The Cranberry Glades Botanical Area protects the largest area of bogs in West Virginia. Bogs are acidic wetlands more commonly found in the northern areas of this country and Canada. The ground in a bog is spongy and consists largely of partially decayed plant material known as peat. Because of it’s unique conditions, some unusual plants grow in bogs, including carnivorous or insect eating plants.

The Cranberry Glades consists of four bogs whose plant and animal life is similar to that found in the bogs or “Muskegs” of the north. This life spread southward with changing climatic conditions that allowed glaciers to creep across the northern part of our continent. Several species ended their migration here, and the Cranberry Glades are now the southern -most point in North America where some of these life forms are found.

The Cranberry Glades are a 750 acre National Natural Landmark. To protect this fragile area, a half-mile long barrier-free boardwalk has been constructed for visitor use. Also remember not to disturb any of the plantlife and stay on the boardwalk. Many of these unique plants are desended from seeds that took root here 10,000 years ago. With your help, they will continue to live here, making the Cranberry Glades a special place to visit for a long time to come.

For more information on the area: http://fs.usda.gov/mnf