Monongahela National Forest Camping Travel Guide

Monongahela National Forest Camping Travel Guide

Other Guides for Monongahela National Forest

Camping Destinations Near Monongahela National Forest

Travel Guides In Monongahela National Forest

Mid-Atlantic Camping States/Provinces

Parks and Outdoors Travel Destinations

advertisement
Fall foliage in Dolly Sods Wilderness in Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia
Dolly Sods Wilderness, Monongahela National Forest (courtesy, West Virginia Tourism)
Submit a travel tip

Submit a travel tip about Monongahela National Forest.
Read Our House Rules

On This Page:

Monongahela National Forest Camping Travel Tips

By Paul Elliott

  • One of the Monongahela National Forest’s great attractions is being able to sleep there under the stars or forest canopy, by a lake or river, in the company—or not—of other campers, and in an RV, tent, or bedroll.
  • Camping in "the Mon" means never having to drive away to spend the night elsewhere before resuming your preferred daytime activity, be it birding, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, continuing a scenic drive, hanging out, or finding yet more recreational delights.
  • There are 25 public campgrounds scattered throughout the Mon, ranging from walk-in-only primitive sites with no amenities to relatively fancy drive-in sites with flush toilets and hot showers. Most sites charge a modest camping fee; some sites can be reserved.
  • Among the exceptional campgrounds are those at Summit Lake, Cranberry River, Spruce Knob Lake, Lake Sherwood, Horseshoe, Big Bend, Blue Bend, Red Creek, Seneca Shadows, Jess Judy Group, and Stuart. They’re all attractively located near flowing water, fish, and birds.
  • For an adventuresome experience, try backcountry camping, but avoid roads, trails, and streams; practice Leave No Trace principles; and use only existing fire rings or stoves. One suggestion: Camp within walking distance of Big Beechy Run’s lovely waterfall in the Cranberry Wilderness.

Monongahela National Forest Overview

Mo-non-ga-he-la—it's fun just to say. But it's more fun to go there. This national forest is located within a day's drive of much of the east coast, but it remains secluded and quiet, with ample opportunities for the visitor to escape crowds. Country roads are often gravel and encourage slow driving. Restaurants, motels, and other services are found in the many scattered, small communities throughout the forest. Read More

Ask a Question

Do you have a travel question about this destination or can you provide a tip to a fellow traveler?

ask a question

Join the discussion with Away.com's in-house experts in our travel Q&A.

1 Questions | 1 Answers
  • Where are there "primitive campsites"? I would like to camp for free while in Monongahela. Can you please give me specific directions. Thank you.
    Read 1 answer or Answer this question

Hotels

Elk River Touring Center

HC 69 Box 7
Slatyfotk, WV 26291 Map

Distance: 16.5 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0

Seneca Shadows Campground

Seneca Rocks NRA
Seneca Rocks, WV 26884 Map

Distance: 31.6 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0

Spruce Knob Lake Campground

c/o Potomac Ranger District, HC 59, Box 240
Petersburg, WV 26847 Map

Distance: 31.6 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: Not Yet Rated
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0
All Monongahela National Forest Hotels »
advertisement

Attractions

Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area

expert favorite attraction
Good For Camping
Seneca Rocks Discovery Center
Seneca Rocks, West Virginia 26884

Distance: 22.2 mi. (from destination center)

Description:

Encompassing 100,000 acres, the scenic Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area (NRA)... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
5_0

Highland Scenic Byway

expert favorite attraction
Good For Camping
c/o Marlinton Ranger District, PO Box 210, Monongahela National Forest
Marlinton, West Virginia 24954-0210

Distance: 28.1 mi. (from destination center)

Description:

Travel through a wild and undeveloped portion of the Monongahela National Forest on the Highland... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
4_0

Otter Creek Wilderness Area

expert favorite attraction
Good For Camping
c/o Cheat-Potomac Ranger District, HC 59, Box 240
Petersburg, West Virginia 26847

Distance: 28.8 mi. (from destination center)

Description:

Otter Creek Wilderness is located on the Cheat-Potomac Ranger District of the Monongahela... Read More

Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
4_0
All Monongahela National Forest Attractions »

Airports

Major Airports near Monongahela National Forest

Distance (mi.)
Washington Dulles International Airport 131.5 map
Pittsburgh International Airport 136.0 map
Washington Ronald Reagan National Airport 152.6 map

Other Smaller Airports near Monongahela National Forest

Distance (mi.)
Staunton Shenandoah Valley Airport 54.2 map
Clarksburg Benedum Airport 56.2 map
Lewisburg Greenbrier Valley Airport 59.7 map

Trip Ideas

Monongahela National Forest Vacation Rentals

check rates
from: $1642

3 Bedroom VACATION HOME in CHEHALIS, WA

Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 1
Sleeps: 6
Amenities: Cable/Satellite TV, DVD Player, Fireplace, Hot Tub, Phone, Stereo, TV
check rates
from: $246

3 Bedroom VACATION HOME in CHEHALIS, WA

Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2
Sleeps: 6
Amenities: Cable/Satellite TV, Internet Access, Phone
check rates
from: $295

2 Bedroom VACATION HOME in CHEHALIS, WA

Bedrooms: 2
Bathrooms: 2
Sleeps: 10
Amenities: Alarm Clock, BBQ, DVD Player, Fireplace, Full kitchen, Kitchenette, Laundry, Linens, Microwave, No Pets, Non-Smoking, Patio, Phone, Private Parking, TV, VCR
All Monongahela National Forest Vacation Rentals »

Other Monongahela National Forest Parks and Outdoors Travel Guides

Horses and Riding |
»  All Parks and Outdoors Guides

Compare Rates

Powered by Trip.com
advertisement

Traveler's Currency Converter

Foreign Currency
U.S. Dollar Amount
$

Country
convert Currency

Powered by eZforex
advertisement