Places to Play
Explore the Mon Forest Towns of West Virginia through regions that offer something for every kind of outdoor experience, from easy trails, rivers, and rail trails to remote wilderness, rugged ridgelines, and high-elevation landscapes. These places connect towns, recreation areas, and the Monongahela region’s most memorable ways to get outside.
A 26-mile rail-trail from Elkins to Hendricks offering paved and gravel sections for biking, walking, and accessible recreation.
A 311-mile footpath from the Mason-Dixon Line to the Appalachian Trail, crossing state parks and Monongahela National Forest ridges
Bear Heaven Recreation Area offers dramatic sandstone formations, peaceful camping, and trail access into the Otter Creek Wilderness.
Dramatic sandstone outcrops and sweeping Allegheny Front views along a short, family-friendly loop at Dolly Sods’ edge.
Massive sandstone boulders and cool rock crevices with an accessible half-mile boardwalk near Marlinton.
A quiet 55-acre lake near Cowen with warmwater fishing, accessible trails, and picnic facilities perfect for family outings.
Accessible wilderness near White Sulphur Springs offering hiking, fishing, and birdwatching across 5,000 acres of hardwood forest.
A challenging 10-mile backcountry rail-trail dropping through Blackwater Canyon past waterfalls and historic industrial remnants.
Home to West Virginia’s iconic 57-foot amber waterfall with trails, paddling, and year-round recreation near Thomas and Davis.
Remote high-elevation backcountry between Durbin and Laurel Fork Wilderness offering rugged trails and off-the-grid solitude.
Wild plateau between Blackwater Falls and Canaan Valley with 30+ miles of rugged trails for experienced hikers and bikers.
Premier wildlife refuge with 30+ miles of trails through rare high-elevation wetlands, meadows, and spruce forests near Davis.
Four-season resort offering downhill skiing, golf, 18 miles of trails, and panoramic lift-served views in Canaan Valley.
Gated trail network for hikers, bikers, and equestrians offering remote valleys, trout streams, and camping near Cranberry Wilderness.
Rare high-elevation bog with accessible boardwalk, carnivorous plants, and a nature center along the Highland Scenic Highway.
A 16-mile rail-trail from Richwood following three rivers through scenic valleys with historic tunnels and bridges.
One of the East’s largest wilderness areas with 60+ miles of trails, legendary trout waters, and premier backpacking solitude.
Newly protected wetlands linking Dolly Sods and Canaan Valley with primitive trails on historic railroad grades.
Iconic windswept plateau with 47+ miles of trails, tundra-like barrens, and dramatic Allegheny Front views.
Civil War battlefield with lookout tower, ridge trails, and interpretive exhibits overlooking the Greenbrier Valley.
Three of West Virginia’s tallest waterfalls on a 1.4-mile trail with boardwalks and an accessible viewing platform.
Living research forest near Parsons offering interpretive trails through American chestnut plantings and restoration projects.
A 122-acre riverside green space in Elkins with easy trails, river access, and fishing for quick outdoor escapes.
Rare old-growth red spruce forest with easy interpretive trails and panoramic overlook near Durbin.
Remote mountain biking zone near Snowshoe with rugged trails connecting to Tea Creek for off-the-grid adventure.
A 78-mile rail-trail along the Greenbrier River offering scenic, easy riding from Caldwell to Cass with camping.
5,100 acres of trails, cabins, and camping near White Sulphur Springs with valley views and summer swimming.
West Virginia’s second-largest state park with 8,100+ acres of waterfalls, wildflowers, trails, and family camping.
Historic CCC-built campground near Parsons with riverside camping, trout fishing, and classic 1930s stonework.
West Virginia’s highest state forest with cool high-country terrain, trout streams, and rustic CCC cabins.
Quiet 22-acre mountain lake near Durbin with fishing, boating, camping, and trail access to highland views.
The forest’s largest lake, with 156 acres of swimming, paddling, camping, and an easy lakeside loop trail.
Nearly 15,000 acres of spruce forests and trout streams with 18+ miles of backcountry trails and historic CCC cabins.
A 3,168-acre recreation hub in Davis with 15 miles of trails connecting Canaan Valley and the national forest.
