Horse Riding and Camping

Horse use is permitted virtually everywhere on the Forest, including behind gated roads. The only places specifically prohibited at this time are at developed recreation areas such as campgrounds and picnic areas, and a few special areas such as Cranberry Glades Botanical Area. Even though horses generally have free rein, there are no areas or trails specifically constructed, managed, or maintained for horse travel, and there are no existing facilities such as corrals or loading ramps. Many of our trails are on steep side slopes, along streams or under low hanging vegetation. They are suitable for hikers, but can be easily and quickly damaged by horses. Stock users are urged to practice "Leave No Trace" (LNT) backcountry techniques to not only ensure quality experiences for others, but also to maintain the privilege of horseback riding on the Monongahela in the future.

A non-inclusive list of areas on the Forest (broken down by Ranger District) offering horseback riding opportunities follows:

Cheat Ranger District

Canyon Rim Road #18, and Canyon Rim Trail #117, Pheasant/Shingletree roads and trails

Gauley Ranger District

One area particularly well suited for riding is Forest Road 102 which traverses the Cranberry Backcountry and follows the scenic Cranberry River. The road is closed to public vehicles, but open to horses, bicycles, and hikers. It has a wide enough surface to pass easily and has high clearance. Use in the adjacent Cranberry Wilderness is not encouraged.
Birch Log Trail 250; Pocahontas Trail 263; Little Fork Trail 242; Rough Run Trail 213; Forest Road (FR) FR76; FR77; FR78; FR99; FR232; FR731.

Greenbrier Ranger District

Rides on the Greenbrier Ranger District cover a variety of terrain and roads. Surfaces very from pine needles and leaves to gravel. Most of the routes are on roads or trails that are closed to motor vehicles; however, some exposure to traffic is unavoidable if you want to make a loop. Middle Mountain Road, going past Camp Pocahontas, is the busiest road; log truck traffic on this road may exceed two vehicles per hour at certain times of the day. This road is a two lane gravel road; its roadside varies from flat to abrupt cutbanks, thus opportunities to get your horse off the road are limited.
There are bridge crossings at Camp Pocahontas on FR 804 and at Burner where Span Oak Trail #321 intersects FR 44. Going around these bridges may be a challenge for your horse because these fords are steep and rocky. Trails sometimes have trees blown down across them, but most can be skirted with minimal difficulty; however, you may want to bring a small collapsible camp saw or an axe. Remember to only cut dead or downed trees.
Elevation changes of 800 - 1,000 feet occur on some of the loops. You may want to bring an easyboot or two in case your horse throws a shoe or has a hoof injury. The nearest farrier is 25 miles from Bartow and he is hard to contact before 9:00 in the evening!
The West Fork Trail #312 is also well suited for horseback use; however, it is a long distance trail that could only serve as a loop if a rider wanted to use FR44 (a road with similar conditions as described above for Middle Mountain Road).
The West Fork Trail (rail-to-trail) streaches north to south from Glady, West Virginia, to Durbin, West Virginia. It is approximately 20 miles long and follows along the West Fork of the Greenbrier River. It is an old railroad bed that is wide, fairly level, and varies from grassy cover to small rock. It provides a leisurely ride through peaceful wooded forest, brushy wetlands, and across old railroad bridges. This trail intersects with some private land, thus a rider would have to go through several gates at the north end near Glady. Please remember to close all the gates you pass through.
The West Fork Trail is only a short distance from FR44. If you decide to ride the West Fork Trail and Forest Service roads in the area, you may want to park your vehicle and trailer along FR44. We recommend parking near the southern half of the trail nead Wildell, May or Little River because these areas have more, and wider parking/camping sites than areas further north near Glady. Immediately following are some of the routes:
West Fork Trail #312 (rail-to-trail) (not a loop trail); Span Oak Trail #312; Burner Mountain Trail #322; Hinkle Run Trail #367; FR14; FR17; FR97; FR222; FR242; FR248; FR803; FR804; State Road (SR)250/4.
The upper Shavers Fork area south of US 250 between Cheat Mountain on the west and Shavers Mountain on the east has a fairly extensive system of roads.

Marlinton/White Sulphur Ranger District

Middle Mountain Trail; Bannock Shoals Trail; Marlin Mountain Route; FR345; FR55 FR135; FR461; Greenbrier River Trail (75 mile rail-to-trail from Cass to I-64).

Potomac Ranger District

Seneca backcountry system between Seneca Creek and Gandy Creek; Flat Rock/Roaring Plains area - note these trails are tough rock trails.

If you would like more detailed information on a particular route, please contact the appropriate Ranger District listed above.

The State of West Virginia maintains a toll free number, 1-800-CALL-WVA, and an internet site, www.wvtourism.com, where you can get additional information on horseback riding elsewhere in the State. While the Forest does not operate livery stables, there are some adjacent to the Forest in the State Parks and in private ownership.