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@monforesttowns

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🌳 Explore the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia 🥾 Trails, Waterfalls & Scenic Views 🚂 12 Historic Mt. Towns 🧭 1M+ Acres to Roam 🐻

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🌳 The Mon Forest’s North Zone has 566 miles of trail — and a growing maintenance backlog that volunteers and Forest Service staff alone can’t keep pace with.

We’re hoping to change that.

🪏 MFTP is launching a dedicated seasonal trail crew in the North Zone in 2027. Three people. 300+ miles in the first season. The USDA Forest Service is covering half the cost, with support from grants, partners, and our communities, we’re committed to raising the rest, $300 a mile.

🔗 Learn more and donate at the link in bio or comment “North Zone” for a link send straight to your DMs! A lush green forest under a cloudy sky, featuring a rocky ledge. Text overlays read: "The Mon National Forest has 566 miles of trail in the North Zone and right now, they need you." taken in Monongahela National Forest by @monforesttowns

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5 months ago

🍁🔥 West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest region is ablaze with spectacular fall colors top to bottom! From the spectacular heights of the Highland Scenic Highway, Gaudineer Knob, and Red Oak to the hidden forests of Falls Creek, West Fork Rail Trail, and Summit Lake we’ve been blown away with this years foliage show!

⬇️ Drop your latest fall pics in the comments ❤️🍂

📸 October 8-9, 2026 taken in Monongahela National Forest by @monforesttowns

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3 days ago

📣 Elkins, come join the conversation!

❤️ Folks in Elkins have been hard at work bringing new businesses, new energy, and new trails to town, and there are plenty of exciting projects coming to the Mon Forest region as a whole 🌲

💪Join community members and the Mon Forest Towns Partnership for our Community Action Meeting. Whether you just want to learn more or you’re ready to get involved, there’s a place for you!

📅 Wednesday, October 14th, 2026
🕔 5–7 PM
📍 Ascend Basecamp, The Railyard Event & Conference Center, 50 Roundhouse Way, Elkins, WV

Open to all community members. See what’s been going on and find out how to join! 🌲🐻 Photo of group of four individuals walk through Main Street of historic downtown smiling. Overlay provides information about upcoming community action meeting. taken in Elkins, West Virginia by @monforesttowns

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5 days ago

🍂 Whew! It’s been a whirlwind start to fall, with Leaf Peepers and the Mountain State Forest Festival now behind us - but the foliage fun is just getting started!

⛰️🌲The Mon’s highest locations, including Blackwater Falls, Canaan Valley, Dolly Sods, Spruce Knob, and Roaring Plains are among the first to turn and are nearing their peak! 🚙 Haven’t left yet? There’s still time to catch peak at some of the Mon’s top destinations from the High Falls of Cheat to Falls of Hills Creek and the Highland Scenic Highway!

⬇️ 🍁 As we inch closer to peak each day in the highest elevations of the state, be sure to share your fall foliage photos with us in the comments! taken in Monongahela National Forest by @monforesttowns

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7 days ago

🛶🎨 The first of the Mon Forest Towns new Paint & Paddle kiosks has arrived in Elkins!

💙 This project led by Dr. Giobbia, paired future art educators from WVU’s School of Art and Design with local high school students transforming old canoes into public art inspired by their communities 🙌

🖌️ Each kiosk features a unique front panel created by local students and a back panel by Petersburg muralist @kelsonthorne / @artjunkie_llc

🪚🔨 Built through collaboration with South Branch Career and Technical Center with additional support from @wvtourism, the kiosks will also house geocaches and information on nearby outdoor recreation, connecting Appalachian creativity with your next outdoor adventure 🧭🥾

Stop by, snap a photo, and celebrate the talent rooted right here in our region! 📸 Stay tuned for more Paint and Paddle kiosks coming to a Mon Forest Town near you.

📍Railroad Ave, Elkins, West Virginia taken in Elkins, West Virginia by @monforesttowns

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14 days ago

📍Otter Creek Wilderness, Parsons, West Virginia

🥾🍁 If you love Dolly Sods’ Red Creek Trail, the nearly 12 mile Otter Creek Trail is an underrated alternative with stunning waterfalls, rocky canyons, secluded swim holes, and dozens of possible hiking loops!

🚙 Located outside our towns of Parsons and Elkins, Otter Creek less than three hours from Pittsburgh and less than 4 hours drive from Baltimore and DC. It’s perfect for a full weekend adventure, but if you’re short on time, here’s three nearby activities worth the stop!
- Dry Fork Trailhead Swinging Bridge: 0.5 mile out and back to a beautiful bridge and unique geological formations
- Bickle Knob Tower: A short 0.25 mile out and back to restored fire tower at the wilderness areas southwestern boundary provides incredible views of the surrounding forest.
- Bear Heaven Recreation Area: Hike a winding 0.75 mile loop through massive sandstone boulders at the wilderness areas southeastern edge. taken in Otter Creek Wilderness by @monforesttowns

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a month ago

👏😏When it comes to marshy boardwalk trails, the Mon Forest Towns have you covered!

