Monongahela National Forest has announced the 2023 opening dates for developed recreation sites across the Forest. These dates may change based on local conditions. Visit the Forest’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. Roadside camping, also called dispersed camping or boondocking, is available in many areas of the forest year-round. Call local offices listed below for details.
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 in the local area are as follows:
Cheat-Potomac Ranger District (304-478-2000) in the Elkins and Parsons areas — Bear Heaven Campground, April 14; Lower Glady Dispersed Camping (Forest Road 162), area opens when snow-free with toilets opening April 14; Stuart Recreation Area, April 21; and Horseshoe Recreation Area, May 12;
Cheat-Potomac Ranger District (304-257-4488) in the Petersburg and Seneca Rocks areas — Seneca Rocks Discovery Center and Seneca Rocks Picnic Area, March 31; Forest Road 19 in the Dolly Sods area, April 1 (weather permitting); Big Bend Campground, Jess Judy Group Campground and Seneca Shadows Campground, April 7; Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping (County Route 29) and Spruce Knob Observation Tower, area opens when snow-free with toilets opening April 14; Spruce Knob Lake, lake open year-round with toilets opening April 14; Dolly Sods Picnic Area, Forest Road 75 in the Dolly sods area and Red Creek Campground, April 15 (weather permitting); and Gatewood Group Campground and Spruce Knob Campground, April 21; and
Greenbrier Ranger District (304-456-3335) in the Bartow area — Gaudineer Knob Picnic Area, area opens when snow-free with toilets opening April 14; Island Campground, Laurel Fork Campground, Middle Mountain Cabins and Old House Run Picnic Area, April 14; Lake Buffalo, lake open year-round with toilets opening April 14; Stonecoal Dispersed Camping (Forest Road 209), area opens when snow-free with toilets opening April 15; and Little River Dispersed Camping (Forest Road 17) and Mower Tract Dispersed Camping (Forest Road 227), area opens when snow-free.
