Area Campground And Recreation Sites Begin To Open

Some folks look for the robins or listen for spring peepers.  But a sure indication that spring and summer are around the corner is the opening of camping and recreational sites in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest and in the Monongahela National Forest.

The George Washington & Jefferson National Forests Blowing Springs and Hidden Valley campgrounds on the James River and Warm Springs Ranger Districts opened on March 17^th. Both campgrounds are available on a first come, first-served basis and require cash fees.  Many of the area’s recreation sites, including hiking and biking trails, are open year-round.

Visitors should note that the Blowing Springs roadside portal sign is down, and a replacement sign is on order.  The Forest Service recently conducted prescribed burns in several fields at Hidden Valley, with more to be completed this spring, to improve habitat in this popular fishing, hiking, and hunting area.

Please check the Forests’ website for updated information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/gwj/recreation. For more information, please contact the James River and Warm Springs Ranger Districts office at (540) 839-2521.

We invite you to visit the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests website www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj, or follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/GWJNF and Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GWJNF

The Monongahela National Forest has announced the 2022 opening dates for developed recreation sites across the Forest. The dates may change based on local conditions.

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

• Bear Heaven Campground – April 15
• Horseshoe Recreation Area – May 20
• Lower Glady Dispersed Camping – Area opens when snow-free; toilets open April 15
• Stuart Recreation Area – April 22

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

• Big Bend Campground – April 8
• Dolly Sods Picnic Area – April 15, weather permitting
• Forest Road 19 in the Dolly Sods area – April 1, weather permitting
• Forest Road 75 in the Dolly Sods area – April 15, weather permitting
• Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping – Area opens when snow-free; toilets open April 15
• Gatewood Group Campground – April 22
• Jess Judy Group Campground – April 8
• Red Creek Campground – April 15, weather permitting
• Seneca Rocks Discovery Center – April 1
• Seneca Rocks Picnic Area – April 2
• Seneca Shadows Campground – April 8
• Spruce Knob Lake – Lake open year-round; toilets open April 15
• Spruce Knob Lake Campground – April 22
• Spruce Knob Observation Tower – Area opens when snow-free; toilets open April 15

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

• Gaudineer Knob Picnic Area – Area opens when snow-free; toilets open April 15
• Island Campground – April 15
• Lake Buffalo – Lake open year-round; toilets open April 15
• Laurel Fork Campground – April 15
• Little River Dispersed Camping – Area opens when snow-free
• Middle Mountain Cabins – April 15
• Mower Tract Dispersed Camping – Area opens when snow-free
• Old House Run Picnic Area – April 15
• Stonecoal Dispersed Camping – Area opens when snow-free; toilets open April 15

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

• Bear Run Dispersed Camping – Area opens when snow-free
• Big Rock Campground – March 22
• Bishop Knob Campground – April 20
• Cranberry Campground – April 4
• Cranberry Glades Boardwalk – Boardwalk open year-round; toilets open April 15
• Cranberry Mountain Nature Center – April 15
• Cranberry River Developed Dispersed Campsites – Area opens when snow-free; toilets open March 22
• Falls of Hills Creek – Area opens when snow-free; toilets open April 15
• North Bend Picnic Area – April 11
• Summit Lake – Lake open year-round; toilets open April 11
• Summit Lake Campground – April 11
• Third Bridge Dispersed Camping – Area opens when snow-free
• Williams River Developed Dispersed Campsites (Sites #1 – #18 located downstream of Tea Creek Campground) – No services, no fees and non-motorized vehicle access only due to road construction. Area opens when snow-free
• Woodbine Picnic Area – April 11

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

• Day Run Campground – April 4
• Highland Scenic Highway – Road opens when snow-free; toilets open April 4, weather permitting
• Pocahontas Campground – April 11
• Rimel Picnic Area – April 4
• Tea Creek Campground – April 4
• Williams River Developed Dispersed Campsites (Sites #19 to #30 located near or upstream of Tea Creek Campground) – Area opens when snow-free; toilets open April 4
• Williams River Fishing Pier – Area opens when snow-free; toilets open April 4

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 – Area opens when snow-free
• Blue Bend Recreation Area – Campground and small pavilion opens March 22.  Large Pavilion opens May 23.
• Blue Meadow Group Campground – May 23
• Hopkins Mountain Fireman’s Cabin – June 1
• Lake Sherwood – Lake, boat ramp, trailhead, and vault toilets at beach and gatehouse – open year-round
• Lake Sherwood Entrance Road Dispersed Camping – Areas opens when snow-free
• Lake Sherwood Recreation Area – West Shore Camping Loop – April 11
• Lake Sherwood Recreation Area – remaining campground loops, group camping, picnic area, picnic pavilion and swimming beach – May 23.  Day Use entrance fee will be charged beginning May 20.

In other USFS news, the West Virginia legislature has passed a bill that would authorize the state Division of Natural Resources or DNR to enter into third-party contracts in support of new recreational facilities in all state forests and all but one state park.  Watoga State Park in Pocahontas County, which recently received a Dark Sky designation by the International Dark Sky Association, is exempt from this bill.

Officials from the state depts of Commerce and Tourism support the bill saying it will encourage private investment.  Opponents say it will open forests and parks to casinos and pay-to-play amusements that will compromise their nature-based appeal.  The bill is expected to be signed into law by Governor Jim Justice.

Visit the Forest’s Recreation Conditions Report at https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/mnf/recreation for the most current information. Go to www.recreation.gov to make campground and picnic shelter reservations for some sites. Not all sites are available for reservations. Learn about ways to recreate responsibly and be considerate of others at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/responsible-recreation.

Roadside camping, also called dispersed camping or boondocking, is available in many areas of the Forest year-round. 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.