Steep backcountry trails above Marlinton connecting the Greenbrier River Trail and Monday Lick system.
Purpose-built mountain bike trails near Marlinton with flowy ridgelines and connections to downtown.
Internationally recognized mountain bike destination with 30+ miles of stacked loops and dispersed camping near Durbin.
A 24-mile ridge trail with nonstop panoramic views from Chimney Rocks to Smoke Hole Canyon.
Panoramic observation tower and rugged canyon trails near Parsons with rare wetlands and railroad history.
20,000 acres of primitive wilderness with 45+ miles of trails and creek-side camping near Parsons and Elkins
Remote, lightly visited backcountry at the forest’s edge favoring solitude and loop trails.
Windswept 6,800-acre plateau with rocky outcrops and big-sky views south of Dolly Sods.
19,600 acres with 60+ miles of trails, waterfalls, wildflower meadows, and connections to Spruce Knob.
Iconic 900-foot sandstone fins with steep overlook trail, world-class climbing, and Discovery Center.
West Virginia’s oldest state forest with 23 miles of trails, historic CCC cabins, and a restored fire tower.
Remote river corridor with dispersed camping, backcountry trails, and trout fishing along Shavers Fork.
Dramatic limestone gorge offering premier climbing, fishing, paddling, and scenic driving near Petersburg.
Remote 7,000-acre trail-less wilderness along the Greenbrier River for experienced explorers.
West Virginia’s highest peak stands at 4,863 feet and offers panoramic views, an observation tower, and subalpine forests.
CCC-built riverside camping near Elkins with access to Bickle Knob Observation Tower and valley views.
Quiet 43-acre mountain lake near Richwood with trails, fishing, camping, and stunning reflections.
Nearly 45 miles of trails near Marlinton, connecting the Williams River, Cranberry Wilderness, and Gauley Base.
A 40-mile calm-water paddle trail from Parsons to Rowlesburg with abundant access and mountain scenery.
West Virginia’s largest state park with 10,000+ acres of trails, lakes, cabins, and rich CCC-era history.
Remote 22-mile rail-trail from Glady to Durbin with dispersed camping and historic railroad ghost towns.
Scenic river corridor with premier trout fishing, dispersed camping near Cowen, and connections to Cranberry Wilderness.
Remote 7,000-acre trail-less wilderness along the Greenbrier River for experienced explorers.
19,600 acres with 60+ miles of trails, waterfalls, wildflower meadows, and connections to Spruce Knob.
Remote, lightly visited backcountry at the forest’s edge favoring solitude and loop trails.
West Virginia’s second-largest state park with 8,100+ acres of waterfalls, wildflowers, trails, and family camping.
Accessible wilderness near White Sulphur Springs offering hiking, fishing, and birdwatching across 5,000 acres of hardwood forest.
A challenging 10-mile backcountry rail-trail dropping through Blackwater Canyon past waterfalls and historic industrial remnants.
CCC-built riverside camping near Elkins with access to Bickle Knob Observation Tower and valley views.
Massive sandstone boulders and cool rock crevices with an accessible half-mile boardwalk near Marlinton.
A 26-mile rail-trail from Elkins to Hendricks offering paved and gravel sections for biking, walking, and accessible recreation.
Premier wildlife refuge with 30+ miles of trails through rare high-elevation wetlands, meadows, and spruce forests near Davis.
A 311-mile footpath from the Mason-Dixon Line to the Appalachian Trail, crossing state parks and Monongahela National Forest ridges
Quiet 43-acre mountain lake near Richwood with trails, fishing, camping, and stunning reflections.
Dramatic sandstone outcrops and sweeping Allegheny Front views along a short, family-friendly loop at Dolly Sods’ edge.
Remote mountain biking zone near Snowshoe with rugged trails connecting to Tea Creek for off-the-grid adventure.
Nearly 45 miles of trails near Marlinton, connecting the Williams River, Cranberry Wilderness, and Gauley Base.
One of the East’s largest wilderness areas with 60+ miles of trails, legendary trout waters, and premier backpacking solitude.
Rare old-growth red spruce forest with easy interpretive trails and panoramic overlook near Durbin.
