Monongahela National Forest

Monongahela National Forest spans roughly 325,000 acres across West Virginia and is managed by the U.S. Forest Service as multiple-use public land. The forest offers a mix of recreation typical of eastern national forests: hiking and backpacking on established trails, dispersed camping on Forest Service land, fishing in streams and rivers, and scenic driving through the landscape. Hunting is permitted during designated seasons. The region experiences four distinct seasons, with summer and early fall providing the most reliable conditions for outdoor travel, while winter snow and ice can make high-elevation areas and back roads challenging to access.