A popular semi-primitive campground adjacent to the Cranberry River and the "lowergate" entrance to the Cranberry Backcountry. This campground receives very high use during trout stocking from the beginning of spring through the end of June and again in the fall from September through October. During these high use times there are usually more campers waiting than there are sites available. During high use, the centrally located Bishop Knob Campground can usually accommodate campers when no sites are available along the Cranberry or Williams River Corridors.
Located on Forest Road 76, 13.5 miles from Richwood, West Virginia, and 7 miles from Dyer, West Virginia.
Sites are not reservable. Sites are on a first come, first serve basis.
Open Season:
Mid-March - end of November
Usage:
Medium-Heavy
Restrictions:
Maximum length of stay is 14 days.
Check-out time is 2:00 p.m.
Dogs are permitted if on a leash at all times. Leash must be 6 ft. or shorter. Food storage order applies to pet food also.
Single site limit is one wheeled camping unit only, defined as motorhome or travel trailer; no more than 8 people; no more than 2 vehicles. Vehicle pulling camper or trailer is considered 1 of the 2 allowed vehicles. Tents must be contained within the campsite.
Vehicles must be parked on gravel or paved spur, not in the woods, grass or road.
Discharging and draining gray water and black water (sewage) onto national forest lands is illegal and punishable by fines under 36 CFR 261.11(c) and 36 CFR 261.11 (d). Dump station and water fill are available in Richwood at Four Seasons Outfitter and Adventure Sports. Dump stations are also available in Marlinton. Cranberry Campground has its own dump station that is donation based.
Please see bulletin boards for more information.
Closest Towns:
Dyer, WV and Richwood, WV
Water:
Two Hand Pumps
Restroom:
Four accessible vault toilets
Operated By:
Forest Service
Information Center:
More information on this campground is available through the Gauley Ranger District, 932 North Fork Cherry Rd., Richwood, WV 26261 (304) 846-2695.
General Information
Directions:
From Richwood travel on mile east on State Route 39/55, then 12.5 miles north on Forest Road 76.
From Dyer on State Route 46 take Forest Road 101 approximately 6 miles, then left onto Forest Road 76 for one mile.
Campground features 28 single campsites and two double sites in two loops. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, lantern post and gravel parking spur. There are two handpumps and three accessible vault toilets. There is no electricity available but the use of generators is permitted from 6 am until 10 pm. No dump station is available at campground. There are two privately owned dump stations available in Richwood, WV.
RV Camping
Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, lantern post and gravel parking spur. There are two handpumps and three accessible vault toilets. There is no electricity available but the use of generators is permitted from 6 am until 10 pm. No dump station is available at campground. There are two privately owned dump stations available in Richwood, WV.
Hookups - Electric
None
Dump Stations
None. There is a privately owned one in Richwood, WV.
Size Restrictions
Most sites can accommodate a 40' trailer
Fishing
SHOW
River and Stream Fishing
Trout fishing in the adjacent Cranberry River. A valid West Virginia State Fishing License is required, along with a National Forest stamp, a Conservation stamp, and a trout stamp. Please contact the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources for more information on fishing and hunting licensing requirements. Check state fishing regulations for special Cranberry River Fishing Areas.
Hiking
SHOW
Day Hiking
Available in the adjacent Cranberry Backcountry and Cranberry Wilderness. The Cranberry Wilderness area was expanded by almost 12,000 acres in 2009. The wilderness area now starts just behind the gate adjacent to the North-South Trail and encompasses all of the old “backcountry area” north of FS76. With this addition the following trails are now wilderness and are closed to bicycles, wagons, pushcarts and other mechanized and motorized devices: North-South Trail #688, Lick Branch #212, Little Fork #242, Rough Run #213, and Birchlog #250. Please note that FS76 and FS102 remain outside the new wilderness boundary and are still open to bicycles, wagons, push carts and other types of non-motorized devices. Please see Cranberry Wilderness under special places on this website for a current detailed map of the new wilderness area.
Backpacking
Available in the adjacent Cranberry Backcountry and Cranberry Wilderness. The Cranberry Wilderness area was expanded by almost 12,000 acres in 2009. The wilderness area now starts just behind the gate adjacent to the North-South Trail and encompasses all of the old “backcountry area” north of FS76. With this addition the following trails are now wilderness and are closed to bicycles, wagons, pushcarts and other mechanized and motorized devices: North-South Trail #688, Lick Branch #212, Little Fork #242, Rough Run #213, and Birchlog #250. Please note that FS76 and FS102 remain outside the new wilderness boundary and are still open to bicycles, wagons, push carts and other types of non-motorized devices. Please see Cranberry Wilderness under special places on this website for a current detailed map of the new wilderness area.
HIDE
SHOW
