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Description - Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:00
am - 4:30 PM except Federal holidays.
Location: Located just north of Parsons,
West Virginia, on U. S. Route 219.
Directions: From Parsons take U.S. Route
219 north. Travel over the Black Fork River
Bridge and take the next right immediately
past the bridge.
HIKING: The Cheat Ranger District manages
160.8 miles of trail; 36.8 miles in Otter Creek,
and 124 miles of non-wilderness trails. Otter
Creek Wilderness party size is limited to 10
people, and mechanized equipment and
vehicles are prohibited. Many trails outside
the designated wilderness area are suited for
hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and horseback
riding.
Several handouts for circuit hikes are available
at no charge from the district office. They are:
Canaan Mountain Backcountry, Horseshoe
Run Area, Otter Creek Wilderness, and
Pheasant Mountain.
CAMPING: Three developed campgrounds
are located on the district. Camping
reservations may be made for Horseshoe and
Stuart Recreation Areas up to four days in
advance. Call the USFS Reservation Center
at (877)444-6777 or TTY/TDD (877)833-6777
for reservation information. Information is also
available on the Internet at
www.ReserveUSA.com.
Bear Heaven Recreation Area: Located
approximately 14 miles NE of Elkins, WV, on
Stuart Memorial Drive (Forest Road 91). High
elevation, open year round, and situated in a
dense oak stand. Found on USGS Quad -
Bowden.
· Fee: $5.00/night with 8 person/site
maximum and 14-day stay limit.
· Unit: Parking, table, fire ring, tent pad, and
lantern holder.
· Facilities: Vault toilets (not accessible)
and hand water pump. A day use area
with accessible vault toilets nearby.
Hiking.
Horseshoe Recreation Area: Located
approximately 7 miles NE of St. George, WV,
along the river bottom of Horseshoe Run on
WV Route 7. Open mid-May to early
December. Found on USGS Quad -
Leadmine.
• Fee: $10.00/night with 8 person/site and
14 day stay limit.
• Unit: Parking, table, fire ring, tent pad, and
lantern holder. Two sites are fully
accessible.
• Facilities: Accessible vault toilets, nonaccessible
flush toilets, and hand water
pumps. Day use picnic area with a large
and small pavilion.
• The large and the small pavilion may be
reserved. Play field, river access,
horseshoe pits, fishing, and hiking.
Stuart Recreation Area: Located
approximately 6 miles NE of Elkins, WV, on
the Shavers Fork River at the junction of WV
Route 6 and Stuart Memorial Drive (Forest
Road 91). Open mid-May to early October.
Found on USGS Quad - Elkins.
• Fees: $19.00/night, except one double
site is $33.00/night, with 8-person/site
maximum and 14-day stay limit.
• Unit: Parking, table, fire ring, tent pad,
lantern holder, and electric hook-up. Five
sites are fully accessible.
• Facilities: Fully accessible shower building
with flush toilets. Combination of
accessible and non-accessible vault
toilets. Six water faucets dispersed
throughout campground. Large day use
area with three pavilions. All of the
pavilions may be reserved. Play fields,
volleyball area, horseshoe pits, river
access, swimming beach, fishing, and
hiking.
PAVILION RESERVATIONS: Pavilions at
Horseshoe and Stuart Recreation Area may
be reserved according to the fee schedule
listed below. Reservations may be made up
to 4 days in advance by calling (877)444-
6777. Please indicate that you are calling for
a site in the state of West Virginia on the
Monongahela National Forest.
Stuart Electric: $100.00
Stuart Non-Electric $ 60.00
Alpena Shelter: $ 40.00
Horseshoe Electric: $ 70.00
Horseshoe Non-Electric: $ 15.00
FERNOW EXPERIMENTAL FOREST
In 1934 a portion of forest, which would
eventually become the Monongahela National
Forest, was recognized as representative of
much of the timberland in West Virginia and
adjacent states in topography, history of
cuttings, climate, and variety of species. It was
set aside for research use and designated the
Fernow Experimental Forest in memory of
Bernhard E. Fernow, a pioneer in American
forestry research. The experimental forest,
with recent land acquisitions from the
Monongahela National Forest, now totals
approximately 4,700 acres.
This project of the USDA Forest Service is
headquartered at the Timber and Watershed
Laboratory, which is collocated with the Cheat-
Potomac Ranger District, in Parsons, WV.
Attractions
- Office Hours: Monday through Friday 7:00
am - 4:30 PM except Federal holidays.
Location: Located just north of Parsons,
West Virginia, on U. S. Route 219.
Directions: From Parsons take U.S. Route
219 north. Travel over the Black Fork River
Bridge and take the next right immediately
past the bridge.
Recreation - HIKING: The Cheat Ranger District manages
160.8 miles of trail; 36.8 miles in Otter Creek,
and 124 miles of non-wilderness trails. Otter
Creek Wilderness party size is limited to 10
people, and mechanized equipment and
vehicles are prohibited. Many trails outside
the designated wilderness area are suited for
hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and horseback
riding.
Several handouts for circuit hikes are available
at no charge from the district office. They are:
Canaan Mountain Backcountry, Horseshoe
Run Area, Otter Creek Wilderness, and
Pheasant Mountain.
CAMPING: Three developed campgrounds
are located on the district. Camping
reservations may be made for Horseshoe and
Stuart Recreation Areas up to four days in
advance. Call the USFS Reservation Center
at (877)444-6777 or TTY/TDD (877)833-6777
for reservation information. Information is also
available on the Internet at
www.ReserveUSA.com. Climate - West Virginia experiences four distinct seasons, none of which are extreme. Temperatures in the highlands of the Allegheny Mountains are somewhat more severe than the rest of the state. Generally temperatures during the winter months range from 15 to 40 degrees F. Ample snow accumulation provides for cross-country and downhill skiing opportunities. Spring brings blooming trees and shrubs to the forested regions of the state, as well as warmer temperatures. During this season, March through May, expect mild temperatures between 45 and 70 degrees F. Summers are normally hot with high humidity, especially at lower elevations. Expect temperatures to range from 70 at night to 95 during the dog days of August. Fall brings cool, crisp air to West Virginia and spectacular foliage color changes. Bring a light jacket for this season, which brings temperatures between 35, at night, to 70 degrees F, during the day. Location -
Directions: From Parsons take U.S. Route
219 north. Travel over the Black Fork River
Bridge and take the next right immediately
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