Bluestone wildlife management area

Bluestone Wildlife Management Area or mostly known as Bluestone WMA, is located in three West Virginia counties encompassing New River and Bluestone Lake. The WV counties of Monroe, Mercer and Summers support the BWMA and are home to New River as is enters WV and becomes Bluestone Lake. Bluestone Wildlife Management Area offers visitors a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities on 18,232 acres. Surronding Bluestone Lake, the state's second largest body of water, the area offers guests boating, canoeing, hunting and fishing opportunities. Hunting is offered due to the wildlife management area status, and Bluestone has over 330 primitive campsites and 22 miles of trails. Avid fishermen can enjoy float fishing and stocked trout fishing in Indian Creek. Hiking and equestrian trails are also popular. Boat rentals are nearby at the marina under the Lilly Bridge.

Persons interested in the area are able to contact an onsite office atBluestone Wildlife Management AreaHC 65Indian Mills, WV 24935(304) 466-33981-800-CALL WVAIf they need assistance or questions answered they may contact Special Conservation Officer Rob Sovine at the above address. Mr. Sovine is the Superintendent of the WMA and is the chief law enforcement officer along with being the administrator of the DNR area.

or email the office at [e-mail]. The area is operated by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources for the purpose of providing outdoor recreational opportunties to the public and protecting the natural resources of the land. The land is owned by the US Army Corp of Engineers and leased to WV Division of Natural Resources for management and public access. The West Virginia State Parks operates the onsite office at Bluestone WMA and provides camping facilities and information on the area. They are the only agency that actually operates on the the area.

There are seven Camping Areas spread over 12 miles of New River and Bluestone Lake:Indian Mills - 15 sites Keatley - 15 sites Bertha - 55 sites on lake Mouth of Indian Creek - 94 sites on the New River Shanklin's Ferry - 91 sites on the New River Cedar Branch - 45 sites on the New RiverBull Falls - 15 sites on Bluestone Lake

All campsites are $11.00 year-round with senior discounts available.

Recreation is offered with no entry fees generally associated with Corp of Engineer areas. However, there is a fee for camping. recreation opportunities include but are not limited to the following: Fishing (with required state license)Hunting (with required state license)Hiking Horseback riding - Stable available for overnight rentals Canoeing Boating PicnicingRock Climbing

The Sherman Ballard Recreation Area has a cabin and barn which offers rustic accommodations. The building is an open air construction with only the bathroom completely enclosed. It has 6 sets of bunk beds, a full kitchen, full bathroom, and covered "porch" area. It is used frequently for family reunions, weddings, receptions, hunting parties, etc. It is rustic, NO TV, air conditioning or phones. The barn is the only barn in the state park system which allows you to bring your own horses instead of a contract consession with provided horses. At on time, the Wildlife biologists tried to prevent horses from Bluestone WMA but were rebutted with public outcry to allow horses on the public use area.

Located in the southern part of the state, Bluestone Wildlife Management Area is accessible by several major highways. From I-64 to WV 20 south or from I-77 south, take the Athens Road Exit (exit 14) to WV 20 north, and travel 22 miles. Mostly it is off WV route 12 at a place called Indian Mills. Indian Mills is no longer on the map or even mapquest, so the nearest town five miles away, Forest Hill, will help in getting you located to New River and the WMA. Consult an official highway map for further details.

References include:US Army Corp of EngineersWV State ParksWV Division of Natural Resources