Blue Bend Rec Area

Summary

Blue Bend Recreation Area is located in Monongahela National Forest, a million acre forest with many attractions. This quaint wooded area offers plenty of hiking, picnicking, camping and swimming opportunities, as well as access to the BIg Draft Wilderness. Visitors will find rustic wood tables, shelters and campsites, as well as flush toilets and showers in summer. Wildlife such as black bear, coyote, wild turkey, white-tailed deer, and much more can often be seen during a visit.

Overview

Blue Bend Recreation Area is a quaint wooded area filled with plenty of hiking, picnicking and camping opportunities. Constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the rustic wood tables and shelters appeal to many day and overnight visitors.

The recreation area, along Anthony Creek, has a selection of single family campsites and 2 picnic shelters. The large group picnic shelter accommodates 75 people and can be reserved in peak season.

Recreation

Swimming is nice and refreshing in Anthony Creek, and anglers can find trout here. The Blue Bend Recreation Area provides access to the BIg Draft WIlderness.  A popular excursion into the wilderness is the 5-mile Blue Bend Loop Trail, which connects to the Anthony Creek Trail. Blue Bend Loop Trail offers 3 scenic overlooks.

Facilities

Flush toilets and showers are available in summer, and vault toilets can be used through the spring and fall seasons. Running water is also seasonal, but a hand pump is available through spring and fall.

Each site is on a parking spur with a picnic table, campfire ring, trash bin and lantern post.

Natural Features

At an elevation of 1,860 feet, the campground is in a pleasant, wooded valley facing Round Mountain in the Monongahela National Forest. The forest comprises about a million acres of forest that attracts 1.3 million visitors each year.

A variety of animals make their home here, including black bear, coyote, wild turkey, white-tailed deer, red and gray fox, bobcat, fisher, otter and mink.

Nearby Attractions