Elkins, W.Va., April 7, 2025 — Below are the 2025 opening dates for developed recreation sites on the Monongahela National Forest. The information is intended to be effective through Memorial Day (May 26, 2025) but may change based on local conditions or new information. We expect to have an updated schedule of open recreation sites in early June that will cover site operations through the end of July. Please visit the Mon’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. Dispersed camping opportunities are not included in the information, below, but are available in many areas of the Forest year-round. Visitors can contact ranger district offices listed for details.
Important safety reminder – the lack of cell phone service on the Monongahela National Forest is something to consider when trip planning, but with a little preparation, you can unplug and still have a safe and fun trip. 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 on Cheat-Potomac Ranger District (304-478-2000) in the Elkins and Parsons areas:
- Bear Heaven Campground – April 15
- Horseshoe Recreation Area – May 13
- Lower Glady Dispersed Camping (Forest Road 162) – Area opens when snow-free; toilets open April 15
- Stuart Recreation Area – April 18
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 (County Route 29) – Area opens when snow-free; toilets open April 15
- Gatewood Group Campground – April 18
- Jess Judy Group Campground – April 8
- Red Creek Campground – April 15, weather permitting
- Seneca Rocks Discovery Center – April 4, through May 18 Friday – Sunday from 9:30am to 5:00pm, May 19 through Sept. 1 daily from 9:30am to 5:00pm
- Seneca Rocks Picnic Area – April 1
- Seneca Shadows Campground – April 8
- Spruce Knob Lake – Lake open year-round; toilets open April 15
- Spruce Knob Lake Campground – April 18
- Spruce Knob Observation Tower – Area opens when snow-free; toilets open 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; toilets open April 15
- Island Campground – April 15
- Lake Buffalo – Lake open year-round; toilets open April 15
- Laurel Fork Campground – April 15
- Little River Dispersed Camping (Forest Road 17) – Area opens when snow-free
- Middle Mountain Cabins – April 15
- Mower Tract Dispersed Camping (Forest Road 227) – Area opens when snow-free
- Old House Run Picnic Area – April 15
- Stonecoal Dispersed Camping (Forest Road 209) – Currently closed for construction.
Opening dates for recreation sites on the Gauley Ranger District (304-846-2695) in the Richwood area:
- Bear Run Dispersed Camping (Forest Road 223) – Area opens when snow-free
- Big Rock Campground – April 18
- Bishop Knob Campground – May 5
- Cranberry Campground – April 18
- Cranberry Glades Boardwalk – Boardwalk open year-round; toilets open April 18
- Cranberry Mountain Nature Center – April 15, Thursday – Monday from 9:00am to 4:30pm with an earlier closing time on Sunday of 4:00 pm
- Cranberry River Developed Dispersed Campsites – Area opens when snow-free; toilets open April 4
- Falls of Hills Creek – Area opens when snow-free; toilets open April 18
- North Bend Picnic Area – May 5
- Summit Lake – Lake open year-round; toilets open April 4
- Summit Lake Campground – May 5
- Third Bridge and North Bend Dispersed Camping (State Route 55) – Area opens when snow-free
- Williams River Developed Dispersed Campsites (sites #1 to #6, #8 to #20) – Area opens when snow-free; toilets open April 4.
- Woodbine Picnic Area – May 5
Opening dates for recreation sites on the Marlinton-White Sulphur Ranger District (304-799-4334) in the Marlinton area:
- Day Run Campground – April 18
- Highland Scenic Highway – Road opens when snow-free.
- Pocahontas Campground – June 2
- Rimel Picnic Area – April 18
- Tea Creek Campground – April 18
- Williams River Developed Dispersed Campsites (sites #21 to #30) – Area opens when snow-free; toilets open April 4
- Williams River Fishing Pier – Area opens when snow-free; toilet open April 4
Opening dates for recreation sites on the Marlinton-White Sulphur Ranger District (304-536-2144) in the White Sulphur Springs area:
- Anthony Creek Dispersed Camping (State Route 21/2) – Area opens when snow-free
- Blue Bend Recreation Area – Campground and small pavilion opens April 18. Large Pavilion opens May 17.
- Blue Meadow Group Campground – May 23
- Hopkins Mountain Fireman’s Cabin – April 11
- Lake Sherwood Recreation Area boat ramp and trailhead – open year-round
- Lake Sherwood Recreation Area entrance road dispersed camping (State Route 14) – opens when snow-free
- Lake Sherwood Recreation Area West Shore Camping Loop – May 19
- Lake Sherwood Recreation Area remaining campground loops, group camping, picnic area, picnic pavilion and swimming beach – May 20. Day Use fee will be charged beginning May 19.
For more information about recreation facilities, contact the District Office near the location you would like to visit. Contact information is listed at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mnf/about-forest/offices.
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