Morgan Monroe State Forest

About Morgan Monroe State Forest

The original settlers in the area cleared and tried to build on the ridges, but were frustrated because the rocky soils were unsuitable for agriculture. In 1929, the state bought the eroded and abandoned land to create the Morgan Monroe State Forest. The forest in this area is forested with some of the most beautiful hardwood forests in our state and includes many steep mountain ranges and valleys.

Draper Cabin is a primitive log cabin with wooden floors that takes visitors 100 years back in time, with electricity, vehicles and modern sanitary facilities. The cabin can be rented daily in winter, depending on weather conditions, or you can click here to see a full list of cottages in the Morgan Monroe State Forest.

MasonRidge Campground, located near the fire tower north of the Forest Service, has lawns and seasonal drinking water. The original camping is possible for a fee, but campers must register for camping at the forest office.

All 21 campsites have picnic tables and barbecues, and overflow camping is available at Oak Ridge Campground on busy weekends. The Oak Oak has had a great year - all camping season, with over 1,000 campers last year.

Scout Ridge youth campground is available to Scouts and other groups, and the Scouts' Ridge Nature Preserve is located in the area. The campsites at Scout - RidgeCampground are larger than normal campsites, but there are several picnic tables and barbecues available.

Boat moorings are located at Bryants Creek and Cherry Lakes, but boat engines are limited to electric motors only. Morgan Mountain State Park's brook and creek areas are open for fishing, and a valid fishing license is required.

Hikers are advised to wear hunting orange or light coloured clothing on hiking trails during hunting season. A valid hunting license is required for hunting in the Morgan Mountain State Park brooks and streams and for fishing in Cherry Lakes.

Several picnic areas and picnic shelters are available for daily use, with picnic accommodations in the picnic area of Morgan Mountain State Park on the west side of the park. Walls Picnic Shelter is located at the northern end of Cherry Lakes, south of Morgan Lake. Picnic accommodations are located near Cherry Lake, about 3.5 miles from the creek.

All accommodations are provided on the basis of the First - come, first - service, reservations are not accepted. Picnic baskets are free to use, but picnic huts near Beanblossom Lake are closed in the summer months due to heavy snowfall and other conditions.

The following paths lead from Mason Ridge Camp of the Forestry Department and the forest is located on the east side of the road, just east of Beanblossom Lake. The numbered tree piles are marked on maps by the Agriculture Department and marked with a numbered pile for their species.

The forest is accessible from the east side of the road, east of Beanblossom Lake and west of Mason Ridge Camp.

Hiking trails are located on the east side of the road, east of Beanblossom Lake and west of Mason Ridge Camp. A hiking map of Morgan Mountain State Forest and its trails can be picked up at the edge of the trail at the forest entrance.

For a detailed map of the hinterland, register with the Forestry Department or buy a topographical map of Hindustan Quad or get it from the Morgan Mountain State Forest website. There are no camping fees, but the trails are in the Back Country Area, a rugged hinterland area on the east side of Morgan Ridge Road. The rugged paths lead back to Low Gap Road, where camping with backpacks is prohibited.