At a Glance
Along the banks of the Cherry River, the town of Richwood is more than the start of the breathtaking 43-mile Highland Scenic Highway; it’s the home of freshly roasted coffee, charming art galleries, and a gateway to some of the Monongahela National Forest’s best-kept secrets.
From family-friendly adventures at the Cranberry Glades, Falls of Hills Creek, and Summit Lake to action-packed whitewater expeditions on the Upper Gauley, backcountry treks through the Cranberry Wilderness, and rides along the remote 16-mile Tri-Rivers Rail Trail, Richwood is infused with an unmistakable Allegheny Mountain energy.
Places to Play
Itineraries
Stay
Downtown Richwood is a hub for creatives seeking inspiration from the surrounding mountains, with art galleries, a local museum, and a cozy coffee shop adding life to its historic streets. Enjoy innovative pub fare in a restored landmark or classic American favorites at local bars, then stay nearby in welcoming lodges, riverside cabins, or mountain-view campgrounds that capture the spirit of the Mon.
History
Richwood began as a tiny mountain hamlet known as Cherry Tree Bottoms, where only a few dozen residents lived along the Cherry River in near-total isolation. That changed dramatically in the early 1900s with the arrival of the Cherry River Boom & Lumber Company and the railroad, which transformed the area into one of the most productive lumber and tannery towns in West Virginia. In just a few years, the settlement exploded into a thriving industrial city, earning nicknames like the the “Hardwood Capital of the World.” Its workforce included both longtime locals and waves of immigrant laborers, whose traditions and craftsmanship shaped the town’s early character, festivals, and distinctive architecture. Richwood forged connections with neighboring towns through the Cherry River Navy, a unique civic organization whose work helped result in part of todays Highland Scenic Highway. Though the timber and tanning industries eventually declined, Richwood continues to reinvent itself through community pride, cultural heritage, and a growing outdoor recreation economy that connects visitors to the wild rivers and deep forests of the Monongahela National Forest.
Bird’s Eye View of Richwood, W. Va., 1909. Duez, Richard. West Virginia and Regional History Collection, West Virginia University Libraries.
Did you know?
Ramp it Up
Richwood is known as the “Ramp Capital of the World,” a pungent yet flavorful relative of onions and garlic celebrated during the annual “Feast of the Ramson.”
Merry on the Cherry
Landlocked Richwood is home to the Cherry River Navy, whose past members included three American presidents and baseball star Babe Ruth
Put a Pin in It
During the Cherry River Lumber Boom, Richwood was home to the largest wooden clothespin factory in the world
