In the mountains of Wild Wonderful West Virginia, you will find beautiful Sugarcamp Creek Forest, with its magnificent mountain views and approximately 45 wooded acres. This beautiful property can be used as a get away, recreational property, or forever home. With its abundance of wildlife, it could be a great hunters paradise or tremendous nature enthusiast paradise. A small spring-fed creek with its waterfalls lends to the peaceful atmosphere. With its spectacular views of the surrounding farm fields and gorgeous mountains, it creates a secluded and peaceful environment that must be experienced to appreciate. Located only minutes from the Bluestone River and the Hatfield and Mccoy Trails, Sugarcamp Creek Forest gives you the opportunity to spend your day fishing, boating, or riding your ATV on the Trails. This Property has a mixture of hardwood ready to be harvested.

There is so much potential to this property. Must see for those that are looking for those amazing views and peaceful atmosphere of the West Virginia mountains.

The property is only a few minutes from Princeton, West Virginia, where you will find a charming downtown atmosphere with the small coffee shops and restaurants and specialty shops provide fun filled evenings with family and friends.

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 37.371153(N), -81.189845(W)

Address: Black Oak Road, Rock, WV 24747. A 911 address has not yet been assigned.

Elevation Range: 2347 ft. to 2637 ft. +/-

Drive Times (approximate)

Highway/Local Towns

I-77 Princeton Exit 9: 20 minutes

Princeton: 15 minutes

Athens and Concord University: 30 minutes

Bluefield: 30 minutes

Beckley: 50 minutes

Blacksburg, VA and Virginia Tech: 1 hour 15 minutes

Charleston: 1 hour 45 minutes

Wytheville, VA: 1 hour

Airports

Beckley Raleigh County Memorial Airport: 50 minutes

Blacksburg Virginia Tech Montgomery Executive Airport: 1 hour 15 minutes

Bluefield Mercer County Airport: 30 minutes

Charleston West Virginia International Yeager Airport: 1 hour 45 minutes

Roanoke Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport: 1 hour 50 minutes

Recreation

Lake Bluestone Lake: 1 hour 20 minutes

Resort Glade Springs Resort: 1 hour

Resort Pipestem Resort State Park: 50 minutes

Resort The Greenbrier: 1 hour 40 minutes

Resort Twin Falls Resort State Park: 1 hour 15 minutes

National Park New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, Sandstone: 1 hour 15 minutes

Skiing Winterplace Ski Resort: 40 minutes

State Park Camp Creek State Park & Forest: 40 minutes

State Park Pipestem Resort State Park: 50 minutes

State Park Twin Falls Resort State Park: 1 hour 15 minutes

NATURE ENTHUSIATS

What a hunters paradise or recreational property. The surrounding rugged mountains and tremendous wildlife food sources, spring-fed streams, and the abundance of Hickory, White Oak, and Red Oak, create a habitat for both large and small game making Sugarcamp Creek Forest a hunters dream spot.

The abundance of the year-round water source from the streams with their surrounding aquatic plant life create a water-supported community with a wide variety of wildlife. Some of the margin of the creek supports the aquatic food web, provide shelter for wildlife, and stabilize the shores. There are many animals that live in the water and around the edge of the spring-fed creek including raccoons, possums, Blue Heron, turtles, salamanders, crayfish, bullfrog, eagles, hawks and red wing birds. The property has a mixture of hardwood species. The adverse tree species coupled with the abundant water supply from the creek creates a perfect wildlife habitat. The edge effect created between the creeks, hollows, ridge, rock out-croppings and forest is a textbook habitat, benefiting all of the residents.

Whitetail deer, black bear, wild turkey, squirrels, rabbits, Bobcats, raccoons, fox and many species of song birds and raptors makeup the resident wildlife population. The hardwood forest provides an essential nutrients source and produces tons of hardwood mask including Acorns, Hickory nuts, Beechnut ,black walnut. Soft Mass includes Sage horn , black cherry, tulip Poplar seeds, Maple seeds, Autumn olive berries and blackberries.

FOREST/TIMBER RESOURCES

The abundant timber resource is well positioned for immediate timber income. The timber has not been harvested in decades. With an attractive species mix, adequate stocking levels, and favorable diameter class distribution, the timber harvest represents a significant component to the value of the property. A capital value of the timber has not yet been determined.

