Monongahela National Forest Hosts Annual Cranberry Shindig September 27th, 2026

Monongahela National Forest Hosts Annual Cranberry Shindig September 27

A sure sign of fall is the annual Cranberry Shindig, and you can join in on the fun this Sunday, September 27^th from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., at the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center on the Monongahela National Forest, according to a press release.  You’re invited to bring the entire family to enjoy a day of mountain music, square dancing, artisans and fall color.

This year’s event will feature old-time square dancing and the Old Dominion Cloggers. Starting at noon in the picnic shelter, long-time caller and dancer Lou Maiuri will provide square dancing instruction. Anyone can participate, no matter the skill level. The Old Dominion Cloggers will perform at 1:15 p.m. and 2:15 p.m., with music provided by Juanita Fireball and the Continental Drifters.

In the nature center auditorium, The Bing Brothers, featuring Jake Krack, will perform starting at noon. The event also features Roy Moose with his Snakes of West Virginia program which will be set up outside during the event.

In addition, demonstrations by artisans include soap making, fly tying, crocheted and knitted items, wood carvings, handmade jewelry, and more. Vendors will display and sell their wares, and food will be available for purchase.

They also encourage visitors to explore these special scenic places while in the area.

Cranberry Glades, a National Natural Landmark, is especially beautiful during the fall when cotton grass is blooming and plants and trees are displaying their fall colors.

And you can view three cascading waterfalls from the boardwalk at the Falls of Hills Creek and take a scenic fall drive on the Highland Scenic Highway.

The Nature Center is located 16 miles west of Marlinton and 23 miles east of Richwood at the intersection of Rt. 39/55 and Rt. 150 (Highland Scenic Highway). For more information about Monongahela National Forest you may please visit their website and social media.

With the turning of the seasons, some campgrounds and recreation areas on the Mon will begin closing for the season.  You can find a full list of those locations with this story at website, amr.org.

Most of the Monongahela National Forest is open year-round, closing only when access roads are snow-covered. But some developed campgrounds, picnic areas and both visitor centers routinely close from late fall through mid-spring. The following information outlines the closing dates for recreation sites across the Monongahela National Forest:

Cheat-Potomac Ranger District in the Elkins and Parsons areas:

·         Bear Heaven Campground – Dec. 1

·         Bickle Knob Observation Tower – Closes when roads are snow-covered.

·         Horseshoe Recreation Area – Sept. 14

·         Lower Glady Dispersed Camping – Area open year-round (except when roads are snow covered). Toilets close Dec. 1

·         Olson Observation Tower – Closes when roads are snow-covered.

·         Stuart Recreation Area – Oct. 13

Cheat-Potomac Ranger District in the Petersburg and Seneca Rocks areas:

·         Big Bend Campground – Nov. 1

·         Dolly Sods Forest Roads 19 and 75 – Jan 4, 2027

·         Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping – Area open year-round (except when roads are snow covered). Toilets close Dec. 1

·         Gatewood Group Campground – Oct. 13

·         Jess Judy Group Campground – Nov. 1

·         Red Creek Campground – Dec. 1

·         Seneca Rocks Discovery Center – Oct. 17

·         Seneca Rocks Picnic Area – Dec. 1

·         Seneca Shadows Campground – Nov. 1

·         Spruce Knob Lake – Area open year-round (except when roads are snow covered). Toilets close Dec. 1

·         Spruce Knob Lake Campground – Oct. 13

·         Spruce Knob Observation Tower – Area open year-round (except when roads are snow covered). Toilets close Dec. 1

Greenbrier Ranger District:

·         Gaudineer Knob Picnic Area – Area open year-round (except when roads are snow covered). Toilets close Dec. 1

·         Island Campground – Dec. 1

·         Lake Buffalo – Lake open year-round. Toilets close Dec. 1

·         Laurel Fork Campground – Dec. 1

·         Middle Mountain Cabins – Dec. 1

·         Old House Run Picnic Area – Dec. 1

·         Stonecoal Campground – Dec. 1

Gauley Ranger District:

·         Big Rock Campground – Dec. 1

·         Bishop Knob Campground – Dec. 1

·         Cranberry Campground – Dec. 1

·         Cranberry Mountain Nature Center – Oct. 15

·         Cranberry River Developed Dispersed Campsites – Area open year-round (except when roads are snow covered). Toilets close Dec. 1

·         North Bend Picnic Area – Oct. 5

·         Red Oak Fire Lookout – Dec 1.

·         Summit Lake – Lake open year-round. Toilets close Dec. 1

·         Summit Lake Campground – Dec. 1

·         Williams River Developed Dispersed Campsites (Sites #1 – #20 located downstream of Tea Creek Campground) – Area closes when snow-covered.  Toilets closed Dec. 1.

·         Woodbine Picnic Area – Nov. 2

Marlinton-White Sulphur Ranger District:

·         Blue Bend Recreation Area – Nov. 11

·         Blue Meadow Group Campground- Oct. 12.

·         Day Run Campground – Oct. 31

·         Highland Scenic Highway – Road closes when snow-covered

·         Hopkins Mountain Fireman’s Cabin- Nov. 30.

·         Lake Sherwood Recreation Area and Campground – Pine Run, Meadow Creek, and Cales Knoll Camping Loops close Sept. 8.  West Shore Camping Loop closes Oct. 31; access to boat launch and trailhead is available year around

·         Pocahontas Campground – Oct. 12

·         Rimel Picnic Area – Dec. 1

·         Tea Creek Campground – Campsites 1-18 close Oct. 31; Campsites 19-28 close Dec. 1.

·         Williams River Developed Dispersed Campsites – Area closes when snow-covered.