Cranberry Campground
A popular semi-primitive campground adjacent to the Cranberry River. This campground receives very high use during trout stocking from the beginning of spring through the end of June and again in the fall from September through October. During these high use times there are usually more campers waiting than there are sites available. During high use, the centrally located Bishop Knob Campground can usually accommodate campers when no sites are available along the Cranberry or Williams River Corridors.
More like this: reservable in West Virginia · pets allowed in West Virginia
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 26 |
| Walk-in | 2 |
Site guide
28 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Standard | Back-in | 46 | Gravel | None | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 23 | Walk-in | 28 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 24 | Walk-in | 28 | Gravel | Partial | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard | |
| 25 | Standard | Back-in | 80 | Gravel | None | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 26 | Standard | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | None | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 27 | Standard | Back-in | 62 | Gravel | None | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 28 | Standard | Back-in | 46 | Gravel | None | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 29 | Standard | Back-in | 48 | Gravel | None | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 30 | Standard | Back-in | 47 | Gravel | None | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
| 35 | Standard | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | None | No / – | 8 / 2 | Yes | Standard |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 04:00 PM, checkout 02:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | $15 single sites; $30 double sites |
Cranberry campground has is comprised of 30 campsites in an open setting near the Cranberry River. There are vault toilets, trash receptacles and a hand pump for water. At each campsite you will find a gravel parking spur, picnic tables, lantern post, and fire ring.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | Early-April to end of November |
| Forest | Monongahela National Forest |
| Fees | Camping fee Single Site - $10/night. Walk-in Single (#23 & #24) - $10/night. Double Sites - $20/night |
| Rules | Maximum length of stay is 14 days. Check-out time is 2:00 p.m. Dogs are permitted if on a leash at all times. Leash must be 6 ft. or shorter. Food storage order applies to pet food also. Single site limit is one wheeled camping unit only, defined as motorhome or travel trailer; no more than 8 people; no more than 2 vehicles. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Richwood travel on mile east on State Route 39/55, then 12.5 miles north on Forest Road 76. From Dyer on State Route 46 take Forest Road 101 approximately 6 miles, then left onto Forest Road 76 for one mile.
| Nearest town | Richwood, West Virginia |
| Coordinates | 38.3252° N, 80.4417° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedArrowhead Trails Rx
39 mi from the campground · 195 acres
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Appalachian Sport ↗ | 20 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 24.6 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Cranberry Lake DEC Campground Review
Trails nearby
- 0.2 miNorth-South Trail ↗16 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.3 miLick Branch2.1 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.9 miBishop Knob Loop Trail2.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3 miCranberry Ridge Trail ↗5.9 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3 miAdkins Rockhouse Trail2.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 3.2 miBarrenshe Trail ↗4.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Cranberry Wilderness begins about 2.4 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 2.4 miCranberry Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 47,742 acres
- 3.2 miGeorge Washington and Jefferson National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,487,961 acres
- 4.6 miMonongahela National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 1,703,725 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Morton HouseBuilding · Webster Springs · 10.6 mi
- Beaver MillBuilding · Craigsville · 12.1 mi
Natural features
The Cranberry River is within walking distance as is the Cranberry Wilderness.
Recreation
Trout fishing in the adjacent Cranberry River. A valid West Virginia State Fishing License is required, along with a National Forest stamp, a Conservation stamp, and a trout stamp. Check state fishing regulations for special Cranberry River Fishing Areas.
Nearby
Cranberry River, Cranberry Wilderness, and Cranberry Mountain Nature Center.
Guidebooks for Monongahela National Forest and West Virginia
We earn a small commission if you buy through these links. It does not change what we list.
- Five-Star Trails: West Virginia's Monongahela National ForestJohnny Molloy, 2022Find at Bookshop.org
Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Cranberry Campground?
Sites at Cranberry Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Cranberry Campground?
$15 single sites; $30 double sites
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Cranberry Campground?
Check-in 04:00 PM, checkout 02:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Cranberry Campground open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Early-April to end of November.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Cranberry Campground have?
28 sites, including 26 standard sites without power and 2 walk-in sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Cranberry Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cranberry Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Cranberry Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Maximum length of stay is 14 days.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Cranberry Campground?
Trout fishing in the adjacent Cranberry River. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Cranberry Campground?
Richwood, West Virginia. Cranberry River, Cranberry Wilderness, and Cranberry Mountain Nature Center.
Source: Getting there
What if Cranberry Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Bishop Knob (2.7 mi), Cranberry River Campsites (4.5 mi), and Big Rock (4.9 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby