| Laurel Fork South Wilderness | |
|---|---|
 Overlook of Laurel Fork valley along Middle Mountain Road on a foggy fall day. | |
  Location of Laurel Fork South Wilderness in West Virginia | |
| Location | West Virginia, United States |
| Coordinates | 38°42′43″N79°43′07″W / 38.71194°N 79.71861°W /38.71194; -79.71861 |
| Area | 5,784 acres (23.41 km2)[2] |
| Established | 1983[2] |
| Operator | Monongahela National Forest |
| Website | Laurel Fork Wildernesses |
Laurel Fork South Wilderness is a U.S.Wilderness Area located in the Greenbrier Ranger District ofMonongahela National Forest inWest Virginia.[2] The Wilderness protects high-elevation lands alongLaurel Fork (Cheat River) and is bordered byMiddle Mountain to the west. It is a companion toLaurel Fork North Wilderness, the two being split by Randolph County Route 40. Laurel Fork South contains 9 miles (14 km) of hiking trails.[2]
The land that now comprises Laurel Fork South Wilderness was once private forestland owned by the Laurel River Lumber Company. The area was first logged by floating the logs down theLaurel Fork, and later by railroad. By 1921, the virgin forestland was fully logged. TheU.S. Forest Service acquired the area soon thereafter, adding it toMonongahela National Forest.[2]
Laurel Fork South and Laurel Fork North Wildernesses were designated in 1983 by the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia, Land Designations law.[2] Laurel Fork South was reduced by approximately 89 acres (0.36 km2) by theOmnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 to allow vehicle travel on Forest Road 424 in the eastern edge of the Wilderness.[3][4]