Monongahela National Forest has announced the opening dates for developed recreation sites across the forest. The 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. Go to www.recreation.gov to make campground and picnic shelter reservations for some sites. Not all sites are available for reservations.
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 and toilets open April 15; and 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 and 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 and toilets open April 15; Spruce Knob Lake Campground – April 22; and Spruce Knob Observation Tower – area opens when snow-free with toilets opening April 15.
Opening dates for recreation sites on Greenbrier Ranger District (304-456-3335) in the Bartow area: Gaudineer Knob Picnic Area – area opens when snow-free with toilets opening April 15; Island Campground – April 15; Lake Buffalo – lake open year-round and 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; and Stonecoal Dispersed Camping – area opens when snow-free with toilets opening April 15.
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 with toilets opening 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 with toilets opening April 4; and Williams River Fishing Pier – area opens when snow-free with toilets opening April 4.
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 a person would like to visit. Contact information is listed at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mnf/about-forest/offices.