WILDLIFE

Wildlife management practices at Sugarcamp Creek Forest have created the ideal wildlife preserve. The whitetail deer and turkey population are particularly impressive. Management goals promote the overall wildlife health by facilitating the harvest of game and the development of the wildlife viewing areas. Increasing the carrying capacity and increasing species diversity on the property are major contributors to the local ecosystems richness and diversity of both plants and animals.

The stream and the surrounding aquatic plant life create a water supported community with a wide variety of wildlife. Some of the margins of the pond are fringed by wetlands, and these wetlands support the aquatic food web, provide shelter for wildlife and stabilize the shores of the pond and banks downstream. The plant life associated with the wetlands includes Rushes, slugs, cat tails, duck weed, and algae. The stream is spring-fed as well as the pond and makes for year-round water supply.

WATER

Sugarcamp Branch, a blueline stream, runs through the property. Although the property is located on the headwaters of this stream, there should be regular water flow, especially during rain events and snow melt.

MINERAL RESOURCES

All rights the owner has will convey with the property.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The owners deed references a plat recorded as Microfilm Map #13238 showing information about the property. The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acre.

UTILITIES

Water: Well would need to be drilled

Sewer: Septic system would need to be installed

Electricity: On property

Telephone: Frontier nearby

Internet: Frontier or satellite provider

Cellphone Coverage: Good

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

Maps show that Black Oak Road Route 71/4 runs through the property providing direct access to the public road system.

ZONING

The county is subject to some zoning and subdivision regulations. All prospective buyers should consult the County Commission and also the Health Department for details regarding zoning, building codes and installation of septic systems.

PROPERTY TYPE/USE SUMMARY

This property is nearly all forestland.

(This is an estimation of current property use as determined from aerial photography. It is made subject to the estimation of property boundaries and any errors in the interpretation of land use type from the aerial photography utilized.)

DEED and TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: DB 1135 Pg. 162, back deed is DB 841 Pg. 408

Mercer County, West Virginia

Acreage: 48 acres +/-

Real Estate Taxes Information:

Mercer County (28), West Virginia

Rock District (11)

Tax Map 46 Parcel 32.1; Class 3

2025 Total Real Estate Taxes: $632.34

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Mercer County School District

Public Elementary School:

Mercer Elementary School

Public Middle School:

Princeton Middle School

Public High School:

Princeton High School

Higher Education:

Concord University, Athens

Mercer County Technical Education Center, Princeton

RECREATION AT SUGARCAMP CREEK FOREST

The property offers unparalleled recreational opportunities. Numerous soft recreational activities are anchored by the nearby New River, 2000-acre Bluestone Lake, Greenbrier River, and the New River Gorge National River Park & Preserve.

Water-sports enthusiasts will find the nearby lakes and rivers ideal for swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and windsurfing. Great fishing is found for small and large mouth bass, crappie, catfish, muskie, walleye, pike and bluegill.

Nature viewing is next in line of recreational activities. Wildlife viewing is not just for larger animals. Equal consideration is given to a diversity of species including neo-tropical songbirds, butterflies, turtles, frogs, rabbits, chipmunks, dragonflies, owls, eagles and hawks. White tail deer, black bear, red/gray fox, bobcat, wild turkey, grouse, geese, squirrel, raccoon, fox and rabbit make up the resident wildlife population.

Stargazing-Planet Observation

Lots of darkness can be still be found on the property, thereby affording the opportunity to view the night sky in all its brilliant wonder. Ideal for star walking and astrophotography too.

Shooting-sports devotees find all the land and privacy needed to enjoy:

Paintball-Airsoft-Laser Tag-Archery tag

Shotgun sport shooting including Skeet, Trap, Double Trap and Sporting Clays

Rifle & Handgun shooting: bullseye, silhouette, western, bench rest, long-range, fast draw

Archery and Crossbow competition shooting

22 single shot rifle and a few tin cans make a fun day

All Terrain Motorsports

The property is perfect for experiencing the property from an ATV or UTV. Riders are welcome to ride all public roads that do not have a painted dividing line and there are miles and miles of open roads in the area. These exciting machines handle the wide variety of the forests terrain.

Dirt bikes can also be a lot of fun and they come in all sizes and horsepower to fit anyone who enjoys being on two wheels.

