Bluestone Wildlife Management Area

Bluestone Wildlife Management Area[4] (also known as Bluestone Lake Wildlife Management Area[5]) is a wildlife management area in southern West Virginia surrounding Bluestone Lake and the New River. The section of the lake from just upstream of the Bluestone River to Bluestone Dam is in Bluestone State Park; the rest of the lake in West Virginia basin comprises Bluestone WMA.[6] All together, the WMA comprises 18,019 acres (72.92 km2) of land and water.[2]

Bluestone Wildlife Management Area
Location of Bluestone Wildlife Management Area in West Virginia
LocationWest Virginia, United States
Coordinates37°33′32″N 80°52′49″W[1]
Area18,019 acres (72.92 km2)[2]
Elevation1,732 ft (528 m)[1]
Visitors168,587[3]
OperatorWest Virginia Division of Natural Resources

The wildlife management area is operated by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section to provide hunting and fishing opportunities to the public and to protect the natural resources of the land. The land is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and leased to WVDNR.

Recreation

With the exception of camping, there are no fees for using the Wildlife Management Area. Day-use recreational opportunities include:[7]

Free boat launches provide access to Indian Creek, the New River, and Bluestone Lake.

Camping

There are seven camping areas spread along 12 miles (19 km) of the New River and Bluestone Lake. All together, these sites provide 330 primitive campsites:[8]

  • Bertha – 55 lakefront sites
  • Bull Falls – 15 lakefront sites
  • Cedar Branch – 45 riverside sites
  • Indian Mills – 15 sites
  • Keatley – 15 sites
  • Mouth of Indian Creek – 94 riverside sites
  • Shanklin's Ferry – 91 riverside sites

Sherman Ballard Recreation Area

The Sherman Ballard Recreation Area has a cabin and barn which offers rustic accommodations. The cabin is an open air construction offering five bunk beds sets, a full kitchen, full enclosed bathroom, and covered porch.[7]

The barn is the only one in the West Virginia State Parks system allowing users to bring their own horses rather than renting horses from a concessionaire. At one time, WVDNR biologists tried to ban horses from the WMA but were rebutted by a public outcry.

References
  1. "Bluestone Lake Wildlife Management Area". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. 1996-09-13. Retrieved 2009-02-08.
  2. "District 4 Wildlife Management Areas". West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Retrieved January 6, 2010.
  3. Bluestone Wildlife Management Area, 2009 Annual Report. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. p. 2.
  4. "Bluestone Wildlife Management Area". West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation Section. Retrieved February 13, 2010.
  5. "Bluestone Lake". U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Huntington District. Retrieved February 13, 2010.
  6. Bluestone Wildlife Management Area (PDF) (Map). West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. January 29, 2007. Retrieved March 27, 2010.
  7. "Bluestone Wildlife Management Area: Recreation". West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Retrieved March 27, 2010.
  8. "Bluestone Wildlife Management Area: Camping". West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Retrieved March 27, 2010.
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