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 Conditions Report
Area Name | Status | Area Conditions |
---|---|---|
Bear Heaven Campground | Closed | Closed for season |
Bickle Knob Observation Tower | Open | Closes when roads are snow-covered |
Big Bend Campground | Closed | Closed for season |
Big Rock Campground | Closed | Closed for season |
Bishop Knob Campground | Closed | Closed for season |
Blue Bend Recreation Area and Campground | Closed | Closed for season |
Cranberry Campground | Closed | Closed for season |
Cranberry Mountain Nature Center | Closed | Closed for season |
Cranberry River Sites | Open | Campsites are open when roads are snow-free. Toilets are closed. |
Day Run Campground | Closed | Closed for season |
Dolly Sods Picnic Area | Closed | Closed for season |
Gatewood Campground | Closed | Closed for season |
Gaudineer Picnic Area | Closed | Closed for season |
Highland Scenic Highway | Open | Highland Scenic Highway is not snow-plowed. Highway closes when snow-covered. Toilets are closed. |
Horseshoe Recreation and Campground Area | Closed | Closed for season |
Island Campground | Closed | Closed for season |
Jess Judy Group Campground | Closed | Closed for season |
Lake Buffalo | Open | Lake open year-round, but roads to it are not snow-plowed. Toilets are closed. |
Lake Sherwood Recreation Area and Campground | Closed | Closed for season |
Laurel Fork Campground | Closed | Closed for season |
Middle Mountain Cabins | Closed | Closed for season |
North Bend Picnic Area | Closed | Closed for season. |
Old House Picnic Area | Closed | Closed for season |
Olson Observation Tower | Open | Closes when roads are snow-covered |
Pocahontas Campground | Closed | Closed for season |
Red Creek Campground | Closed | Closed for season |
Rimel Picnic Area | Closed | closed for season |
Seneca Rocks Discovery Center | Closed | Closed for season |
Seneca Rocks Picnic Area | Closed | Closed for season |
Seneca Shadows Campground | Closed | Closed for season |
Spruce Knob Lake Campground | Open | Campground closed for season. Lake open year-round, but roads to it are not snow-plowed. Lake toilets are closed. |
Spruce Knob and Spruce Knob Observation Tower | Open | Roads to Spruce Knob are not snow-plowed. Area closes when snow-covered. Toilets are closed. |
Stuart Day Use Area and Campground | Closed | Closed for season. |
Summit Lake Campground | Open | Campground closed for season. Lake open year-round, but roads to it are not snow-plowed. Lake toilets are closed. |
Tea Creek Campground | Closed | Closed for season |
Williams River Sites | Open | Campsites are open when roads are snow-free. Toilets are closed |
Woodbine Picnic Area | Closed | Closed for season. |