Mountain Biking, Horseback Riding and Hiking. The land may be used for mountain biking, hiking or horseback riding and the area offers several state and national parks geared for these activities.

FOREST FARMING

The most common crops are medicinal herbs and mushrooms. Other crops that can be produced include shade-loving native ornamentals, moss, fruit, nuts, other food crops, and decorative materials for crafts. These crops are often referred to as special forest products.

Here are some specific examples of crops:

Medicinal herbs: Ginseng, goldenseal, black cohosh, bloodroot, passionflower, and mayapple

Mushrooms: Shiitake and oyster mushrooms

Native ornamentals: Rhododendrons and dogwood

Moss: Log or sheet moss

Fruit: Pawpaws, currants, elderberries, and lowbush blueberries

Nuts: Black walnuts, hazelnuts, hickory nuts, and beechnuts

Other food crops: Ramps (wild leeks), maple syrup, and honey

Plants used for decorative purposes, dyes, and crafts: Galax, princess pine, white oak, pussy willow branches in the spring, holly, bittersweet, and bloodroot and ground pine (Lycopodium)

SELF SUSTAINING LIFE OFF THE GRID

Just as 150 years ago, when the first mountaineers settled the area, the property can be self-sustaining in times of necessity even without electricity.

Fresh water for drinking and cooking can come from mountain springs or a drilled water well (hand drawing water from the well using a cylinder well bucket).

The creeks and forest can provide fresh food (deer, squirrel, rabbit, and turkey).

Clearing land for agriculture can provide vegetable gardens, berry patches, fruit orchards, and row crops of corn, oats and barley.

Bee hives can provide honey and beeswax for candles and pollenate the fruit trees.

The forest can provide firewood for heating and cooking, lumber for building, maple syrup and pounds of nuts (walnuts, beechnuts and hickory nuts).

A vineyard could be created to provide jellies, jams, juices and wines.

Livestock can be raised including dairy cows, chickens, geese, turkey, rabbits, goats, sheep, pigs and cattle. Milk, cheese, eggs, meat, wool, leather, fur, feather pillows and down comforters can all be produced.

PERMACULTURE FARMING

The three core tenets of permaculture are:

Care for the earth: Provision for all life systems to continue and multiply. This is the first principle, because without a healthy earth, humans cannot flourish.

Care for the people: Provision for people to access those resources necessary for their existence

Setting limits to population and consumption: By governing our own needs, we can set resources aside to further the above principles. This includes returning waste back into the system to recycle into usefulness. The third ethic is sometimes referred to as Fair Share, which reflects that each of us should take no more than what we need before we reinvest the surplus.

Permaculture design emphasizes patterns of landscape, function, and species assemblies. It determines where these elements should be placed so they can provide maximum benefit to the local environment. Permaculture maximizes useful connections between components and synergy of the final design. The focus of permaculture, therefore, is not on each separate element, but rather on the relationships created among elements by the way they are placed together; the whole becomes greater than the sum of its parts. Permaculture design therefore seeks to minimize waste, human labor, and energy input by building systems, and maximizes benefits between design elements to achieve a high level of synergy. Permaculture designs evolve over time by taking into account these relationships and elements and can evolve into extremely complex systems that produce a high density of food and materials with minimal input.

The design principles, which are the conceptual foundation of permaculture, were derived from the science of systems ecology and study of pre-industrial examples of sustainable land use. Permaculture draws from several disciplines including organic farming, agroforestry, integrated farming, sustainable development, and applied ecology. Permaculture has been applied most to the design of housing and landscaping, integrating techniques such as agroforestry, natural building, and rainwater harvesting within the context of permaculture design principles and theory.

SURROUNDING AREA

The surrounding area offers unlimited soft recreational activities including white water rafting, golfing, fishing, camping, hiking, bird watching and rock climbing. Snow skiing at the Winterplace Ski Resort is 40 minutes away. The Raleigh County Airport at Beckley is just 50 minutes away. Yeager Airport in Charleston WV, is an easy 1 hour 45 minute drive and the Regional Airport in Roanoke is about a two hour drive.

The property is supported by the thriving community of Princeton. The area is a strong economic generator with a solid workforce employed in county/state government, tourism, hospitality, education, retail, construction, wood products, railroad, mining and agriculture. The surrounding area is richly blessed with a wide array of cultural events that keep life interesting and satisfying.

