Highland Scenic Highway Forest Road 39
Remote forest road with technical creek crossings.
Forest Road 39 branches off the Highland Scenic Highway into some of the most remote country in the Monongahela National Forest, where logging roads carved through these mountains decades ago still challenge modern 4x4s. The route starts near Cranberry Glades and winds through dense spruce forests toward Tea Creek, crossing multiple unnamed tributaries that can turn nasty after heavy rains. The old bridge over Tea Creek washed out years back, leaving a technical rock-and-gravel ford that’s claimed more than a few oil pans.
This is moderate to difficult territory requiring high-clearance 4WD with skid plates — the creek crossings and loose rock sections will test your vehicle’s approach angles. Best tackled from late spring through early fall when water levels drop, though mud holes stay soft well into summer. No permits needed, but fuel up in Marlinton before heading in. You’ll earn solitude in some of the wildest country left in West Virginia, with dispersed camping opportunities along the upper reaches where cell service disappears completely.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt |
| Features | Camping, Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 14 mi / 22.5 km |
| Duration | Half day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3800 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with skid plates |
| Nearest town | Marlinton, WV |
| Land manager | Monongahela National Forest |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle Forest Road 39?
A stock high-clearance 4WD with skid plates is the minimum — this isn't the trail for a lifted Outback or AWD crossover. Skid plates matter here because the creek crossings have rocky approaches that will punish unprotected underbellies.
When does Forest Road 39 actually open after winter?
Best window is May through October. West Virginia winters hit the Monongahela hard — snow, ice, and mud can make FR39 impassable or gated well into spring, so don't count on access before late April and always verify with the Monongahela National Forest before heading out.
Do you need a permit or is there a fee to run this road?
No permit required and no fee to drive FR39 — it's Monongahela National Forest, so dispersed camping is free under standard national forest rules. Keep camps 100 feet from water sources and pack out everything.
How technical are the creek crossings and what's the hardest part of the trail?
The creek crossings are the crux — rocky bottoms, variable depth depending on recent rainfall, and no bridges. In high water after heavy rain they can get genuinely sketchy; walk them before you drive them. The approaches are uneven enough that a locker helps but isn't mandatory in dry conditions.
There's zero cell service out here — how far is the nearest fuel and help if something goes wrong?
Marlinton is your last stop for gas, roughly 10-15 miles from the trailhead — fill up before you go. With no cell service on the entire 14-mile route, a satellite communicator like a Garmin inReach is not optional, it's common sense.
Trail track
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