West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest is a magical place that encompasses 921,000 acres. You’ll find a rich, varied landscape here that includes everything from thick forests, highland bogs, and barren desert slopes. Explore the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center in Richwood to explore a fairytale boardwalk that takes you right through a cranberry bog.
The Cranberry Glades Botanical Area is a truly special place. This 750-acre area includes a large bog situated in a valley surrounded by mountains.
rjcox/flickr You’ll find it just one mile north of the junction of Route 150 and Route 39/150. Take Forest Service Road 102. Address: Hillsboro, WV, 24946
Some of the plants and animals you’ll see here are more typical of the tundra in the far north than they are here in West Virginia, and the boardwalk trail takes you right through all of it.
Jessica Kennedy/Alltrails
The half-mile boardwalk is a suitable stroll for just about everyone. The path is flat and easy to navigate, and it’s wheel-chair accessible.
Rob Rhodes/Google
It takes you through the open bog…
GoneOnTravel/Tripadvisor
…and past some more swampy areas.
James C Reynolds/Google
Hemlock, red spruce, and yellow birch trees line the path in some spots. It’s like walking through a canopy.
krblokhin/Getty Images
You’ll see all kinds of foliage here, including the cranberries for which the area is named.
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Wildflowers of all kinds line the path. Watch for butterflies, bees, and even hummingbirds feeding on them.
Jason Homey/Tripadvisor
Keep an eye out for wildlife, too! In addition to all kinds of birds, you might spot white-tailed deer, red foxes, squirrels, and even black bears.
CDMVaBeach/Tripadvisor
You’ll notice that many of the trees here have very shallow roots that lie mostly above ground. They’ve adapted to this environment, but because their root system is so shallow, they often fall over in high winds.
Stephanie Frame/Google
You’ll want to stroll this boardwalk in all four seasons to see how the bog changes throughout the year. It starts to get some wildflowers in the spring…
Terry Moore/Google
…and it’s a lush, green landscape in the summer.
Stephen Wilson/Alltrails
Autumn brings plenty of rich colors to the glades…
Jessica Kennedy/Alltrails
…and the winter landscape is magical.
krblokhin/Getty Images
The Cranberry Glades Boardwalk is open year-round, and there’s no charge to visit.
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Make sure to stop by the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center, too! It’s located just down the road at the junction of Route 150 and Route 39/55.
Cranberry Mountain Nature Center/Facebook
Have you visited the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center? Tell our readers about your trip in the comments section! For more information about the center, visit its page on the U.S. Forest Service website.
rjcox/flickr
You’ll find it just one mile north of the junction of Route 150 and Route 39/150. Take Forest Service Road 102. Address: Hillsboro, WV, 24946
Jessica Kennedy/Alltrails
Rob Rhodes/Google
GoneOnTravel/Tripadvisor
James C Reynolds/Google
krblokhin/Getty Images
Scharfsinn86/Getty Images
Jason Homey/Tripadvisor
CDMVaBeach/Tripadvisor
Stephanie Frame/Google
Terry Moore/Google
Stephen Wilson/Alltrails
ablokhin/Getty Images
Cranberry Mountain Nature Center/Facebook
If you’re looking for more beautiful places to explore nature in West Virginia, check out this emerald waterfall that’s too beautiful for words.
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