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Cranberry Glades

The Cranberry Glades Botanical Area, a part of the Monongahela National Forest, protects the most extensive collection of peat bogs in West Virginia. The five boreal-type wetlands serve as the headwaters of the Cranberry River and are adjacent to the Cranberry Wilderness.

Cranberry Glades consists of five peat bogs spread between 750 acres whose plant and animal life is similar to that found in the muskegs of the more northern latitudes. The land, highly acidic, supports plants commonly found at higher latitudes, including bog rosemary, buckbean, cranberries, purple pitcher, skunk cabbage, sphagnum moss, and sundew.

Some of those species migrated to the West Virginia highlands during the last Ice Age. Due to the high elevation, the Glades serves as the southernmost home to many of the plant species.

The Cranberry Mountain Nature Center is a short hike or drive from the Glades, and features exhibits, an auditorium, regularly scheduled events and programs, a native plant garden, and a nature trail.

Resources

Cranberry Glades Botanical Area features a ½-mile fully-accessible boardwalk through two bogs. The entire Cranberry Glades area is traversed by the six-mile Cow Pasture Trail, which serves as a border between the Glades and the Cranberry Wilderness.

Official Website

  • From the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center at the junction of the Highland Scenic Highway (WV Route 150) and WV Routes 39 and 55, follow WV Routes 39 and 55 west for a ½ mile. Turn right onto Forest Road 102 and follow north for 1½ miles.
  • From Richwood, follow WV Routes 39 and 55 east for 21.2 miles.
  • Turn left onto Forest Road 102 and follow north for 1½ miles.
  • From US Route 219 at Mill Point, follow WV Routes 39 and 55 west for 7 miles.
  • Turn right onto Forest Road 102 and follow north for 1½ miles.

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