The area just to the east of the Cranberry Wilderness is drained by tributaries of the Greenbrier River which flows into the New.

It protects several tributaries of both the Williams and Cranberry Rivers which are popular trout streams.

[8] The Cranberry Wilderness has been evaluated for its mineral resource potential by the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Bureau of Mines.

While the area is largely valued for its natural beauty and ecological significance, studies have identified some mineral deposits within its boundaries.

[9] Bituminous coal deposits are present, primarily in the northern regions of the wilderness.