Roaring Plains West

The 6,792 acre Roaring Plains West Wilderness area is located approximately 3 miles southwest of the Dolly Sods Wilderness. Canaan Valley State Park is about 5 miles north of the area. Primary access is from the Flatrock Run Trail #519 and Forest Road 70 (gated, but open during autumn hunting season). The vegetation is diverse and consists of mixed hardwoods, red spruce and brush, with an under-story of bogs, grasses and rhododendron. The elevations ranges from 3,000 along the southern perimeter of the area to over 4,700 feet at the top of Mt. Porte Crayon.

For more information see Map.

At a Glance

Restrictions:	Groups over 10 persons are prohibited in Wilderness. Mountain bikes and mechanical devices such as carts are not allowed on Wilderness trails. Removal of plants, stone or moss is prohibited. Pets must be under your control at all times. Motor vehicles are restricted to roads and parking areas. Camp at least 200 feet from all roads, streams and trails. Follow Leave No Trace ethics.
Closest Towns:	Canaan Valley, WV and Petersburg, WV
Water:	Bring drinking water or treat water from streams and springs before drinking.
Information Center:	Potomac Ranger District

General Information

Directions:

From Petersburg follow WV 28/55 south to Jordan Run Road. Turn right and go 1 mile to Forest Road 19. Turn left and follow Forest Road 19 for 6 miles until it intersects with Forest Road 75. At the intersection, turn left and continue on Forest Road 19. Forest Road 70 (access to Roaring Plains Trail) will be on the left, about 1 mile after the junction with Forest Road 75. To access Flatrock Run Trail, continue on Forest Road 19. Cross Red Creek Bridge, travel 1.3 miles on County Rt. 45/1 to Bonner Mountain Road, turn left and continue for 0.5 mile to the trailhead parking that is located on your right just before bridge over Red Creek. Trail is 0.2 miles west on left side of Bonner Mountain Road.

From Canaan Valley follow WV Rt. 32 south to Laneville Road (County Rt. 45/4) and turn left. To access Flatrock Run Trail, travel approximately 4.4 miles to Bonner Mountain Road, turn right and go about 0.5 to the trailhead parking that is located on your right just before the bridge over Red Creek. Trail is 0.2 miles west on left side of Bonner Mountain Road.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Day Hiking

The 7.4 miles of trail system is open to hikers and equestrians. The 1 mile section of Flatrock Run Trail outside the wilderness is an easement through private land and is open to hiker only.

Backpacking

The 7.4 miles of trail system is open to hikers. The 1 mile section of Flatrock Run Trail #519 outside the wilderness is an easement through private land and is open to hikers only. Please respect private property and stay on the trail.

Horse Riding

Horses and other stock are permitted, except on the 1 mile section of private ownership on Flatrock Trail #519. 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, especially in areas that are rerouted around obstacles. In these conditions, heavy stock animals create a lot of damage to soft soils or can harm themselves on the rocks. They are difficult to maneuver in narrow places when meeting other visitors. There are also very few places that provide sufficient forage for stock.

Big Game Hunting

Small Game Hunting

Game Bird/Waterfowl

Viewing Wildlife

The area provides habitat for a diversity of wildlife species. Species within the area include whitetail deer, black bear, grouse, cottontail rabbit, wild turkey, and a variety of birds and reptiles.