Charleston is West Virginias state capitol and is an easy 1 hour 45 minute drive. Charleston is West Virginias largest city with a population of some 50,000 and a metro area of 225,000. It is the center of government, commerce, culture and industry. There is a commercial airport with daily flights to most major hubs.

Beckley is a 50-minute drive, has a population of 34,000, and is the county seat of Raleigh County. Most all amenities are available in Beckley. Beckley is located at the intersection of I-77, I-64 and US 19 so easy access to Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Charleston and Cincinnati is just around the corner.

The world renowned 4-Star Greenbrier Resort is a little over a 90-minute drive. Several other area golf courses are available in the area. The New River Gorge recreation area offers white water rafting, rock climbing, ziplining, camping and horseback riding. The nearby and very popular 100+ mile long Hatfield-McCoy ATV trail makes for a very active recreation area.

Year round, state maintained paved roads and a private driveway provide easy access. Weekly trash pickup, daily newspaper and daily mail delivery is available at curb-side. UPS and FedEx service this area also.

Situate within an hours drive of the confluence of the New River, Bluestone River and Greenbrier River, the 2000 acre Bluestone Lake at Hinton is truly a gateway to water recreation. The 70,000 acre New River National River Park, Bluestone State Park, Pipestem State Park Resort and 17,000 acre Bluestone Wildlife Management Area are recreational cornerstones in the area. The new 12,000 acre Boy Scout high adventure camp is an hours drive.

CAMP CREEK STATE PARK AND FOREST

Camp Creek State Park and Forest is known for beautiful waterfalls and great camping. With nearly 6,000 acres of lush forest, 35 miles of trails and seven miles of seasonally stocked trout streams, there is something for every hiker, biker, horseback rider and angler to explore and enjoy.

Camp Creek State Park and Forest has four campgrounds, all of which include picnic tables, grills and fire rings. Camp Creek campgrounds are open year-round, weather permitting. Campsites may be reserved anytime online, by call, or at the campground office.

Mash Fork Campground offers Wi-Fi and a heated bathhouse. In its entirety, the campground includes 26 trailer/tent sites with the following options: 9 with electrical hookups, 8 with water and electric hookups, and 9 with full hookups.

Blue Jay Campground offers 12 rustic sites for tent campers.

Double C Horse and Rider Campground is perfect for those traveling on horseback. The site offers two, four or six horse occupancy sites. Riders may bring as many horses as their campsite stall accommodates.

Pack It In Pack It Out Campground is the ideal spot for those looking to travel away from mainstream facilities. To reach the campsite, guests must hike or bike more than three miles to the Almost Heaven Road and Trail. Reservations for this remote campground are preferred.

PIPESTEM RESORT STATE PARK

Pipestem Resort State Park is West Virginias largest state park. It is nestled between Mercer and Summers Counties in southern West Virginia, and it sits on the east rim of the Bluestone River Gorge, which carves through the plateau to the scenic Bluestone River 1,200 feet below. The entire park is a fantastic destination for all outdoor enthusiasts. The park offers accommodations for guests looking for a comfortable and newly-renovated lodge, an array of cabins or campsites.

Pipestem is an adventurers paradise for the individual or for families seeking outdoor excitement from a variety of activities. West Virginias best zipline takes enthusiasts down the Bluestone gorge on ziplines at heights up to 300 feet, and then delivers them back to the top via a scenic tram ride. Other adventures satisfy a range of skill and excitement levels and include skeet shooting, axe throwing, kayaking, horseback riding, electric bikes, golf, swimming, mini golf and much more.

Pipestem Resort State Park gets its name from the native pipestem or meadowsweet plant. Native Americans and early pioneers used the hollowed-out twigs as shafts for tobacco pipes. For generations, the descendants of Scotch, Irish and English farmers farmed the relatively flat plateau on the east side of the Bluestone River Gorge. The land was rich in beauty but lacking in jobs. In the 1960s, West Virginia received financial assistance to buy property to create a park that would attract visitors to help grow the local economy. The park was built with grants provided by the Area Redevelopment Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce under the administration of President John F. Kennedy. The park officially opened on Memorial Day 1970.

