What to See and Do in Spruce Knob, WV
Visit Highest Point in West Virginia to Hike, Fish, Boat, and Camp
May 8, 2009
Located in Pendleton County, Spruce Knob is the highest point in West Virginia at 4,863 feet. Part of the Monongahela National Forest, Spruce Knob is the summit of Spruce Mountain, the tallest of the Allegheny Mountains. Consisting of 100,000 acres, Spruce Knob offers many activities for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy while surrounded by the mountains of West Virginia.
Spruce Knob Summit
Situated atop Spruce Knob summit is the Spruce Knob Tower, a 900-foot observation tower that offers visitors a 360-degree view of the surrounding landscape, including Big, North Fork, Shenandoah, and Hunting Ground mountain ranges. Next to the observation tower parking lot, there are picnic tables and grills available to enjoy lunch while taking in the beautiful West Virginia mountain landscape.
The Whispering Spruce National Recreational Trail is a 0.5 mile loop that begins and ends at Spruce Snob summit. The trail provides an easy walk through blueberry and huckleberry bushes, mountain ash, and red spruce that are one-sided because of the strong westerly winds that blow year-round. During spring and summer months, beautiful blooming azaleas, mountain laurel, and rhododendron line the Whispering Spruce National Recreational Trail.
Spruce Knob Hiking Trails
There are approximately 70 miles of hiking trails located within Spruce Knob which offer visitors an opportunity to see West Virginia's scenic landscape, foliage, and various native wildlife such as white-tailed deer, wild turkey, songbirds, squirrels, and black bear. The terrain can be tricky to navigate on some of the hiking trails due to the rugged terrain and because snow is seen any time during the months of October through April.
Camping at Spruce Knob
Spruce Knob Lake Campground offers 43 camping sites and includes various amenities such as picnic tables, grills, solar-powered water pumps, and tent pads. While many of the camping sites can be reserved either online or via telephone, some of the camping sites located at Spruce Knob Lake Campground are on a first-come, first-serve basis, and campers can stay up to 14 days. Spruce Knob Lake Campground is open mid-April through December.
Fishing and Boating at Spruce Knob Lake
Spruce Knob Lake is regularly stocked with trout by the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources and to fish at Spruce Knob Lake, one must have a West Virginia Fishing License, a National Forest Stamp, and a trout stamp. The lake is easily accessible to boaters, and small boats are the best for boating on Spruce Knob Lake. Only electric motor boats are permitted.
While the summit of Spruce Knob and surrounding campsites and lake are accessible by car or truck, there is no road maintenance or snow removal during the winter months on the road leading to the summit, which can make for dangerous driving. The best times to visit Spruce Knob summit is during the spring through early fall months.
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