Monongahela National Forest
 

Recreation

The gates of the Stuart Recreation Area welcome visitors to leisure on the Monongahela National Forest.

The gate of the Stuart Recreation Area welcomes visitors to leisure on the Monongahela National Forest.

 

The Monongahela National Forest is a recreation destination and major tourism attraction. The extensive backwoods road and trail system is available for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. There are many miles of railroad grades that are a link in the recreation use of the forest. Recreation ranges from self-reliant treks in the wildernesses and backcountry areas to the challenges of mountain climbing to traditional developed site camping. Hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing are also popular uses.

The national importance of the recreation resource of the Monongahela has been recognized through the designation of the Spruce Knob – Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area (NRA), the first NRA in the Forest Service, National Scenic Byway status for the Highland Scenic Highway, and eight Wilderness Areas. 

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Recreation Conditions Report

 Area Name Status Area Conditions
Bear Heaven Campground Open to Visitor
Bickle Knob Observation Tower Open to Visitor
Big Bend Campground Open to Visitor
Big Rock Campground Open to Visitor
Bishop Knob Campground Open to Visitor
Blue Bend Recreation Area and Campground Open to Visitor
Cranberry Campground Open to Visitor
Cranberry Mountain Nature Center Closed to Visitor All public events at the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center have been cancelled for the month of June.
Cranberry River Sites Open to Visitor
Day Run Campground Open to Visitor
Dolly Sods Picnic Area Open to Visitor
Gatewood Campground Closed to Visitor
Gaudineer Picnic Area Open to Visitor
Highland Scenic Highway Open to Visitor
Horseshoe Recreation and Campground Area Open to Visitor
Island Campground Open to Visitor
Jess Judy Group Campground Closed to Visitor
Lake Buffalo Open to Visitor
Lake Sherwood Recreation Area and Campground Closed to Visitor Camping at the West Shore Camping loop opens Thursday, June 25, but water will not be available due to a failed chlorinator pump. Campers must bring their own water or be prepared to treat surface water taken from the lake. Vault toilets in the West Shore loop are open. The flush toilets, showers and hand pump in that loop are not open. Campers should bring water from home. The closest location you may fill your water tank or purchase bottled water is the Neola Market, located just south of the intersection of SR 92 and CO 14/1 (Lake Sherwood Road), about a half-hour drive from the campground. The Lake Sherwood Gatehouse will be staffed daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The dump station will be open daily 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The boat launch is open. All other facilities are closed, including additional camping loops, picnic area, swimming beach and restrooms. For more information, call the Marlinton-White Sulphur Ranger District at 304-536-2144.
Laurel Fork Campground Open to Visitor
Middle Mountain Cabins Open to Visitor
North Bend Picnic Area Open to Visitor
Old House Picnic Area Open to Visitor
Olson Observation Tower Open to Visitor
Pocahontas Campground Open to Visitor
Red Creek Campground Open to Visitor
Rimel Picnic Area Open to Visitor
Seneca Rocks Discovery Center Closed to Visitor
Seneca Rocks Picnic Area Open to Visitor
Seneca Shadows Campground Open to Visitor
Spruce Knob Lake Campground Open to Visitor
Spruce Knob and Spruce Knob Observation Tower Open to Visitor
Stuart Day Use Area and Campground Open to Visitor
Summit Lake Campground Open to Visitor
Tea Creek Campground Open to Visitor
Trails along the Highland Scenic Highway Open to Visitor
Williams River Sites Open to Visitor
Woodbine Picnic Area Open to Visitor


https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/mnf/recreation