Internationally recognized mountain bike destination with 30+ miles of stacked loops and dispersed camping near Durbin.
Four-season resort offering downhill skiing, golf, 18 miles of trails, and panoramic lift-served views in Canaan Valley.
A 78-mile rail-trail along the Greenbrier River offering scenic, easy riding from Caldwell to Cass with camping.
A quiet 55-acre lake near Cowen with warmwater fishing, accessible trails, and picnic facilities perfect for family outings.
A 24-mile ridge trail with nonstop panoramic views from Chimney Rocks to Smoke Hole Canyon.
West Virginia’s highest state forest with cool high-country terrain, trout streams, and rustic CCC cabins.
A 40-mile calm-water paddle trail from Parsons to Rowlesburg with abundant access and mountain scenery.
Scenic river corridor with premier trout fishing, dispersed camping near Cowen, and connections to Cranberry Wilderness.
Remote 22-mile rail-trail from Glady to Durbin with dispersed camping and historic railroad ghost towns.
Dramatic limestone gorge offering premier climbing, fishing, paddling, and scenic driving near Petersburg.
Remote river corridor with dispersed camping, backcountry trails, and trout fishing along Shavers Fork.
Three of West Virginia’s tallest waterfalls on a 1.4-mile trail with boardwalks and an accessible viewing platform.
Nearly 15,000 acres of spruce forests and trout streams with 18+ miles of backcountry trails and historic CCC cabins.
Historic CCC-built campground near Parsons with riverside camping, trout fishing, and classic 1930s stonework.
A 3,168-acre recreation hub in Davis with 15 miles of trails connecting Canaan Valley and the national forest.
Gated trail network for hikers, bikers, and equestrians offering remote valleys, trout streams, and camping near Cranberry Wilderness.
The forest’s largest lake, with 156 acres of swimming, paddling, camping, and an easy lakeside loop trail.
Panoramic observation tower and rugged canyon trails near Parsons with rare wetlands and railroad history.
Wild plateau between Blackwater Falls and Canaan Valley with 30+ miles of rugged trails for experienced hikers and bikers.
Iconic 900-foot sandstone fins with steep overlook trail, world-class climbing, and Discovery Center.
Remote high-elevation backcountry between Durbin and Laurel Fork Wilderness offering rugged trails and off-the-grid solitude.
Iconic windswept plateau with 47+ miles of trails, tundra-like barrens, and dramatic Allegheny Front views.
Windswept 6,800-acre plateau with rocky outcrops and big-sky views south of Dolly Sods.
A 16-mile rail-trail from Richwood following three rivers through scenic valleys with historic tunnels and bridges.
20,000 acres of primitive wilderness with 45+ miles of trails and creek-side camping near Parsons and Elkins
Steep backcountry trails above Marlinton connecting the Greenbrier River Trail and Monday Lick system.
5,100 acres of trails, cabins, and camping near White Sulphur Springs with valley views and summer swimming.
Bear Heaven Recreation Area offers dramatic sandstone formations, peaceful camping, and trail access into the Otter Creek Wilderness.
Newly protected wetlands linking Dolly Sods and Canaan Valley with primitive trails on historic railroad grades.
West Virginia’s largest state park with 10,000+ acres of trails, lakes, cabins, and rich CCC-era history.
Rare high-elevation bog with accessible boardwalk, carnivorous plants, and a nature center along the Highland Scenic Highway.
West Virginia’s oldest state forest with 23 miles of trails, historic CCC cabins, and a restored fire tower.
West Virginia’s highest peak stands at 4,863 feet and offers panoramic views, an observation tower, and subalpine forests.
Quiet 22-acre mountain lake near Durbin with fishing, boating, camping, and trail access to highland views.
Civil War battlefield with lookout tower, ridge trails, and interpretive exhibits overlooking the Greenbrier Valley.
Purpose-built mountain bike trails near Marlinton with flowy ridgelines and connections to downtown.
A 122-acre riverside green space in Elkins with easy trails, river access, and fishing for quick outdoor escapes.
Living research forest near Parsons offering interpretive trails through American chestnut plantings and restoration projects.
Home to West Virginia’s iconic 57-foot amber waterfall with trails, paddling, and year-round recreation near Thomas and Davis.