Richwood (West Virginia)

• Monongahela National ForestOver 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), . 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, . 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 daily 9 am to 4:30 pm, May through October; 9 am to 4:30 pm Thursday through Sunday, April and November; closed December through March. 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.

• Falls of Hill Creek, 5 miles west of the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center on route 55, +1 304-653-4826 in summer or +1 304-846-2695 in winter, . A 114-acre gorge with three waterfalls (25 feet, 45 feet, and 63 feet) - the highest of which is West Virginia's second-tallest waterfall - viewable from a 3/4-mile trail. The area also has lots of wildflowers in spring.

Events

• Feast of the Ramson

  phone: +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

  address: 1/2 E Walnut Street
  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.

• G & N Ramp Farm Specialties, +1 304-846-4235. Pickled ramps, dehydrated ramps and ramp salt.

• Woodbine James and Jellies

  address: 16 Spruce Street
  Homemade jams, jellies and fruit butters.

• Bright Spot Restaurant, Edgewood Avenue, +1 304-846-4066.

• C & S Restaurant

  address: 46 Oakford Avenue
  Open daily 6 am to 9 pm. Home-cooked meals. Try the cornbread, potato soup and their homemade pies.

• Lumberjack Restaurant

  address: 66 Dain Street

• Rails to Trails Custard Stand

  address: 761 Richwood Road
  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

  phone: +1 304-846-6430

• Four Seasons Lodge

  phone: +1 304-846-4605
  address: 55 E Main Street
  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

  phone: +1 304-846-2020

• Summit Lake Campground

  address: Forest Road 77 off WV-39/55
  33 campsites. Hiking, mountain biking, boating and trout fishing. $8.

• Summersville is about 40 minutes west on WV-39.
• Marlinton is about 50 minutes east on WV-39.