Cranberry Glades Botanical Area - Richwood, West Virginia

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Visit the Wildlife at the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area. Richwood, West Virginia is a land of natural beauty. Many people come to see the wonderful diversity in the landscape as well as the wildlife. One of the most popular places to visit while in the area is the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area. It is the location of the largest area of bogs in all of the state. In fact, it includes four bogs.

Most bogs of this variety are found in the northern parts of the United States, as well as in Canada, so these bogs are very special.

When visiting Cranberry Glades, you may wish to stop by the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center first. The Center is home to a number of exhibits and audiovisual programs that will help to give you a better understanding of the bogs and the wildlife that inhabit them. You will also learn a bit about local history, as well as the importance of the bogs in the ecosystem.

While are the center you can also learn about some of the other local attractions and other areas to visit. Admission is free for all ages. From April to November the Center is open Thursday through Sunday from 9AM to 4:30PM, and from May through October, the center is open daily from 9AM to 4:30PM. The Center is closed from December 1 through March 31 although you can still see the bogs.

You can contact the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center and set up a guided tour of the bogs, or you can tour them on your own.

After visiting the Center, you will want to experience everything that the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area has to offer. You can get a great look at a huge array of plants and animals in the bogs. Some of the plants are quite rare, including three that are carnivorous.

The 750-acre botanical paradise is a great place for bird watchers, as well as photographers. Some of the birds that you might be lucky enough to see include Hermit Thrushes, Northern Harriers, and a variety of warblers.

Many other types of wildlife make the area their home as well, including black bears. The chance of seeing a bear in the wild here is quite high, but you need to remember not to approach or feed the bears no matter how friendly they appear. They are still wild animals.

Everyone with an appreciation for nature will love his or her time at the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area no matter how young or old you are.

Access to the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area is from Route 39/150 just north of the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center. From Route 150 take Forest Service Road 102 north approximately one mile.

Additional information is available during the summer months at the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center at (304)653-4826 and during the winter months at the Gauley Ranger District at (304)846-2695.