Monongahela National Forest
 

Recreation

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 The building is closed. Staff are available to assist visitors at an outdoor information desk in front of the building, Thursdays through Mondays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Subject to change depending on current conditions.
Cranberry River Sites Open to Visitor
Day Run Campground Open to Visitor
Dolly Sods Picnic Area Open to Visitor
Gatewood Campground Open 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 Open to Visitor
Lake Buffalo Open to Visitor
Lake Sherwood Recreation Area and Campground Open to Visitor
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 The building is closed. Staff are available to assist visitors at an outdoor information desk in front of the building, Thursdays through Mondays, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Subject to change depending on current conditions.
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 Sites 21-30 -- located upstream of the Highland Scenic Highway are open. Sites 1-20 -- located downstream of the Highland Scenic Highway are open now with no services and non-motorized vehicle access only due to road construction. Pack it in, pack it out.
Woodbine Picnic Area Open to Visitor


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