Cranberry Glades National Scenic Area
At a Glance
Cranberry Glades Botanical Area preserves a unique high-elevation bog complex along the Highland Scenic Highway, where a half-mile accessible boardwalk loop winds through open glades supporting carnivorous plants, wild orchids, and migratory birds. The nearby Cranberry Mountain Nature Center provides interpretive exhibits exploring this rare Appalachian ecosystem shaped by Ice Age climate. Located between Marlinton and Richwood, the Glades serve as one of the most popular stops in the Monongahela National Forest and a gateway to the Cranberry Backcountry and Wilderness areas.
Activities
- Hiking
- ADA
- Wildlife Viewing
Features
- Wetland
- Wildflower
- Visitors Center
- Interpretive Signage
- Boardwalk
Difficulty
Season
Day-Use; Roads close in Winter
Cranberry Mountain Nature Center closed in Winter
Area Trails
Trail Name
Trail Name
Recreation Sites
Item #1
Item #2
Item #3
Safety
Boardwalk trails may be slippery after precipitation.
Please stay on marked trails to protect sensitive habitat.
Cell service may not be available during your hike. Please plan accordingly and always follow Leave No Trace principles.
Directions
From Richwood, travel east on WV-39 (Highland Scenic Highway) for 21 miles. Turn left onto FR 102 for the Glades or continue straight for the Nature Center.
From Marlinton, head south on US-219 for 8 miles, turning onto WV-39 for 7 miles. Continue for 6.5 miles to the Nature Center or 7 miles to FR 102 and the Glades.
Nearby Towns
Downtown
15 Minutes
30 Minutes
60 Minutes
