ELKINS, W.Va., September 18, 2026 — Most of the 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. The following information outlines the closing dates for recreation sites across the Monongahela National Forest:
Cheat-Potomac Ranger District in the Elkins and Parsons areas:
Bear Heaven Campground – Dec. 1
Bickle Knob Observation Tower – Closes when roads are snow-covered.
Horseshoe Recreation Area – Sept. 14
Lower Glady Dispersed Camping – Area open year-round (except when roads are snow covered). Toilets close Dec. 1
Olson Observation Tower – Closes when roads are snow-covered.
Stuart Recreation Area – Oct. 13
Cheat-Potomac Ranger District in the Petersburg and Seneca Rocks areas:
Big Bend Campground – Nov. 1
Dolly Sods Forest Roads 19 and 75 – Jan. 4, 2027
Gandy Creek Dispersed Camping – Area open year-round (except when roads are snow covered). Toilets close Dec. 1
Gatewood Group Campground – Oct. 13
Jess Judy Group Campground – Nov. 1
Red Creek Campground – Dec. 1
Seneca Rocks Discovery Center – Oct. 17
Seneca Rocks Picnic Area – Dec. 1
Seneca Shadows Campground – Nov. 1
Spruce Knob Lake – Area open year-round (except when roads are snow covered). Toilets close Dec. 1
Spruce Knob Lake Campground – Oct. 13
Spruce Knob Observation Tower – Area open year-round (except when roads are snow covered). Toilets close Dec. 1
Greenbrier Ranger District:
Gaudineer Knob Picnic Area – Area open year-round (except when roads are snow covered). Toilets close Dec. 1
Island Campground – Dec. 1
Lake Buffalo – Lake open year-round. Toilets close Dec. 1
Laurel Fork Campground – Dec. 1
Middle Mountain Cabins – Dec. 1
Old House Run Picnic Area – Dec. 1
Stonecoal Campground – Dec. 1
Gauley Ranger District:
Big Rock Campground – Dec. 1
Bishop Knob Campground – Dec. 1
Cranberry Campground – Dec. 1
Cranberry Mountain Nature Center – Oct. 15
Cranberry River Developed Dispersed Campsites – Area open year-round (except when roads are snow covered). Toilets close Dec. 1
North Bend Picnic Area – Oct. 5
Red Oak Fire Lookout – Dec. 1
Summit Lake – Lake open year-round. Toilets close Dec. 1
Summit Lake Campground – Dec. 1
Williams River Developed Dispersed Campsites (Sites #1 – #20 located downstream of Tea Creek Campground) – Area closes when snow-covered. Toilets closed Dec. 1.
Woodbine Picnic Area – Nov. 2
Marlinton-White Sulphur Ranger District:
Blue Bend Recreation Area – Nov. 11
Blue Meadow Group Campground – Oct. 12
Day Run Campground – Oct. 31
Highland Scenic Highway – Road closes when snow-covered
Hopkins Mountain Fireman’s Cabin – Nov. 30
Lake Sherwood Recreation Area and Campground – Pine Run, Meadow Creek, and Cales Knoll Camping Loops close Sept. 8. West Shore Camping Loop closes Oct. 31; access to boat launch and trailhead is available year-round
Pocahontas Campground – Oct. 12
Rimel Picnic Area – Dec. 1
Tea Creek Campground – Campsites 1-18 close Oct. 31; Campsites 19-28 close Dec. 1.
Williams River Developed Dispersed Campsites – Area closes when snow-covered.
For more information about recreation opportunities on the Monongahela National Forest, please visit us on the web.
