Traveling south on Rt 28 from
Petersburg is the popular Spruce Knob/Seneca
Rocks National Recreation Area (NRA). It contains 100,000 acres and West Virginia's highest mountain peak
Spruce Knob. It rises 4,863 feet above a dense
cover of conifers. Azaleas, mountain laurel, and
rhododendron fill these meadows with bright colors early
in the summer. Spruce Knob is located in one of the most
remote areas of the National Forest. Only accessible after
an hour's drive on a narrow gravel road.
WV, Monongahela National Forest, Spruce Knob Lake
The Spruce Knob Lake Campground
contains 43 sites ($8) that are well separated for
privacy in a wilderness setting. The 25 acre Spruce Knob
Lake is within walking distance of the campground
through the back of campsites #29 or #30 (both good site
selections). You will usually find many anglers fishing here since the lake is
stocked regularly with rainbow, brown, and brook trout. A valid West Virginia State Fishing License along with a
National Forest and trout stamp are required.
Gandy and Seneca Creeks are also good for trout fishing.
The
Seneca Rocks portion of the
NRA is one of West Virginia's best known landmarks. A
favorite of rock climbers who scale its sheer 900 feet
Tuscarora quartzite cliffs. Seneca Rocks is rated as an
extreme climb and should only be attempted by experienced
mountain climbers. The well marked hiking trails that
circumvent its base can be enjoyed by all.
Seneca Rock's two campgrounds are:
Seneca Shadows and Big Bend.
Seneca Shadows is the newest
and most modern campground in the NRA (opening in 1990)
and is the easiest to reach. Located just off a major
highway at the intersection of Hwys 33 and 28. Most
other Monongahela National Forest campgrounds require
over 20 miles of travel on gravel/ dirt roads. Seneca
Shadows Campground has 80 campsites ($13) with 13 sites in Loop C containing
electrical hookups ($17). Hot showers and flush toilets
are available. A popular campground and reservations are
recommended in the summer. Shady campsites are rare but
site #35 on Loop C is one of them. Close to the bathrooms and
showers with a clear view of Seneca Rocks. (www.reserveusa.com/).
WV, Monongahela National Forest, Seneca Rocks
A more remote and primitive campground
which is a favorite of fly fishermen is Big Bend. It is
adjacent the South Branch of the Potomac with some of the
area's best trout fishing. Lying next to a half-mile,
nearly vertical, canyon wall. Big Bend has 46 campsites ($12)
with campsites #1-7 the best for privacy and river access.
The premier scenic route through
the Monogahela National Forest is the Highland Scenic
Byway (Hwy 150). A newly paved road that rides the
crests of the Allegheny Mountains traveling north from
the Cranberry Mountain Visitor Center where it rises from
2,000 to 4,500 feet. The byway is lined with overlooks
that provide spacious panoramic views of the surrounding
mountains and valleys.
Along this route you will pass the Tea Creek
Campground which has 29 sites ($4) and 13 trail heads. A
remote area of the forest where it is not uncommon to
site deer, wild turkey (photo to the right), and black bear. In total, the
Monongahela National Forest has over 20 campgrounds with
600 campsites that are open from Apr 15- Oct 31. Monongahela National Forest, USDA Bldg,
200 Sycamore Street, Elkins, WV 26241 (304) 257-4488. www.fs.fed.us/r9/mnf
In the heart of West Virginia's
expansive mountainous terrain lies the Monongahela
National Forest. West Virginia's largest National Forest
containing 40 mountain peaks above 4,000 feet. A
mountainous realm which is unrivaled east of the
Mississippi River. Most of these mountains covered in a
dense forest of pine and hardwoods. Second growth trees
that were planted by the Civilian Conservation Corp and
National Forest Service after the clear-cuts of the early
1900s. Transforming the once barren mountains into a
dense wilderness. The forests contain hundreds of miles of crystal clear
mountains streams with some of the best trout
fishing in the United States. There are 700 miles of
designated hiking trails and 20 campgrounds with 800
sites.
