2025 Updated Schedule Announced for Monongahela National Forest Recreation Sites

May 27, 2025

Below are the 2025 opening dates for developed recreation sites on the Monongahela National Forest. The information is intended to be effective through July 31st, 2025, but may change based on local conditions or new information. Please visit the Mon’s Recreation Conditions Report at https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/mnf/recreation for the most current information. Campground and picnic shelter reservations for some sites may be made at www.recreation.gov. Dispersed camping opportunities are not included in the information, below, but are available in many areas of the Forest year-round. Visitors can contact ranger district offices listed for details.

Important safety reminder – the lack of cell phone service on the Monongahela National Forest is something to consider when trip planning, but with a little preparation, you can unplug and still have a safe and fun trip. Learn about recreating safely and responsibly on your national forest at https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/responsible-recreation.

Opening dates for recreation sites on Cheat-Potomac Ranger District (304-478-2000) in the Elkins and Parsons areas:

  • Bear Heaven Campground – Open
  • Horseshoe Recreation Area – May 13
  • Lower Glady Dispersed Camping (Forest Road 162) –toilets open
  • Stuart Recreation Area – Open

Opening dates for recreation sites on Cheat-Potomac Ranger District (304-257-4488) in the Petersburg and Seneca Rocks areas:

  • Big Bend Campground – Open
  • Dolly Sods Picnic Area – Open
  • Forest Road 19 in the Dolly Sods area- Open
  • Forest Road 75 in the Dolly Sods area – Open
  • Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping (County Route 29) – toilets open
  • Gatewood Group Campground – April 18
  • Jess Judy Group Campground – Open
  • Red Creek Campground – Open
  • Seneca Rocks Discovery Center –May 19 through Sept. 1 daily from 9:30am to 5:00pm
  • Seneca Rocks Picnic Area – Open
  • Seneca Shadows Campground – Open
  • Spruce Knob Lake – Lake open year-round; toilets open
  • Spruce Knob Lake Campground – Open
  • Spruce Knob Observation Tower –toilets open

Opening dates for recreation sites on Greenbrier Ranger District (304-456-3335) in the Bartow area:

  • Gaudineer Knob Picnic Area –toilets open- Open
  • Island Campground – Open
  • Lake Buffalo – Lake open year-round; toilets open
  • Laurel Fork Campground – Open
  • Little River Dispersed Camping (Forest Road 17) – Open
  • Middle Mountain Cabins – Open
  • Mower Tract Dispersed Camping (Forest Road 227) –Open
  • Old House Run Picnic Area – Open
  • Stonecoal Dispersed Camping (Forest Road 209) – Currently closed for construction.

Opening dates for recreation sites on the Gauley Ranger District (304-846-2695) in the Richwood area:

  • Bear Run Dispersed Camping (Forest Road 223) –Open
  • Big Rock Campground – Open
  • Bishop Knob Campground – Open
  • Cranberry Campground – Open
  • Cranberry Glades Boardwalk – Boardwalk open year-round; toilets open April 18- Open
  • Cranberry Mountain Nature Center – Open, Thursday – Monday from 9:00am to 4:30pm with an earlier closing time on Sunday of 4:00 pm
  • Cranberry River Developed Dispersed Campsites – Area opens when snow-free; toilets open April 4- Open
  • Falls of Hills Creek –toilets open April 18- Open
  • North Bend Picnic Area – Open
  • Summit Lake – Lake open year-round; toilets open April 4- Open
  • Summit Lake Campground – Open
  • Third Bridge and North Bend Dispersed Camping (State Route 55) –Open
  • Williams River Developed Dispersed Campsites (sites #1 to #6, #8 to #20) –toilets open April 4.- Open
  • Woodbine Picnic Area – Open

Opening dates for recreation sites on the Marlinton-White Sulphur Ranger District (304-799-4334) in the Marlinton area:

  • Day Run Campground – Open
  • Highland Scenic Highway – Road opens when snow-free. – Open
  • Pocahontas Campground – June 2
  • Rimel Picnic Area – Open
  • Tea Creek Campground – Open
  • Williams River Developed Dispersed Campsites (sites #21 to #30) – toilets open April 4- Open
  • Williams River Fishing Pier –toilet open April 4- Open

Opening dates for recreation sites on the Marlinton-White Sulphur Ranger District (304-536-2144) in the White Sulphur Springs area:

  • Anthony Creek Dispersed Camping (State Route 21/2) – Open
  • Blue Bend Recreation Area – Campground and small pavilion opens April 18. Large Pavilion opens May 17.
  • Blue Meadow Group Campground – May 23
  • Hopkins Mountain Fireman’s Cabin – Open
  • Lake Sherwood Recreation Area boat ramp and trailhead – open year-round
  • Lake Sherwood Recreation Area entrance road dispersed camping (State Route 14) – Open
  • Lake Sherwood Recreation Area West Shore Camping Loop – May 19
  • Lake Sherwood Recreation Area remaining campground loops, group camping, picnic area, picnic pavilion and swimming beach – May 20. Day Use fee will be charged beginning May 19.

For more information about recreation facilities, contact the District Office near the location you would like to visit. Contact information is listed at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mnf/about-forest/offices.

###USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

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Heather is our Program Director and Traffic Manager. She started with Allegheny Mountain Radio as a volunteer deejay. She then joined the AMR staff in February of 2007. Heather grew up in the Richmond, Virginia, area and now lives in Arbovale, West Virginia with her husband Chuck. Heather is a wonderful flute player, and choir director for Arbovale UMC. You can hear Heather along with Chuck on Tuesday nights from 6 to 8pm as they host two hours of jazz on Something Different.
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