Cranberry Glades

Cranberry Glades are like a special secret garden hidden high up in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. They are found in a place called Pocahontas County. It's so high up, about 3,400 feet, that it feels like you're on top of the world! This amazing area is protected so we can all learn about its wonders. It's also where a river called the Cranberry River begins its journey.

The Glades are made up of five little bogs, which are wet, spongy places. They are like giant, natural sponges! These bogs are very acidic, which means they are a bit sour, like a lemon. This sourness helps special plants grow, like fuzzy sphagnum moss, stinky skunk cabbage, and even two kinds of plants that eat insects! They also have lots of yummy cranberries.

Some of the plants in Cranberry Glades are like little travelers who have journeyed from much colder places, like Canada! They are found here, way down south, because the Glades are so high and cool. You can find cranberries, sphagnum moss, and even two amazing plants that catch bugs: the purple pitcher plant and the sundew. These plants are like nature's tiny insect traps!

The Cranberry Glades are a special place for nature. It's a botanical area, which means it's a protected spot for plants. It's right next to a huge wild area called the Cranberry Wilderness, which is almost as big as 50,000 football fields! This whole area is a home for many unique plants and is the start of a river perfect for fishing.