About
Cranberry River — West Virginia's Quiet Monongahela Corner. From the Cranberry Glades through Pocahontas County, the Cranberry River runs 20 miles of Class I-II water at 180 CFS average through the Monongahela National Forest. The upper section from Cranberry Glades to Woodrow flows adjacent to the Cranberry Wilderness, designated in 1983, while the lower stretch from Woodrow to Richwood continues the gentle forest run downstream. Optimal flows range from 100 to 600 CFS on USGS gauge 03187500. Shawnee and Cherokee peoples used these borderlands before European settlement. Elk River Touring Center provides outfitting services for the river. The wilderness corridor keeps development minimal along the upper reaches, maintaining the forested character that defines this Appalachian headwater run.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.