2011 Map of Spruce Knob

About this map

Spruce Knob dominates this high-altitude section of the Allegheny Mountains, serving as the highest point in the state. The landscape is defined by the sharp verticality of the Spruce Mountain ridge and the deep drainages of Seneca Creek and the North Fork South Branch Potomac River. While the terrain is dominated by forest and federal recreation lands, the small settlement of Cherry Grove sits at the confluence of several mountain runs, marking the primary point of human habitation in the valley. Historical infrastructure is evident through the Gatewood Lookout Tower, used for fire detection across the dense timberlands. The artificial Spruce Knob Lake, held by the Spruce Knob Lake Dam, provides a focal point for upland recreation alongside the Gatewood Group Campground and the Spruce Knob Picnic Area. Numerous hollows, such as Camp Seven Hollow and Switchback Hollow, reveal the complex drainage patterns that feed the Potomac headwaters.