Richwood, WV Road Trips

Monongahela National Forest. Over 19,000 acres of forest spread across 10 counties in West Virginia; Richwood is in the southwestern corner of the forest, as is Marlinton in the southeast. 23 campgrounds, 17 picnic areas and over 500 miles of hiking trails. Mountain climbing, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, boating, wildlife viewing, birdwatching, big and small game hunting, and trout and fly fishingalong the Cherry River. Visitors can rent bicycles, skis or snowshoes. Cranberry Glades Botanical Area, route 150, +1 304-653-4826 or +1 304-636-1800 (ext 343), [1]. Protects the largest area of bogs in West Virginia. There's a half-mile boardwalk for walking and observation, and guided tours are given during the summer at 2 pm Saturday and Sunday. Cranberry Wilderness, 932 North Fork Cherry Road, +1 304-846-2695, [2]. Once an old-growth forest that was completely logged out by 1930, now a second-growth forest covering 35,864 acres. Approximately 60 miles of unmarked trails, wildlife including black bears (the area is part of a black bear sanctuary) and grouse, catch and release fishing. Cranberry Mountain Nature Center, junction of route 150 and route 39/55, +1 304-653-4826 or +1 304-636-1800 (ext 343). Open May-Oct: daily 9AM to 4:30PM; Apr-Nov: Th-Sa 9AM to 4:30PM; closed Dec-Mar. Offers information about the national forest, with an exhibit hall, audio-visual programs, live programs on birds of prey and indigenous snakes, as well as special programs and guided tours.

Feast of the Ramson, ☏ +1 304-846-6790. Richwood High School cafeteria. West Virginia's longest-running ramp festival, held in late April. Features a homemade ramp supper (over 2,000 pounds of ramps, along with ham, bacon, fried potatoes, pinto beans, cornbread, sassafras tea and cake) prepared by native Richwooders, arts and crafts, music, marathon and distance run. Cherry River Festival, 1/2 E Walnut Street, ☏ +1 304-846-6428. Held during a week in mid-August. Parade, food, live music and dancing, arts and crafts. Mountain Color Festival, +1 304-846-6790. Held during a week in early October. Art show, apple cider, apple butter making, crafts and craftmaking demonstrations, gospel singing.

Ramps are, of course, a local delicacy. If you don't come for the Feast of the Ramson, you can find them on the menu at C & S and Rails to Trails. Bright Spot Restaurant, Edgewood Avenue, +1 304-846-4066. C & S Restaurant, 46 Oakford Avenue, ☏ +1 304-846-2807. Open daily 6AM to 9PM. Home-cooked meals. Try the cornbread, potato soup and their homemade pies. Lumberjack Restaurant, 66 Dain Street, ☏ +1 304-846-6559. Rails to Trails Custard Stand, 761 Richwood Road, ☏ +1 304-846-9399. Try the ramp burgers - made from beef, ramps, egg and bacon - or a breakfast biscuit made with egg, sausage, potato and ramps.

Cranberry Mountain Get-A-Way, ☏ +1 304-846-6430. Four Seasons Lodge, 55 E Main Street, ☏ +1 304-846-4605, toll-free: +1-800-829-4605. 27 rooms, efficiency apartments, 1 cabin, 1 working farmhouse. Fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, washer and dryer. Outfitting store on-site. Lodge $46 - 56, efficiency $125 - 150, cabin $175 (1 night), farmhouse $350 (2 nights). Mountaineer Motel, ☏ +1 304-846-2020. Summit Lake Campground, Forest Road 77 off WV-39/55, ☏ +1 304-846-2695. 33 campsites. Hiking, mountain biking, boating and trout fishing. $8.

Richwood is located on WV-39 in the eastern corner of Nicholas County, between Summersville and Marlinton.

Be careful during winter; roads in this part of the state aren't always cleared during winter, and can be impassable even for four-wheel-drive vehicles.