By: Lydia Crawley The Parsons Advocate
The U.S. Forest Service Eastern Region has announced Closing Dates for the Monongahela National Forest Recreation Sites.
While most of the Monongahela National Forest is open year round and close only when access roads are snow covered, the Forest Service states, some developed campgrounds, picnic areas and both visitor centers routinely close from late fall to mid-spring.
The Forest Service does state that roadside camping, also known as dispersed camping, is available in many areas of the Monongahela Forest year-round. Information on recreation facilities is available at the District Offices near the locations or at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mnf/aboutforest/offices.
Closings by the Forest Service in two districts could be of note for outdoor enthusiasts and visitors in Tucker County in the coming weeks and months. Those venturing into the National Forest should be cognicent of the following dates and locations.
The following areas are announced in the 2025 fall closing dates:
Recreation Sites on the Cheat-Potomac Ranger District (phone 304-478-2000) in the Elkins and Parsons areas are as follows:
*Bear Haven Campground – December 1st *Bickle Knob Observation Tower – Closes when roads are snow-covered. *Horseshoe Recreation Area – September 14th *Olson Observation Tower – Closes when roads are snow-covered *Stuart Recreation Area – October 13th
Recreation Sites on the Cheat-Potomac Ranger District (phone: 304-257-4488) located in the Petersburg and Seneca Rocks areas are as follows:
- Big Bend Campground – October 26th *Dolly Sods Picnic Area – January 2nd *Gatewood Group Campground – December 1st *Jess Judy Group Campground – October 26th *Red Creek Campground – January 2nd
- Seneca Rocks Discovery Center – October 27th
- Seneca Rocks Picnic Area – December 1st *Seneca Shadows Campground – October 26th *Spruce Knob Lake – Closes when roads are snow-covered *Spruce Know Lake Campground – October 13th *Spruce Knob Observation Tower – Area open year-round (except when roads are snow-covered). Toilets close December 2nd)
For dates of the Greenbrier Ranger District, Gauley Ranger District or Marlington-White Sulphur Ranger Districts go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/r09/monongahela or call the districts directly. The Greenbrier Ranger District can be reached at 304-456-3335, the Gauley Ranger District can be reached at 304-846-2695, the Marlinton-White Sulphur Ranger District in the Marlinton area can be reached at 304-799-4334 and the Marlinton-White Sulphur Ranger District in the White Sulphur Springs area can be reached at 304-536-2144.
