Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States West Virginia Riverton Spruce Knob
AO Edited

Spruce Knob

Near-constant high winds deform the trees on Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia.

Riverton, West Virginia

Added By
Thomas Harper
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
  Monongahela National Forest/Public Domain
  Jarek Tuszyński/CC-BY-SA-3.0
Spruce Knob Observation Tower   thomasharper / Atlas Obscura User
Scenic sunset from the summit of Spruce Knob.   somadjinn / Atlas Obscura User
Scenic twilight trail from the summit of Spruce Knob.   somadjinn / Atlas Obscura User
Trees at the summit of Spruce Knob   Chris M Morris/CC BY 2.0
  Monongahela National Forest/Public Domain
A windswept red spruce   Jarek Tuszyński/CC-BY-SA-3.0
  Deniseg2266 / Atlas Obscura User
  Deniseg2266 / Atlas Obscura User
The alpine-like view of Spruce Knob   Wonderer84 on Wiki
  Deniseg2266 / Atlas Obscura User
  Deniseg2266 / Atlas Obscura User
  Deniseg2266 / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Located within the Monongahela National Forest, Spruce Knob is the tallest peak in West Virginia at 4,863 feet above sea level. From atop this rugged mountaintop, you can look out across forested ridges dotted with grassy clearings and pastures below.

This part of the Appalachian Mountains began to form more than 500 million years ago when the supercontinent Pangea began to break up into smaller pieces. The land that surrounds Spruce Mountain is a relic boreal forest, similar to those you might find in northern New England and Canada. In winter, over 180 inches of snow on average cover the mountaintop, making nearby roads impassable from late autumn through spring.

High winds are common year-round, and their effects can be seen in the flora atop Spruce Knob. Constant exposure to strong westerly winds has left the spruce trees that gave the peak its name clinging to the rock, with branches on just their east sides. 

West Virginia Forest Road 104 runs up the mountain to a parking lot with picnic (and rustic restroom) facilities, and it's a quick walk to the observation tower at the summit for a wide view of the surrounding Allegheny Mountains.  There is also a short (half a mile) gravel nature walk around the summit, beginning and ending at the parking lot.

Related Tags

Geographic Markers State High Points Flora Plants Appalachia Geology

Know Before You Go

In the area there are multiple road signs directing you to Spruce Knob. From Seneca Rocks, WV, go south on US Route 33. Past the town of Riverton, turn right on Briery Gap Road, then follow it to Forest Road 112. Turn left and follow 112 to Forest Road 104. Follow 104 to the summit parking lot. There are no fees/charges for any aspect of this visit.

Community Contributors

Added By

thomasharper

Edited By

Rachel, rugby007, somadjinn, Michelle Cassidy...

  • Rachel
  • rugby007
  • somadjinn
  • Michelle Cassidy
  • Deniseg2266

Published

May 28, 2013

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spruce_Knob
  • http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/mnf/recreation/recarea/?recid=7053
  • http://www.summitpost.org/spruce-knob/150796
Spruce Knob
Spruce Knob Trail
Riverton, West Virginia, 26814
United States
38.699836, -79.532828
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata

Circleville, West Virginia

miles away

Glady Tunnel

Bowden, West Virginia

miles away

Smoke Hole Caverns

Cabins, West Virginia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of West Virginia

West Virginia

United States

Places 106
Stories 10

Nearby Places

Nelson Rocks Via Ferrata

Circleville, West Virginia

miles away

Glady Tunnel

Bowden, West Virginia

miles away

Smoke Hole Caverns

Cabins, West Virginia

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of West Virginia

West Virginia

United States

Places 106
Stories 10

Related Stories and Lists

The Highest Places in America

List

By Meg Neal

The Summit Scaling Subculture of Highpointing

geographic markers

By Thomas Harper

Related Places

  • The dominance of ferns reveals the fragile mini-ecosystem on the north slope of Fern Ridge.

    Elkader, Iowa

    Fern Ridge Unit

    This tiny site in Iowa, part of a patchwork national wildlife refuge, is home to ancient flora and fauna.

  • Cedars of Lebanon State Park

    Lebanon, Tennessee

    Cedars of Lebanon State Park

    This park contains one of the largest concentrations of cedar glades, a unique and rare ecosystem.

  • Trollskogen

    Borgholm, Sweden

    Trollskogen (The Troll Forest)

    Crooked windswept pines give this old forest an enchanted and magical look.

  • Râpa Roșie.

    Municipiul Sebeș, Romania

    Râpa Roșie

    Romania's "Red Ravine" is a little-known natural wonder that bears a resemblance to the Grand Canyon.

  • Maitara Island and Tidore Island seen from Ternate.

    Ternate, Indonesia

    Ternate Island

    The remote island home of the overlooked explorer who co-discovered the theory of evolution by natural selection.

  • The rose garden.

    Panajachel, Guatemala

    Atitlan Antique Rose Garden

    A collection of heirloom roses tucked in a spectacularly beautiful botanical garden on Lake Atitlan.

  • Mud Volcano

    Scorțoasa, Romania

    Berca Mud Volcanoes

    A muddy alien landscape that is home to rare species of exotic plants.

  • Part of Providence Canyon from rim near entrance road

    Lumpkin, Georgia

    Providence Canyon State Outdoor Recreation Area

    Bad farming practices caused this unnatural natural wonder.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.