Cranberry Wilderness

Cranberry Wilderness is a 47,742-acre federally protected wilderness area in West Virginia, managed by the Forest Service. It offers remote backcountry terrain for hikers and backpackers seeking genuine solitude and primitive conditions away from roads and development.

This is true wilderness: no motorized vehicles, no roads, and no mechanized travel are permitted. The landscape is rugged and undeveloped, rewarding visitors willing to navigate on foot with deep forest solitude and the chance to disconnect entirely. Access requires physical preparation and self-sufficiency—you'll be relying on established trails, map and compass skills, and careful planning.

Visit during late spring through early fall for the most reliable conditions and comfortable weather. Winter brings hazardous snow and ice that can make travel treacherous and access difficult. All users must follow Leave No Trace principles: pack out what you pack in, camp only in designated areas where permitted, treat water, and minimize impact on this protected landscape.