[2] The Wilderness protects high-elevation lands along Laurel Fork (Cheat River) and is bordered by Middle Mountain to the west.

It is a companion to Laurel Fork North Wilderness, the two being split by Randolph County Route 40.

Laurel Fork South contains 9 miles (14 km) of hiking trails.

[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 the Omnibus Public Lands Management Act of 2009 to allow vehicle travel on Forest Road 424 in the eastern edge of the Wilderness.