Monongahela National Forest
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Monongahela National Forest is located in the state of West Virginia and covers approximately 919,000 acres.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
The forest is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts due to its diverse range of recreational activities. Visitors can enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting in the forest's many wilderness areas and scenic vistas.
One of the most popular attractions in the Monongahela National Forest is the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area. This area is home to the highest peak in West Virginia, Spruce Knob, as well as the scenic Seneca Rocks. Visitors can hike the many trails that wind through the area or take a scenic drive along the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center.
The forest is also home to a number of unique and interesting features, such as the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area, which is home to a rare ecosystem of sphagnum bogs and cranberry marshes. Additionally, the forest is home to a number of historic structures, including the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park and the Green Bank Observatory.
The best time to visit Monongahela National Forest is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the forest's many recreational opportunities are in full swing. However, visitors should be aware that the forest can be crowded during this time, so planning ahead is recommended. Additionally, the fall months offer stunning foliage displays, while the winter months provide opportunities for skiing and other winter sports.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Blue Bend Recreation Area and Campground
|
||
Blue Bend Campground
|
||
Blue Bend
|
Wilderness Big Draft
Johnsons Creek State Natural Area Preserve
Wilderness Spice Run