West Virginia is wild in the best way. We did our first backpacking trip in the Monongahela National Forest and it completely changed how we think about the East Coast. This state has wilderness areas that feel genuinely remote - dense forests, river crossings, and miles without seeing another person. Wild and wonderful is right.
The Monongahela National Forest covers nearly a million acres of the Allegheny Mountains in eastern West Virginia. This is where you come for genuine wilderness — remote ridgelines, pristine streams, and trails that can go miles without another soul. Part of our <a href="/states/west-virginia">West Virginia hiking guide</a>.
ChallengingA backpacking route through the Otter Creek Wilderness following the creek through a remote forested valley with multiple creek crossings, backcountry campsites, and total immersion in one of the wildest areas on the East Coast. Best done as an overnight or multi-day trip.