HATFIELD-MCCOY TRAILS

The Hatfield-McCoy Trails System (HMTS) is made up of over 600+ miles of trails and located in the rich mountains of southern West Virginia. The 600+ mile HMTS is second only to the 2000 mile long Paiute ATV Trail in Central Utah.

As one of the largest off-highway vehicle trail systems in the world, HMTS is open 365 days a year and offers something for every skill level. The trail system caters to ATV, UATV, and motorbikes (dirt bikes), but hikers, mountain bikers, and horse riders can also use the trails. The trail system is a multi-county project, including West Virginia counties Logan, Kanawha, Wyoming, McDowell, Mercer, Wayne, Lincoln, Mingo, and Boone.

The name of the trail system is derived from the names of two families, the Hatfields and McCoys, who famously feuded near the West Virginia and Kentucky border after the Civil War.

Law enforcement officers patrol the trail to assure compliance with safety regulations. Motorized users of the trail system must wear a DOT-approved helmet and are prohibited from doubling (having a passenger), unless their vehicle is designed for two people. These rules, and a host of others, have allowed the trail system to enjoy a quality safety record, despite an increase in ATV-related injuries around the country.

THE BLUESTONE NATIONAL SCENIC RIVER

The Bluestone National Scenic River protects a 10.5-mile section of the Bluestone River in Summers and Mercer counties of southern West Virginia. It was created 26 October 1988 under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and is protected by the National Park Service.

The nations Wild and Scenic Rivers System was established for the purpose of protecting for the present, and preserving for the future, undeveloped, free-flowing rivers that possess Outstandingly Remarkable scenic, natural, cultural, geological and recreational values. Currently one hundred fifty-six entire rivers or sections of rivers are protected under this system of publicly owned water resources.

A section of Bluestone NSR is also protected by the West Virginia State Park System within Pipestem Resort State Park. The remaining portion is within the 18,000 West Virginia Wildlife Management Area.

Geology and Natural History

The Bluestone River and the rugged gorge it has carved make up a richly diverse and scenic area of the Appalachian Plateau. The river cuts into Mississippian and Pennsylvanian sedimentary rocks of the Mauch Chunk and Pottsville groups in southern West Virginia according to geologic mapping carried out by researchers at nearby Concord University. The modern name of the river is derived from the blueish-colored limestones exposed along the riverbed and near the canyon floor. The rim of the canyon is mostly framed by sandstone cliffs of the Mississippian-age Princeton Formation (up to 100 ft thick) and the overlying Glady Fork Member (up to 40 ft thick) of the Bluestone Formation.

More than a thousand species of plants grow in several diverse Appalachian forest habitat types. Two hundred species of birds have been spotted in the park. The Bluestone also provides excellent areas for watching many mammal, amphibian, reptile and insect species. The riverbed habitat is alive with a carpet of macro-invertebrate aquatic species and supports healthy populations of many warm water game and non-game fishes. The Bluestone River is classified as a High-Quality Warm Water Stream by the state of West Virginia.

The headwaters of the Bluestone River begin at an elevation of 3500 feet on East River Mountain near Bluefield, Virginia and flow for 77 miles to Bluestone Lake near Hinton, West Virginia at 1409 feet.

Recreation and Access

Because Bluestone National Scenic River lies in a deep gorge with no immediate road access, getting to the area can be challenging. The best means of access is at its ends. At the downstream end, guests can enter through Bluestone State Park. At the upstream end, visitors can ride the seasonal aerial tram at Pipestem Resort State Park to reach the bottom of the gorge.

A hiking trail, the Bluestone Turnpike Trail, runs the length of the National Scenic River at the bottom of Bluestone Gorge. There are limited opportunities for canoeing and kayaking, with the spring paddling season most likely to provide adequate water levels. The Pipestem Tram will transport canoes and kayaks as well as bicycles for an additional charge.

Fishing is a popular activity along the Bluestone, with game fish such as smallmouth bass and bluegill being favored in the area. Hunting is also permitted in Bluestone Gorge; visitors should wear appropriate blaze-orange clothing during hunting seasons

THE SURROUNDING BLUESTONE AREA

BLUESTONE LAKE

Amidst the beautiful scenery of southern West Virginia lies the long Bluestone Lake. This reservoir, the third largest lake in West Virginia, is popular for its fishing and other recreational activities. Bluestone Lake was formed by a concrete dam built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers across the New River to reduce flooding. Although the dam was started in 1941, its construction was delayed because of World War II, and it was not fully completed until 1952.

