ELKINS, W.Va. (WVDN) – 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.
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 March 24. Large pavilion opens May 19;
- Blue Meadow Group Campground – May 19;
- Hopkins Mountain Fireman’s Cabin – April 7;
- 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 – April 14; and
- Lake Sherwood Recreation Area remaining campground loops, group camping, picnic area, picnic pavilion and swimming beach – May 19. Day Use fee will be charged beginning May 19.
Opening dates for recreation sites on the Marlinton-White Sulphur Ranger District (304-799-4334) in the Marlinton area:
- Day Run Campground – April 7;
- Highland Scenic Highway – Road opens when snow-free; toilets open April 7, weather permitting;
- Pocahontas Campground – April 14;
- Rimel Picnic Area – April 7;
- Tea Creek Campground – April 7;
- Williams River Developed Dispersed Campsites – opens when snow-free; toilets open April 7; and
- Williams River Fishing Pier – Area opens when snow-free; toilet open April 7.
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 14;
- Island Campground – April 14;
- Lake Buffalo – Lake open year-round; toilets open April 14;
- Laurel Fork Campground – April 14;
- Little River dispersed camping (Forest Road 17) – Area opens when snow-free;
- Middle Mountain Cabins – April 14;
- Mower Tract dispersed camping (Forest Road 227) – Area opens when snow-free;
- Old House Run Picnic Area – April 14; and
- Stonecoal dispersed camping (Forest Road 209) – Area opens when snow-free; toilets open April 15.
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 7;
- Bishop Knob Campground – April 21;
- Cranberry Campground – April 7;
- Cranberry Glades Boardwalk – Boardwalk open year-round; toilets open April 13;
- Cranberry Mountain Nature Center – April 13;
- Cranberry River Developed Dispersed Campsites – Area opens when snow-free; toilets open April 7;
- Falls of Hills Creek – Area opens when snow-free; toilets open April 7;
- North Bend Picnic Area – April 7;
- Summit Lake – Lake open year-round; toilets open April 7;
- Summit Lake Campground – April 7;
- 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 7; and
- Woodbine Picnic Area – April 7.
Opening dates for recreation sites on Cheat-Potomac Ranger District (304-478-2000) in the Elkins and Parsons areas:
- Bear Heaven Campground – April 14;
- Horseshoe Recreation Area – May 12;
- Lower Glady dispersed camping (Forest Road 162) – Area opens when snow-free; toilets open April 14; and
- Stuart Recreation Area – April 21.
Opening dates for recreation sites on Cheat-Potomac Ranger District (304-257-4488) in the Petersburg and Seneca Rocks areas:
- Big Bend Campground – April 7;
- 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 14;
- Gatewood Group Campground – April 21;
- Jess Judy Group Campground – April 7;
- Red Creek Campground – April 15, weather permitting;
- Seneca Rocks Discovery Center – March 31;
- Seneca Rocks Picnic Area – March 31;
- Seneca Shadows Campground – April 7;
- Spruce Knob Lake – Lake open year-round; toilets open April 14;
- Spruce Knob Lake Campground – April 21; and
- Spruce Knob Observation Tower – Area opens when snow-free; toilets open April 14.
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.
