Otter Creek Wilderness, National wilderness area in Randolph and Tucker Counties, United States.
Otter Creek Wilderness is a protected mountain area with thick hardwood forests and streams running throughout more than 20,000 acres. The terrain sits between two major ridges and offers over 40 miles of trails that mostly follow old railroad grades.
The land was purchased by forest management in the early 1900s and later officially designated as a protected wilderness. This change ended commercial logging and allowed the forest to recover naturally.
The old-growth forest on Shavers Mountain shows what the landscape looked like before significant logging, with spruce and hemlock trees that have stood here for generations. For many people in West Virginia, this natural forest represents an important part of local heritage.
The trails are straightforward to follow, but you need to be careful when crossing streams, especially during rain or snowmelt. Wearing proper footwear and being ready for sudden water levels is important.
The area sits in a natural valley between two mountains, which creates a special microclimate zone. This geographic shape supports rich plant life and different forest zones at varying elevations.
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