webster Springs SE, Webster Springs SW and Woodrow. These are available at the Nature Center and Gauley Ranger Station. Caution is urged when using these maps as trail relocations may cause discrepancies with locations on the maps. Practice Leave No Trace outdoor ethics: do not build a camp within 200 feet of roads, streams and trails.
Backpacking Tips
- Bring drinking water; otherwise, treat water from streams and springs before drinking to kill harmful pathogens. Vigorously boil local water for at least three minutes or use a filter which is specifically labeled for removal of Giardia. Chemical treatments (iodine and chlorine) are not considered effective.
- Freezing temperatures and snow can occur anytime of the year, but mainly between October and April. Dress for the weather.
- Practice Leave No Trace outdoor ethics: do not build a camp within 200 feet of stream.
- Light weight camping stoves are encouraged.
- If using firewood, it must be dead AND down branches only. Keep fires small.
- During hunting seasons, hikers are encouraged to wear high visibility clothing.
Day Hikes Info
Wilderness trails are maintained with a narrower tread and pathway than other forest trails. Trails are marked only at junctions and there are no bridges at stream crossings. Visitors should use a map and compass when traveling in the wilderness.
HuntingHunting Info
Hunting is allowed within the Cranberry Wilderness Area. Hunters must be 150 yards from any occupied area or structure before discharging weapons. They must also abide by all state hunting regulations.
Fishing - River/StreamFishing - River/Stream Info
Fishing is allowed. Cranberry River has multiple sections of Catch and Release, please check regulations before fishing in this area. A valid West Virginia State Fishing License is required, along with a Conservation Stamp and Trout Fishing Stamp.
Horseback Riding Info
Forest Road 76, starting from South Fork Parking area to Cranberry Campground, is approximately 16 miles long and good for horseback riding.
XC Skiing/Snowshoeing Info
The road and trails are not groomed for cross-country skiing. Both road and surrounding trails can offer a good venue. The trails tend to be wet at times.
Interpretive Areas/Exhibits Info
The Cranberry Glades is located approximately .2 miles south of South Fork Parking Area and is a great location to view plants, wildlife and beautiful scenery. The Cranberry Mountain Nature Center is also located approximately 3 miles from the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area and offers many learning opportunities for visitors.