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Welcome to Rattlesnake Country. The timber rattlesnake is the state reptile of West Virginia and mirrors the state鈥檚 rugged history in the wild Appalachian terrain. Much like the rattlesnake鈥檚 formidable nature, West Virginia鈥檚 past is marked by grit and survival, from the coal mines to its fight for independence during the Civil War. Both symbolize a spirit that endures: untamed, proud, and deeply tied to the mountains that define them. The timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) is the only species of rattlesnake that lives in the seven most rattlesnake-infested areas in the Mountain State.

Monongahela National Forest

The Monongahela National Forest is in the Allegheny Mountains, encompassing nearly one million acres of sprawling, picturesque landscapes. It is noteworthy for its remarkable transformation from a heavily deforested, environmentally degraded, and overly exploited resource in the early 20th century to a lush, biodiverse forest hub for tourism, recreation, and conservation. Several other national forests in the U.S. have also significantly recovered, including the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina, White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire, and Coconino National Forest in Arizona.

The forest is truly a nature lover鈥檚 paradise, attracting over one million outdoor enthusiasts to its 800+ miles of trails, stunning lakes and rivers, and diverse wildlife. These enthusiasts refer to the forest as simply 鈥渢he Mon.鈥� The forest is home to timber rattlesnakes, the state鈥檚 official snake. These snakes are protected in West Virginia, making killing them illegal. Crotalus horridus is among the larger species of rattlesnakes in North America. Despite their impressive appearance, they are generally shy and avoid humans. Hikers and mountain bikers who encounter a rattlesnake in the forest should step back, as the non-aggressive snakes typically only strike if they feel threatened.

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in southern West Virginia stretches alongside the New River, one of the oldest rivers in the 海角社区. The park spans over 70,000 acres of the Appalachian Mountains, which are known for their rugged terrain, deep river gorges, and lush forests. There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts in the park, including hiking along the many park trails or biking along rail trails that are repurposed portions of the iconic railroads that once connected the remote coal-rich region to the rest of the United States.

The New River Gorge National Park is a top destination for whitewater rafting enthusiasts, with fun excursions for less experienced paddlers on the Upper New River. In contrast, the Lower New River Gorge features rough rapids with ranges of difficulty requiring maneuvering through strong currents, crosscurrents, and hydraulics. The park, nicknamed 鈥淭he New,鈥� is also one of the most popular rock climbing areas in the U.S., with over 1,400 established rock climbs on cliffs made up of very hard sandstone that range from 30 to 120 feet in height. Most routes are for advanced or expert climbers. Active visitors to the park should be on the lookout for timber rattlers near rocky outcroppings and forested trails.

Dolly Sods Wilderness

The Dollys Sods Wilderness is a unique high-altitude plateau located within the Monongahela National Forest, known for its striking landscape of open meadows, wind-swept heath barrens, and stunted red spruce forests. Its distinctive ecosystem is more like Canada鈥檚, with elevations from 2,500 to 4,700 feet, meaning snow can fly 6 months a year, so hikers should be prepared for rapidly changing weather patterns. Wildlife and photography enthusiasts are in luck at Dolly Sods. Thanks to its northern-like climate, the area is the unlikely home of snowshoe hares and beavers, as well as white-tailed deer, bears, bobcats, and timber rattlesnakes. Visitors exploring the rugged terrain should watch for the rattlers basking on rocks.

There are a few must-see areas for nature seekers in Dolly Sods, like its centerpiece, Red Creek, famed for its deep red color, which is a result of tannin from the red spruce at its head and along its tributaries. A popular in-and-out day hike or multi-day hike is Lion鈥檚 Head Rock, which gets its name because it looks like the profile of a lion鈥檚 head.

Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge

The Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge comprises almost 20,000 acres of unique wetlands, bogs, forests, and mountains, and cooler temperatures reminiscent of Maine and the Canadian provinces of Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. It is a well-known destination for fans of flora and fauna, with more than 580 species of plants and an estimated 290 species of mammals, birds, amphibians, fish, and reptiles like the timber rattlesnake calling the refuge home. For birders, it鈥檚 a birding hotspot, and the refuge hosts monthly guided 2 to 3-mile bird and blooming wildflower walks.

For visitors hoping to spend more time in the refuge, the nearby Canaan Valley Resort State Park is a four-season destination with opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, and skating in the winter and golf, hiking, and biking in the summer.

Blackwater Falls State Park

Blackwater Falls State Park gets its name from the dark amber-colored water of its scenic 57-foot waterfall, tinted by tannic acid from hemlock and red spruce needles. It is a popular park for photography buffs visiting Pendleton Point Overlook, Lindy Point, and Elakala Falls, a series of four magnificent waterfalls whose waters dour over stagged rocks like steps. To see more waterfalls in the state, visitors should download a free West Virginia Waterfall Trail passport and traipse across the state looking for them.

Hiking is a popular activity in the park, but there鈥檚 also a lodge, cabins, and a 65-site state campground for travelers who can鈥檛 get enough of this picturesque state park. Timber rattlesnakes may be encountered in the park鈥檚 more remote wooded areas, as the park is a gateway to the backcountry of the Monongahela National Forest.

Seneca Rocks

Seneca Rocks is one of the most iconic natural landmarks in the Mountain State, located in the Monongahela National Forest. Named after the Seneca Indians, who used the area for hunting and fishing, today, 鈥淭he Rocks鈥� is a sought-after destination for rock climbing, hiking, and bird watching, with the cliffs home to nesting peregrine falcons. During 海角社区 War II, Seneca Rocks were used as a training ground for the U.S. Army to train soldiers in alpine combat techniques, and old shell casings have occasionally been found in the forest.

Simply saying that timber rattlesnakes are found in the Monongahela National Forest doesn鈥檛 do justice to its immense size and diversity. So, it鈥檚 important to note that there are rattlesnake hotspots in the forest, like Seneca Rocks. With its rocky plateaus, dense forests, and open meadows, rattlesnakes may be spotted on sunny, south-facing slopes, basking in the sun of the Seneca Rocks. Trail walkers should watch where they walk, and climbers should pay attention to where they put their hands.

Cranberry Glades

The Cranberry Glades Botanical Area is a wilderness area within the Monongahela National Forest, designated to protect the state's largest bog, which is 750 acres. This unique ecosystem of sphagnum bogs, mirroring the Arctic tundra, is a haven for naturalists. The Glades is home to over 60 plants, including carnivorous ones like the sundew and purple pitcher. Known for its seclusion and miles of hiking trails, it鈥檚 a habitat for timber rattlesnakes.

Visitors can start at the Cranberry Mountain Nature Center to access the interpretative trails, including a half-mile-long boardwalk through two bogs. There are short films in the auditorium on topics like Smokey the Bear, wildflowers, and the highlights in the Monongahela, which are perfect for families. The center offers free programs on snakes of West Virginia, including a popular program, 鈥淪nakes of West Virginia.鈥� There鈥檚 a permanent display of live snakes inside the nature center, and native timber rattlesnakes have been featured in the center periodically before being released back into the wild.

West Virginia鈥檚 diverse landscapes, from rugged mountains to dense forests and wetlands, provide ideal habitats for timber rattlesnakes鈥攖he state reptile. These shy rattlers thrive in environments such as the rocky slopes of Seneca Rocks, the wind-swept plateaus of Dolly Sods, and the secluded bogs of Cranberry Glades. Commonly spotted basking on sunny trails or rock outcroppings, timber rattlesnakes are a testament to the state鈥檚 unique blend of biodiversity and natural beauty. Visitors to these seven most rattlesnake-infested areas should exercise caution, stay on trails, and watch for snakes near rocks, logs, and sunny clearings. If visitors are fortunate enough to spot a timber rattlesnake in the wilds of West Virginia, always respect these protected species from a distance and move on.