Most of 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. Visit the forest’s recreation conditions report at https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/mnf/recreation for the most current information.
Closing dates for recreation sites on the Cheat-Potomac Ranger District (304-478-2000) in the Elkins and Parsons areas: Bear Heaven Campground – Dec. 1, Bickle Knob and Olson observation towers – close when roads are snow-covered and Horseshoe and Stuart recreation areas – closed for season.
Closing dates for recreation sites on the Cheat-Potomac Ranger District (304-257-4488) in the Petersburg and Seneca Rocks areas: Big Bend, Jess Judy Group, Seneca Shadows and Spruce Knob Lake campgrounds and Seneca Rocks Discovery Center – closed, Dolly Sods Picnic Area – Jan. 1, Gatewood Group Campground – until Nov. 30 no fees charged, pack in and pack out with no services, Red Creek Campground – Dec. 31, Seneca Rocks Picnic Area – Nov. 30, Spruce Knob Lake – open year-round with toilets closing Dec. 1 and Spruce Knob Observation Tower – area open year-round (except when roads are snow-covered) with toilets closing Dec. 1.
Closing dates for recreation sites on the Greenbrier Ranger District (304-456-3335) in the Bartow area: Gaudineer Knob Picnic Area – closes when roads are snow-covered with toilets closing Dec. 1, Island and Laurel Fork campgrounds and Middle Mountain Cabins – Dec. 1, Lake Buffalo – lake open year-round with toilets closing Dec. 1 and Old House Run Picnic Area – Dec. 2.
Closing dates for recreation sites on the Gauley Ranger District (304-846-2695) in the Richwood area:
Big Rock, Bishop Knob, Cranberry and Summit Lake campgrounds – Dec. 1, Cranberry Mountain Nature Center and North Bend and Woodbine picnic areas – closed, Cranberry River Developed Dispersed Campsites – area closes when snow-covered with toilets closing Dec. 1, Summit Lake – lake open year-round with toilets closing Dec. 1 and Williams River Developed Dispersed Campsites (Sites #1 – #20 located downstream of Tea Creek Campground) – area closes when snow-covered with toilets closing Dec. 1.
Closing dates for recreation sites on the Marlinton-White Sulphur Ranger District (304-799-4334) in the Marlinton area: Day Run, Pocahontas and Tea Creek campgrounds – Dec. 1, Highland Scenic Highway – road closes when snow-covered with toilets closing Dec. 1, Rimel Picnic Area – Jan. 1 and Williams River Developed Dispersed Campsites (Sites #21 to #30 located upstream of Tea Creek Campground) – area closes when snow-covered with toilets closing Dec. 1.
Closing dates for recreation sites on the Marlinton-White Sulphur Ranger District (304-536-2144) in the White Sulphur Springs area: Blue Bend Recreation Area – camping and picnicking closes Dec. 1, Hopkins Knob Fireman’s Cabin – Dec. 1 and Lake Sherwood Recreation Area and Campground – West Shore Loop, as well as all other camping loops and day use area and lake toilets are closed with lake open year-round.
Roadside camping, also called dispersed camping, is available in many areas of the forest year-round.
For more information about recreation facilities, contact the district office near the location a person would like to visit. Contact information is listed at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mnf/about-forest/offices.
