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The Monongahela National Forest encompasses over 901,000 acres, providing recreational opportunities to hikers, bicyclists, rock climbers, anglers, spelunkers, horseback riders, hunters and birders. Off-road motorized use on the forest trails is not permitted. Forest Service Roads are generally non-paved, and open only on a seasonal basis.
Dolly Sods Scenic Area
Dolly Sods Wilderness Area
Otter Creek Wilderness Area
Canaan Mountain Backcountry
Horseshoe Run Area
Pheasant Mountain
Fernow Experimental Forest
Olsen Tower Recreational Area
DOLLY SODS SCENIC AREA
is a highly elevated windswept plain on the Allegheny Plateau well-known for its extensive rocky plains, upland bogs and sweeping vistas. The Scenic Area is the most accessible and most visited part of the Sods area. Berry picking for personal use, hunting and sightseeing are popular pastimes here. Toward the south end of the Scenic Area, the landscape is more forested with occasional openings or vistas. The Overlook gives visitors sweeping views of the North Fork Valley 3,000 feet below. The Northland Loop Trail is a 1/2 mile nature trail that introduces visitors to bogs, barrens and berries. Red Creek Campground, located within the scenic area, offers primitive camping. At the north end, the often photographed Bear Rocks continues to inspire visitors.
DOLLY SODS WILDERNESS AREA
was established by the United States Congress as a wilderness area to preserve and protect the area with special opportunities for solitude, primitive recreation and other scientific, educational, scenic and historical values. Management efforts focus on allowing the forces of nature to reclaim the area, returning it to a natural appearing state. Its 10,215 acres are a mecca for backcountry lovers. The primitive trails are not designed or maintained for the casual hiker. They are rough, sometimes steep and rocky, and often have few markings. Hikers are advised to be equipped with compasses and topographical maps.
Directions to the Dolly Sods Wilderness and Scenic Areas from Canaan Valley - Follow Route 32 S to Lanesville Road. Turn left and follow the Lanesville Road ten miles to the Dolly Sods Scenic Area. Before reaching the Scenic Area, the road passes several trailheads and the Dolly Sods Picnic Area.
OTTER CREEK WILDERNESS AREA
lies in a bowl formed by Shavers Mountain and McGowan Mountain in Tucker and surrounding counties. This 20,000-acre wilderness is now managed with 42 miles of primitive trails, many which follow old railroad grades or logging roads. Wildlife in the wilderness area includes black bear, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, grouse, snowshoe hare, cottontail rabbit and a variety of squirrels. There are many species of birds and several reptiles. Otter Creek is also the home to a small population of brook trout and salamanders. This hardwood rich area is ideal for hiking, backpacking and primitive camping.
CANAAN MOUNTAIN BACKCOUNTRY
is a high elevation plateau. This semi-primitive area consists of approximately 13,532 acres on top of the plateau. Since Canaan Mountain is relatively flat, there are many seasonally wet places. Vegetation consists of second-growth hardwoods, rhododendron and mosses. Elevations range from 4,145 feet at Pointy Knob to 3,100 feet at Blackwater Falls State Park. The Canaan Loop Road is about 18 miles long and is good for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding. The road makes a loop from Rt. 32 to Blackwater Falls State Park. The trail system is mostly marked with blue blazes and signs, although they may be overgrown in spots. Several connect with trails in Blackwater Falls State Park and Canaan Valley State Park.
Directions - Canaan Mountain lies west of Rt. 32 between Canaan Valley State Park and Blackwater Falls State Park, near Davis, WV. Take Rt. 32 S, 3.3 miles from the Blackwater River Bridge in Davis to a large white sign that points to #1 Wilderness Road. This is the Canaan Loop Road
HORSESHOE RUN AREA
is located northwest of Parsons, WV and northeast of WV Route 72, near and along WV SR 7. Motorized access to the area is by WV Secondary Routes 5, 7, 9 and 16 and Forest Roads #903 and 930. There are several major trails in this area that can be utilized for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Loop trips can be made using a combination of trails and forest roads. There is a developed recreation campground with campsites, a pavilion and restroom facilities.
PHEASANT MOUNTAIN
area is located west of Parsons, WV, north of Rt. 219 and south of SR 21 and 17. Motorized access to the area from the south is by Forest Road 933, which is located 1.6 miles west of the Moore Station Road on Rt. 219. There are two major trails in this area: the Shingletree Trail and the Pheasant Mountain Trail. ATVs are not permitted on National Forest lands, however, these are excellent trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Loop trips can be made using a combination of trails and forest roads. Trails are marked with blue diamonds. Creatures that you may see along the way include a variety of songbirds, grouse, turkey, chipmunks and squirrels, white-tail deer, foxes and black bears. The "frog pond" at the junction of Pheasant Mountain Trail and FR #933 contains a lively frog population and many salamanders, and is used as a watering hole for many mammals.
FERNOW EXPERIMENTAL FOREST
is a field laboratory for two research projects, one on the growth and culture of central Appalachian hardwoods, the other on protection of water resources in central Appalachian forests. Offices for both projects are at the Northeastern Forest Experiment Station's Timber and Watershed Laboratory in Parsons, WV. The Fernow is also an increasingly popular recreational area. The main road system gets heavy use. The 20,000-acre Otter Creek Wilderness Area is accessible from Big Springs Gap via the Elk Lick Road. Hiking trails and skidroads throughout the Fernow Forest are available for public use and enjoyment and are often used for hunting, cross-country skiing and mountain biking. There are also some limestone caverns on the Fernow and Blowing Cave near Big Springs Gap often explored by spelunkers. The cave also provides a hibernation site for the Indiana bat. No overnight camping or campfires are permitted on the experimental forest.
OLSON TOWER RECREATIONAL AREA
is located off of Rt. 219 between Parsons and Thomas, WV. An observation tower still stands that was once used as a fire tower in the area. This is a favored picnic spot. Several trailheads spur off of the area and are used by hikers, mountain bicyclists and horseback riders.
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