The lake is nearly eleven miles long, with an area of 2,040 acres during summer pool, though the water level does change frequently. The Lake can grow to over 36 miles long at flood control pool. At higher levels, the lake extends into Giles County, Virginia. The Lakes Catchment Area is 4,565 square miles. Water levels are drawn down four feet in winter to make room for melting snow and spring rain.

Bluestone Lake, Greenbrier River and the New River are great places for fishing, and it is said that New River is the best warm-water fishery in the state. Some of the species of fish available in the lake and river are bluegill, catfish, crappie, muskellunge, and various types of bass. New River bass have set some West Virginia state records.

In addition to fishing, Bluestone Lake is fantastic for enjoying all sorts of water activities, including boating, canoeing, water skiing, and wake boarding. The lake has several boat ramps and a commercial marina for the boaters convenience, and there are no limits to the size of boats or motors that can be on the lake.

Bluestone Lake is part of the Bluestone Wildlife Management Area, which covers an area of 18,019 acres. The Wildlife Management Area is known for having some of the best hunting in the area, and hunters and trappers will be able to catch a variety of game including white-tail deer, turkey, fox, and other animals.

One great place to enjoy the lake is at Bluestone State Park. The park has ample accommodations for those who want to stay overnight. There are a variety of camp sites or, if you prefer a more comfortable stay, there are 26 cabins with TVs, showers, and other modern conveniences. Park visitors can take a walk on the hiking trails, play in the swimming pool, or rent game equipment to play croquet or horseshoes. The park also has weekly events with lots of fun activities.

In addition to all the fun activities on the lake, theres plenty more to do in the surrounding area. There are several other parks nearby, where you can enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities. You can experience some great whitewater on the New River. And the New River Gorge is well-known as a great place for rock climbing, with its many hard sandstone cliffs. If you want a break from outdoor activities, the nearby town of Hinton has many attractions. There are a variety of restaurants, shops and antique stores to browse, and museums to visit.

Historical and recreational interest located in the Bluestone area includes the outdoor musical dramas Hatfields and McCoys and others shows performed at Grandview Park, near Beckley. Pipestem Resort with its myriad recreational facilities is 20 minutes away, and the 80,000 acres New River Gorge National River Park, center of some of the states best whitewater rafting and canoeing plays an integral part of the area. Of special note are Sandstone Falls and the Visitor Center, just north of Hinton; and Bluestone National Wild and Scenic River, which flows into Bluestone Lake within the park boundaries.

BLUESTONE LAKE MARINA

Bluestone Lake Marina offers guests lake opportunities for water-oriented recreation. Depending on lake conditions, it is open from April 15th through October 15th.

At the marina you can rent fishing boats, pontoon boats, kayaks, canoes and slip rentals as well as cabin rentals conveniently located near Bluestone Lake and Bluestone State Park. Fuel, bait and snacks are available for purchase.

BLUESTONE WMA 18,109 ACRES

The statewide Wildlife Management Program is designed to conserve and manage high quality habitats for a variety of wildlife species and to improve public access to these resources. West Virginia provides numerous opportunities to learn and appreciate the abundant wildlife.

Bluestone Wildlife Management Area offers visitors a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities on 18,109 acres. Being adjacent to Bluestone Lake, the states third largest body of water, the area offers guests boating, canoeing and fishing opportunities. 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.

Hunting is offered due to the wildlife management area status, and Bluestone has over 330 primitive campsites and picnic sites. Avid fishermen can enjoy float fishing and stocked trout fishing in Indian Creek. Hiking and equestrian trails are also popular.

Bicycles are permitted on main roads, day use areas and campground areas. Many of the roads leading to Wildlife Management area campgrounds are dirt roads which provide an experience similar to off-road bicycling.

BLUESTONE STATE PARK

Bluestone State Park was established in 1950 and is named after the Bluestone National Scenic River, which flows into the New River at the park. Bluestone State Park encompasses over 2,100 acres of rugged, heavily forested, mountainous terrain, and provides a variety of water-oriented activities for guests and residents of southern West Virginia. This park is five miles south of Hinton, WV.

