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Print Friendly MapThe Monongahela National Forest’s Otter Creek Wilderness has many trails, mostly for hiking through the scenic landscape of rhododendron, timber and mosses. Biking is prohibited on the trails, but horses are allowed in some areas.
The Otter Creek Trail, the most popular, follows an abandoned logging railroad grade along Otter Creek between Condon Run and the Dry Fork River. The trail is the spine of the system, offering direct connections to seven other hiking trails in the Otter Creek Wilderness.
The rugged trail offers spectacular views and a moderate to challenging hike. You will find yourself following large rock outcrops and peering through trees at roaring waterfalls. There are a number of stream crossings along its path and, depending on the season, some are quite significant, with fast, rushing water. With the exception of a very long, suspended footbridge over the Dry Fork tributary of the Cheat River toward the end of the trail, there are no bridges to aid your stream crossings.
Like all of the trails in the Otter Creek Wilderness, attention has been given to keeping this trail very primitive. There are no signs or blazes. However, confusing sections are marked with stone cairns. This rail-trail is not for the faint of heart, but it is worth the hike if you are up for a challenge.
Horseback riders are urged not to use the segment of the Otter Creek Trail between the Moore Run Trail and Green Mountain Trail; the trail is narrow through here and the drop-off steep. Equestrian users should instead take the Possession Camp Trail to bridge the gap.
The Monongahela National Forest’s Otter Creek Wilderness covers 20,000 acres in a bowl formed by Shavers and McGowan Mountains east of Elkins and south of Parsons. Because it is wilderness, bicycles are prohibited.
There are 45 miles of trails in the Otter Creek Wilderness, and the Otter Creek Trail connects with seven of them. These trails have intentionally been kept very primitive, so there are no signs or blazes, although potentially confusing sections are marked with stone cairns. Trail maintenance is kept to a minimum, so fallen trees remain where they land and water drains onto the trails, which can be muddy and overgrown. All stream crossings are by foot, except for the suspension bridge over Dry Fork at the northern trailhead. The trail is not recommended for wheelchair use.
The whole area was clear-cut from 1897 to 1914 by the Otter Creek Boom and Lumber Co. The Otter Creek Trail follows a railroad corridor used to haul that timber to sawmills. The rails were later removed, but you’ll likely see sections of railroad ties buried in the dirt. The forest has been healing since 1975, when Congress designated the area a US wilderness.
The trail roughly follows the course of Otter Creek downstream in a northward then eastward direction from Condor Run Trailhead in the south to Dry Fork Trailhead in the north. It descends about 1,600 feet along the 11.8-mile path. The trail is popular for day hikes from either trailhead or for backpacking to campsites off the trail.
Black bear, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, grouse, rabbit, and several types of squirrels inhabit these woods. Spruce are common at higher elevations, trending to black cherry and birch downhill. Apple trees are common around old logging camps.
Horseback riders are warned not to use the segment of the Otter Creek Trail between the Moore Run Trail and Green Mountain Trail; the trail is narrow through here with a steep drop. Equestrians should instead take the Possession Camp Trail to bridge the gap.
Bowden parking is available by the Condon Run Trailhead at end of FR 303, 0.6 mile north of Stuart Memorial Dr./Forest Road 91.
Parsons parking is available by the Dry Fork Trailhead on Dry Fork Road/WV 72, 4.5 miles south of US 48.
The Otter Creek Wilderness is located in the Cheat-Potomac Ranger District of the Monongahela National Forest in Tucker and Randolph counties. The gate on McGowan Mountain Road/Forest Road 324 at the boundary with the Fernow Experimental Forest is closed between April 15 and August 15.
To reach the Condon Run Trailhead, take Stuart Memorial Drive/FR 91 1.4 miles north of US 33/State Route 55; go right at the fork (FR 303). Trailhead parking is 0.6 mile away. The Dry Fork Trailhead is off Dry Fork Road/SR 72 southeast of Parsons.
Started from the north trailhead on a beautiful Mother's Day. Had the family, 10 yo, 14 yo, Mom and Dad. Crossed the bridge and started off. It was a little muddy at the start, need good boots or waterproof shoes. Also there were some downed trees to maneuver around and some small slopes up and down but quickly levels off. Nothing too difficult. Had fun on the many stream crossings, some flowing pretty good. Saw chipmunks, birds, and other wildlife. The snake along the trail gave us a thrill. We did see quite a few other families making a day of it. Had a picnic style lunch a couple of miles in. Hiked a couple more hours and turned back. This a beautiful and peaceful hike that is not too difficult. One of my favorite hikes. Hope to do some overnight camping there soon.
There are areas on the North end of this trail where you have impassable rhododendrons to your right, a muddy, treacherously narrow dirt trail, with a dangerous drop-off to the left. My wife slipped at one spot. This trail needs some serious work, and I do not recommend it.
The southern half of the trail is not nearly so bad, but it can get quite wet. Be prepared to slog through mud.
We hiked in from the Lower Trailhead just outside Parsons. As mentioned by a user, it starts out kind of rough after crossing the suspension bridge (This bridge is beautiful). The first 4-5 miles after that are okay, but there are places that I believe a Horse will not be able to navigate, if they made it past the first rough spot. Once the trail crosses Otter Creek with a mild ford (We went in August after a lot of rain the day or two prior) it becomes very overgrown with many logs to maneuver over/under. There is a spur trial around the 6th mile that you should take to avoid a few near washouts along the edge of the creek. This spur trail is pretty good, then you come back to the creek right by Otter Creek Falls. We camped a little ways above the falls in an established campsite.
Overall I rated this good as a backpacker trail. It is a bit rough and was overgrown in August, but there are wild blackberries along the entire trail. As far as horseback? I believe there are too many downed logs as well as tricky areas to maneuver the rocky slick trail.
It is real nice to see some of the old rail ties in a few areas. Many campsites along the way. I believe I will return next year!
Beautiful area, little tough going at start from lower end. Went about 3.5 miles up from swinging bridge. Flattens out after half mile or so and gets easier.
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