🥾 Let us know your favorite boardwalk trail in the Monongahela region!
➡️ Northland Loop Interpretive Trail, Dolly Sods Scenic Area
➡️ Glades Boardwalk Loop, Cranberry Glades Scenic Area
➡️ Tea Creek Interpretive Trail, Highland Scenic Highway
➡️ Freeland Boardwalk Trail, Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge

🌱 While they might not have cliffside views, the High Alleghenies’ wonderful wetlands are home to rare plants and animals found nowhere else in West Virginia! Help us protect these sensitive ecosystems by always remembering to leave no trace! Marshy boardwalk trail opens into clearing in West Virginia’s Dolly Sods Wilderness taken in West Virginia by @monforesttowns

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a month ago

🍂🥾 Did you know, before it was a trail or part of a Tyler Childers song, West Virginia’s Cranberry Glades was home to a prison with no walls?

Future Civil Rights leaders, playwrights, and authors were imprisoned at Mill Point by the harsh nature of Pocahontas County’s rugged topography as much as they were by the law ⛰️🌱

📍 Located right off the Highland Scenic Highway between Richwood and Marlinton, explore the history of Mill Point along the 7-mile Cowpasture Loop or take the easier 2-mile out-and-back from the eastern trailhead near the boardwalk parking area!

Looking for more history hikes and drives in Almost Heaven’s Cranberry Country? Visit the Mon Forest Towns website with the link in the bio for more heritage itineraries across the Monongahela National Forest Region! 🚙🌳 taken in Cranberry Glades by @monforesttowns

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a month ago

👀 Guess who’s now open for overnight stays...
📍 Red Oak Fire Tower, Webster County, West Virginia

🌳 Towering 80ft above the Bishop Knob region right outside the Cranberry Wilderness between our towns of Richwood and Cowen 🚙, Red Oak is one of the few remaining original fire lookout towers in the Monongahela National Forest!

🍂 Book Your Fall stay while spots last and check out our Cranberry Country itineraries for a complete list of adventures in the Southern Monongahela region!

🔥 Learn more about the incredible history of fire towers in the Monongahela, as well as hikes to former fire lookout locations on our website - links in bio ❤️🔗 taken in Webster County by @monforesttowns

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a month ago

Marlinton, WV

Shot in October 2024 taken in Marlinton, West Virginia by @monforesttowns

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2 months ago

🍁 Honestly, we’re starting to get the fall itch…

📍 Chimney Top, North Fork Mountain Trail, Petersburg & Franklin, West Virginia

🥾 Colors on the North Fork will likely peak in early to mid October! Remember to pack extra water for this hike, whether you’re ascending the 5-mile out and back to the summit or conquering the full 22-miles.

🚙 North Fork is just 3 hours from Pittsburgh, DC, and Baltimore! Check out our North Fork Scenic Itinerary with the links in our bio for more awesome hikes in Seneca Rocks, Franklin, and Petersburg! taken in West Virginia by @monforesttowns

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2 months ago

🍁 With the end of August right around the corner, our Mon Forest Towns are preparing for the start of the stunning fall foliage show! With the highest elevations in the state, the Monongahela National Forest region see’s some of the earliest changes in the state!

🥾🍂What adventures are on your fall in the forest bucket list?

⏰ 🍂The Sooner the Better! (Especially with drier than usual conditions) Late September to Early October peak conditions at Dolly Sods, Roaring Plains, and Spruce Knob. Early to Mid October for North Fork, Smoke Hole, and Seneca Rocks.

⛰️ The Dolly Sods, Roaring Plains, and Seneca Creek region is home to West Virginia’s highest peak - Spruce Knob. While Red Creek’s 2500ft elevation will hold out longer, the 4700ft peaks of Spruce and Mount Porte Crayon will be among the first to change 🍁 though many of the highest elevation are also home to Red Spruce who keep their color throughout the seasons🌲

⏰🍂 Early October for Canaan and the Blackwater Canyon; Mid October for Otter Creek Wilderness, especially lower elevation trails like the Otter Creek Trail 🥾

🌳 The Otter Creek Wilderness and Canaan Mountain Backcountry region of the Monongahela starts at a low point of 1800ft along the Dry Fork of the Cheat before rising to 3900ft at McGowan Mountain and over 4100 at Pointy Knob.

⏰🍂 Late September to Early October are best for the 43-mile Highland Scenic Highway corridor as elevations exceed 4500ft. Peak fall colors can hold out through Mid October in the lower elevation regions of the Williams River, Bishop Knob, and Tri-Rivers Rail Trail areas. 🥾

⏰ With the 2nd highest elevation in the state at Thorny Flat, the Cheat Mountain and Shavers Fork region changes quick! Late September is the ideal time for a drive up the scenic Staunton Parkersburg Turnpike between Elkins and Durbin 🚙 You can still enjoy peak colors later into the fall in Mid-October in the valleys along the West Fork Rail Trail 🚲

⏰🍂 With lower elevations towards the Monongahela’s southern tip, you can enjoy peak fall colors at Lake Sherwood, Blue Bend, and Greenbrier State Forest in Mid October. Some locations, like Watoga’s Ann Bailey and Droop Mountain’s ove taken in Monongahela National Forest by @monforesttowns

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2 months ago