Bluestone State Park has 26 modern, fully furnished cabins with kitchens, showers, linens, towels, cooking utensils, dishes, tableware and modern appliances. Each cabin also has a stone fireplace, grill, picnic table and campfire ring. Cabins are available for rent year-round and accommodate two to eight people. Select cabins are pet friendly. Guests also have access to nearby Pipestem Resort State Parks indoor facilities including an indoor pool and sauna for some more rest and relaxation.

Bluestone State Park has four campgrounds with 120 campsites. The Meador Campground has 32 sites open to RVs and tents with electric and water available at seven of the sites, electric at 15 sites, and a central bathhouse also on-site. The Tent Area Campground has five rustic sites and is designed for group camping. Old Mill Campground, open to tents and RVs, has 44 rustic campsites and a central bathhouse. East Shore Campground has 39 primitive sites accessible by boat only. The campgrounds are open mid-April through late October. Campground reservations are available from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year. Campgrounds are open on a first-come, first-serve basis through October 31. A campsite reservation application is available here.

An extra plus is that Bluestone Park is adjacent to Bluestone Lake, the states third largest body of water. Due to this sizeable lake, boating and fishing are naturally an important part of the recreational opportunities at the park. The addition of hiking trails, a swimming pool, game courts, and a seasonal nature/recreation program creates a well-rounded array of activities. The proximity of Bluestone to Winter Place ski area makes the parks rental cabins affordable accommodations for ski groups and winter vacations.

Nearby is The Year-Round Crown Jewel of West Virginia State Parks, Pipestem, is known for its scenic overlooks and an aerial tram ride into the Bluestone Gorge. Park amenities include an 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course with several restaurants and snack bars.

THE NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL PARK and PRESERVE

The 70,000-acre New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is a unit of the United States National Park Service (NPS) designed to protect and maintain the New River Gorge in southern West Virginia in the Appalachian Mountains. Established in 1978 as a national river, the NPS-protected area stretches for 53 miles from just downstream of Hinton to Hawks Nest State Park near Ansted. The park was officially named Americas 63rd national park, the U.S. governments highest form of protection, in December of 2020.

West Virginia is home to parts of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, a foot path that stretches more than 2,100 miles between Maine and Georgia; the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail, which cuts through 16 states for 4,900 miles; the Bluestone National Scenic River; and Harpers Ferry National Historic Park.

The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is rich in cultural and natural history, and offers an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities. New River Gorge is home to some of the countrys best whitewater rafting, mainly from the Cunard put-in to the Fayette Station take-out, and is also one of the most popular climbing areas on the East Coast.

Home to the New River, which drops 750 feet over 66 miles, with its Class V rapids, has long drawn adventuresome rafters and kayakers to this whitewater area. The New River, which flows northward through low-cut canyons in the Appalachian Mountains, is one of the oldest rivers on the planet.

Rock climbing on the canyon walls, mountain biking and hiking on trails that flank the river, and wildlife viewingbald eagles, osprey, kingfishers, great blue herons, beavers, river otters, wild turkeys, brown bats, snakes, and black bearsare all popular activities within the park.

Begin your experience with a stop at Canyon Rim Visitor Center, which is situated on the edge of the gorge, for maps, current information, and chats with a park ranger. You can learn any pertinent safety protocols and visit the bookstore.

The New River Gorge Bridge is a work of structural art. Construction of the bridge began in 1974, and was completed in 1977. The Bridge spans 3,030 feet in length and is the third highest bridge in the U.S., at 876 ft. During Bridge Day, an annual one-day festival celebrating the construction of the Bridge, BASE jumpers launch off the 876-foot bridge and parachute down to the New River. New River Gorge is the only national park in the U.S. that permits this extreme activity.

President Jimmy Carter signed legislation establishing New River Gorge National River on November 10, 1978. As stated in the legislation, the park was established as a unit of the national park system for the purpose of conserving and interpreting outstanding natural, scenic, and historic values and objects in and around the New River Gorge and preserving as a free-flowing stream an important segment of the New River in West Virginia for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve Designation Act in 2021 changed the designation to New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Less than 10% of the original national river was re-designated as a national park, where hunting is no longer permitted, while the remainder is a national preserve with little change.

