Outdoor Science and Learning
The Monongahela National Forest offers an abundance to learn. From programs at our Visitors Center to a roadside interpretive panel along a scenic drive, we offer an interpretive experience able to connect anyone to the forest.
Our diverse ecosystem supports a variety of plant and animal species. Forest types range from high elevation spruce to northern hardwood to oak and hickory.
Viewing Wildlife
We are home to many species of animals, including black bears, whitetail deer and migratory songbirds. Many rivers and streams originate on the forest, and provide habitat for freshwater species, such as the native brook trout.
Remember, view wildlife from a distance, respect their space and keep wildlife wild.
Search for Outdoor Science and Learning Opportunities
Bickle Knob Observation Tower
Site Open
High atop Bickle Knob sits the Bickle Knob observation tower where visitors can catch the panoramic vista of the surrounding forest. Located approximately 10 miles northeast of Elkins, West Virginia,…
Canaan Mountain Backcountry
Canaan Mountain is a high elevation plateau ranging in elevations from 4,145 feet at Pointy Knob to 3,100 feet near Blackwater Falls State Park. The semi-primitive area consists of approximately…
Cranberry Glades Botanical Area
Site Open
The Cranberry Glades Botanical Area protects the largest area of bogs in West Virginia. Bogs are acidic wetlands more commonly found in the northern areas of this country and in Canada. The ground in…
Cranberry Mountain Nature Center
Site Open
The Cranberry Mountain Nature Center is fun for visitors of all ages and backgrounds, and includes an exhibit hall, auditorium, events and programs. The center also features a native plant garden, a…
Dolly Sods Wilderness
Site Open
The 17,371 acre Dolly Sods Wilderness in the Monongahela National Forest is part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. It is located in Grant, Randolph, and Tucker Counties, West Virginia.…
Falls of Hills Creek
Site Open
Tucked away in a narrow gorge just off the Highland Scenic Highway is a hidden treasure known as the Falls of Hills Creek Scenic Area. This popular 114 acre area contains three waterfalls - 25 feet,…
Gaudineer Picnic Area
Site Open
Several somewhat secluded picnic sites sit at the end of a half-mile loop trail though impressive old growth stands of Virgin Red Spruce. The Gaudineer Scenic Overlook also sits along this…
Gaudineer Scenic Area
This scenic area is managed to feature an undisturbed condition of the West Virginia highlands for study and enjoyment. Maintaining the natural appearance of the area is an essential management goal…
Highland Scenic Highway
Site Open
The Highland Scenic Highway is a designated National Scenic Byway that extends 43 miles from Richwood to US Route 219, north of Marlinton. Four scenic overlooks provide a comfortable rest stop, with…
Laurel Fork Wilderness
The Laurel Fork of the Cheat River is characterized by its narrow valley floor with regularly dissected slopes and long narrow ridges. The continuous forest cover of primarily Beech, Maple, Birch,…