ELKINS, W.Va. (WBOY) — Some campgrounds, picnic areas and visitor centers in the Monongahela National Forest will be closing for the winter soon, the United States Forest Service (USFS) announced Monday.

In a press release, the USFS shared those closing dates, by area. Some closing dates are set based on a calendar date, but others will depend on the weather. The forest shares updates on its conditions in its Forest’s Recreation Conditions Report on its website.

Elkins and Parsons, Cheat-Potomac Ranger District (304-478-2000):

  • Bear Heaven Campground – Dec. 1
  • Bickle Knob Observation Tower – Closes when roads are snow-covered
  • Horseshoe Recreation Area – Closed for season
  • Olson Observation Tower – Closes when roads are snow-covered
  • Stuart Recreation Area – Closed for season

Petersburg and Seneca Rocks, Cheat-Potomac Ranger District (304-257-4488):

  • Big Bend Campground – Oct. 30
  • Dolly Sods Picnic Area – Jan. 1
  • Gatewood Group Campground – Until Nov. 30 no fees charged. Pack in, pack out with no services
  • Jess Judy Group Campground – Oct. 30
  • Red Creek Campground – Dec. 31
  • Seneca Rocks Discovery Center – Oct. 29 is last day open
  • Seneca Rocks Picnic Area – Nov. 30
  • Seneca Shadows Campground – Oct. 30
  • Spruce Knob Lake – Lake open year-round. Toilets close Dec. 1
  • Spruce Knob Lake Campground – Closed for season
  • Spruce Knob Observation Tower – Area open year-round (except when roads are snow-covered). Toilets close Dec. 1

Bartow, Greenbrier Ranger District (304-456-3335):

  • Gaudineer Knob Picnic Area – Closes when roads are snow-covered. Toilets close Dec. 1
  • Island Campground – Dec. 1
  • Lake Buffalo – Lake open year-round. Toilets close Dec. 1
  • Laurel Fork Campground – Dec. 1
  • Middle Mountain Cabins – Dec. 1
  • Old House Run Picnic Area – Dec. 2

Richwood, Gauley Ranger District (304-846-2695):

  • Big Rock Campground – Dec. 1
  • Bishop Knob Campground – Dec. 1
  • Cranberry Campground – Dec. 1
  • Cranberry Mountain Nature Center – Closed for season
  • Cranberry River Developed Dispersed Campsites – Area closes when snow-covered. Toilets close Dec. 1
  • North Bend Picnic Area – Closed for season
  • Summit Lake – Lake open year-round. Toilets close Dec. 1
  • Summit Lake Campground – Dec. 1
  • Williams River Developed Dispersed Campsites (Sites #1 – #20 located downstream of Tea Creek Campground) – Area closes when snow-covered.  Toilets closed Dec. 1
  • Woodbine Picnic Area – Closed for season

Marlinton, Marlinton-White Sulphur Ranger District (304-799-4334):

  • Day Run Campground – Dec. 1
  • Highland Scenic Highway – Road closes when snow-covered. Toilets close Dec. 1
  • Pocahontas Campground – Dec. 1
  • Rimel Picnic Area – Jan. 1
  • Tea Creek Campground – Dec. 1
  • Williams River Developed Dispersed Campsites (Sites #21 to #30 located upstream of Tea Creek Campground) – Area closes when snow-covered. Toilets closed Dec. 1

White Sulphur Springs, Marlinton-White Sulphur Ranger District (304-536-2144):

  • Blue Bend Recreation Area – Camping closes Dec. 1. Picnicking closes Dec. 1
  • Hopkins Knob Fireman’s Cabin – Dec. 1
  • Lake Sherwood Recreation Area and Campground – West Shore Loop closes Nov. 1. All other camping loops and day use area are closed for season. Lake is open year-round. Lake toilets close Oct. 31

Many parts of the forest allow year-round roadside camping. The USFS encourages visitors to contact the District Office near their desired location with questions.