The New River is shared by boaters, fisherman, campers, park visitors and local neighbors. The waters of the New River system contain a mosaic of hydrologic features and aquatic habitats that support a highly productive aquatic ecosystem that includes distinct populations of native fish, mussels, crayfish, and a broad array of other aquatic life, including rare amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

NEW RIVER REGION OVERVIEW

The 320-mile New River rises in the Blue Ridge region of North Carolina and flows northeastward through the Appalachian uplands to Radford, Va., where it turns northwestward and passes through a series of narrow valleys and gorges into southern West Virginia. It ends where it joins the Gauley River to form the Kanawha River. In WV, the New River is entrenched in a steep and narrow valley, the most narrow part of which is known as the New River Gorge.

In 1998, because of historical, economical, and cultural importance, President Clinton signed into law the New River as one of the very first American Heritage Rivers. Much of the rivers course through West Virginia was designated as the New River Gorge National River. In 2021, the area was designated as the United States newest National Park.

The New River is recognized as the second oldest river in the world and is estimated to be between 10 and 360 million years old. Its headwaters begin near Blowing Rock, NC, and is one of the few rivers in North America that flows northerly.

Class I, II, III, IV and V rapids dot the entire 320 miles of New River making it a great paddling, tubing, and white rafting adventure. Beautiful cliffs, bluffs, and mountain views make it one of the most scenic rivers on the east coast.

New River Gorge National Park includes 53 miles of free-flowing New River, beginning at Bluestone Dam and ending at Hawks Nest Lake. The New River typifies big West Virginia style whitewater. Within the park it has two very different characters. The upper (southern) part of the river consists primarily of long pools, and relatively easy rapids up to Class III. It is a big powerful river, but very beautiful, always runnable, and providing excellent fishing and camping.

There are several different river access points, and trips can run from several hours to several days. The lower (northern) section of river is often referred to as the Lower Gorge. In a state that is justifiably renowned for colossal rapids, the Lower Gorge has some of the biggest of the big with rapids ranging in difficulty from Class III to Class V. The rapids are imposing and forceful, many of them obstructed by large boulders which necessitate maneuvering in very powerful currents, crosscurrents, and hydraulics. Some rapids contain hazardous undercut rocks.

Prior to the rise of the Appalachian Mountains, the New River cut its bed at a time when the land sloped to the northwest. Amazingly so, as the Appalachians gradually rose around the river, the New River wore away the bedrock at the same rate the mountains formed, leaving behind towering cliffs and prominences that hover hundreds of feet about the water level.

Accounts claim that Indians referred to the New River as the river of death, however this origin story is likely legend. Native Americans and early European settlers regarded the New and Kanawha rivers as being one single waterway. The name New may have been derived when the river upstream was discovered by European explorers as the first new river found flowing westward.

Native American Indians used the New River as they traveled west years before the pioneers arrived. In the 1600s explorers navigating the New River thought they were close to the Pacific Ocean because of its westerly flow.

In 1671 the Batts-Fallam expedition, by way of the New River, came through to the Lurich area and ended there because the Indian guides refused to take them any farther. They carved their initials in a tree and claimed the territory for King Charles II of England. This was the first proclamation of English territory west of the Alleghenies making the New River the first gateway into the west.

Fast water, big rocks and lazy/slow stretches are features of the New River. Water sports enthusiasts will find the New River ideal for swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and windsurfing. Great fishing is found in the New River with bass (largemouth, smallmouth and rock), flathead catfish, channel catfish, muskie, walleye and bluegill present in good numbers. Year after year, it produces more citation fish than any other warm water river in WV.

The New River Gorge was a vast and largely unsettled wilderness until the C&O railroad was built on the eastern side of the river in the 1880s. The railroad opened the rich coalfields and virgin timber stands of the region. Early mountaineers settled the area and soon were carving out mountain farms and raising families.

The gorge was practically impassible before completion of the New River Gorge Bridge, near Fayetteville, WV, in 1978. The river within its gorge is one of the most popular whitewater rafting destinations in the eastern U.S. Much of the New between Hinton and Gauley Bridge is managed by the National Park Service as the New River Gorge National River.

Principal tributaries of the New in West Virginia include, from south to north, the East River, the Bluestone River, and the Greenbrier River.

Many former mining communities located on the New River in its gorge have since become ghost towns. These include Sewell, Nuttalburg, Kaymoor, Fayette, South Fayette, Hawks Nest, Cotton Hill, and Gauley, Beury and Claremont.