Description: "At Cranesville Swamp, the elements of wind, water, mountains and temperature have created a landscape that is both beautiful and rare. In combination, these climactic elements have produced a natural occurrence known as a “frost pocket”—an area where the surrounding hills capture moisture and cold air that conspire to create a landscape more reminiscent of habitat found much further north in Canada. As weather travels west-to-east across North America, the hills surrounding Cranesville Swamp channel precipitation and chilled air into the valley, which make the preserve one of the coolest and soggiest spots in West Virginia." - Nature Conservancy Website
Use: Hiking, Bird watching, NO PETS, MOTORIZED VEHICLES, CAMPING OR FIRES.
Difficulty: Easy with no major elevation changes, but expect uneven and/or wet ground in places. The swamp is best for photos in the early morning or evening.
Directions: 11.1 miles, 22 minutes from Visitors Center Drive; turn right onto Deep Creek Drive 0.1 mile, turn left onto Sang Run Rd 2.2 miles, turn left to stay on Sang Run Rd 89 feet, turn left to stay on Sang Run Rd 5.5 miles, turn left onto Cranesville Rd 2.6 miles, turn right onto Lake Ford Rd .5 mile, stay right until parking area.
Get directions to the trail head on Google Maps
Resource Links:
Use: Hiking, Bird watching, NO PETS, MOTORIZED VEHICLES, CAMPING OR FIRES.
Difficulty: Easy with no major elevation changes, but expect uneven and/or wet ground in places. The swamp is best for photos in the early morning or evening.
Directions: 11.1 miles, 22 minutes from Visitors Center Drive; turn right onto Deep Creek Drive 0.1 mile, turn left onto Sang Run Rd 2.2 miles, turn left to stay on Sang Run Rd 89 feet, turn left to stay on Sang Run Rd 5.5 miles, turn left onto Cranesville Rd 2.6 miles, turn right onto Lake Ford Rd .5 mile, stay right until parking area.
Get directions to the trail head on Google Maps
Resource Links:
- Nature Conservancy Cranesville Swamp Page
- Maryland DNR Natural Area Guide to Cranesville Swamp
