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.
Current Recreation Conditions
Area Name | Status | Area Conditions |
---|---|---|
Bear Heaven Campground | Closed | April 15 is first night of camping. |
Bickle Knob Observation Tower | Open | Open when roads are snow-free. |
Big Bend Campground | Closed | April 12 is first night of camping. |
Big Rock Campground | Closed | March 29 is first night of camping. |
Bishop Knob Campground | Closed | April 19 is first night of camping. |
Blue Bend Recreation Area and Campground | Closed | March 29 is first night of camping. Large picnic pavilion opens May 17. |
Cranberry Campground | Closed | March 29 is first night of camping. |
Cranberry Mountain Nature Center | Closed | April 15 opens Thursdays thru Mondays, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
Cranberry River Sites | Open | Open when roads are snow-free. Toilets open March 29. |
Day Run Campground | Closed | March 29 is first night of camping. |
Dolly Sods Picnic Area | Closed | April 15 is opening date, weather permitting. |
Gatewood Campground | Closed | April 19 is first night of camping. |
Gaudineer Picnic Area | Open | Opens when roads are snow-free. Toilets open April 15. |
Highland Scenic Highway | Open | Open when highway is snow-free. |
Hopkins Mountain Firemans Cabin | Closed | April 12 is first night of cabin use. |
Horseshoe Recreation and Campground Area | Closed | May 13 is first night of camping. |
Island Campground | Closed | April 15 is first night of camping. |
Jess Judy Group Campground | Closed | April 12 is first night of camping. |
Lake Buffalo | Open | Lake open when roads are snow-free. Toilets open April 15. |
Lake Sherwood Recreation Area and Campground | Open | Lake, boat ramp and trailhead open when roads are snow-free. April 12 is first night of camping in West Shore Loop. All other camping loops and picnic pavilion open May 20. |
Laurel Fork Campground | Closed | April 15 is first night of camping. |
Middle Mountain Cabins | Closed | April 15 is first night of cabin use. |
North Bend Picnic Area | Closed | April 5 is opening date. |
Old House Picnic Area | Closed | April 14 is opening date. |
Olson Observation Tower | Open | Open when roads are snow-free. |
Pocahontas Campground | Closed | April 12 is first night of camping. |
Red Creek Campground | Closed | April 15 is first night of camping, weather permitting. |
Rimel Picnic Area | Closed | March 29 is opening day. |
Seneca Rocks Discovery Center | Closed | April 5-May 12: opens Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, May 20-Oct 27: opens Thursdays thru Mondays, Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
Seneca Rocks Picnic Area | Closed | April 1 is opening date. |
Seneca Shadows Campground | Closed | April 12 is first night of camping. |
Spruce Knob Lake Campground | Open | Lake open when roads are snow-free. April 19 is first night of camping. |
Spruce Knob and Spruce Knob Observation Tower | Open | Open when roads are snow-free. Toilets open April 15. |
Stuart Day Use Area and Campground | Closed | April 19 is first night of camping and gates open to picnic area. |
Summit Lake Campground | Open | Lake open when roads are snow-free. April 5 is first night of camping. |
Tea Creek Campground | Closed | March 29 is first night of camping. |
Williams River Sites | Open | Open when roads are snow-free. Toilets open March 29. |
Woodbine Picnic Area | Closed | April 5 is opening day. |