Towns

About Mon Forest Towns

With almost one million acres, ten WV counties, and more than four hours of travel from top to bottom, the Monongahela National Forest touches not only our pilot towns but dozens more communities.

Today, approximately 1.3 million visitors come to the Monongahela National Forest each year.  It is a place where visitors can enjoy breathtaking vistas, peaceful country roads, gently flowing streams, and glimpses of many plants and animals. The MNF was established in 1920 and encompasses one of the most ecologically diverse areas in the United States, with elevations from just under 1,000 feet to 4,863 feet above sea level.

The MNF is a ‘working’ forest, which provides timber, water, grazing, minerals, and recreational opportunities.  The national importance of the recreation resource of the Monongahela has been recognized through the designation of the Spruce Knob – Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area, the first NRA in the Forest Service, National Scenic Byway status for the Highland Scenic Highway, and eight Wilderness Areas. 

Dispersed recreation opportunities abound for hiking, backpacking, fishing, hunting, mountain biking, climbing, and kayaking. The IMBA Ride Center in Marlinton brings mountain bike riders from all over America to its international events. See our interactive map for the types of activities you love the most. Our towns wait to welcome you as you need rest, lodging or a cool drink and invite you to special events you can find at the county visitors bureaus, such as those at Randolph, Pendleton, Tucker, Pocahontas and Greenbrier County.

To learn more about the Mon Forest Towns recreation economy development process, visit – https://publicinterestdesign.wvu.edu/mon-forest-towns/process


For more information about the Mon Forest Towns Partnership and opportunities to get involved, contact

For media inquiries, contact Chelsea Faulknier at

 

map showing connection between 10 towns