Cranberry Glades Botanical Area, West Virginia
If you would like to see one of the most unique eco-systems in West Virginia, visit the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area. This is a fascinating 750 acre preserved area that contains four different areas of bog wetlands. Spongy, thick peat covers the ground in these bogs, and many interesting and unique plants thrive in this highly acidic environment.Visitors will see many types of plants that typically grow only in northern areas of North America. A huge variety of mosses, grasses and shrubs thrive here, and of course you can see red cranberries at the Glades. Beautiful orchids and other flowers as well as extremely rare insect-eating plants grow in the bog wetlands. Ferns are widespread, and rare boreal plants can be seen here, as well. In addition to spotting fascinating plants, birding is a popular activity at the Cranberry Glades Botanical Area. You might also spot black bear or deer on your walk through the glades. The Cranberry Glades is a highly protected area, so visitors must take care to avoid stepping off trails, picking or touching plants and flowers, and disturbing wildlife.