OVERVIEW

Wild and Wonderful three Bedroom two Bath West Virginia Mountain cabin.  Nestled in sunshine, fresh air and nature. Property includes 6.41 Acres and two streams.  Located in Summers County West Virginia near the Bluestone National River and Turnpike Trail.

Enjoy days that never end talking by the campfire, swimming, boating, fishing and the simple things in life. Good times with family and friends. The Bluestone Cabin will charm your heart. Have the time of your life in this relaxation destination. Spacious cabin with room to roam.  Hand crafted oak kitchen countertops, West Virginia hemlock ship lap siding, white oak laminate flooring, custom craftsman wood doors and cabinets.  Mostly forested property with garden areas and small field. Pear, apple and walnut trees.  Paved and Gravel state maintained mountain roads to the property. Bluestone River and Little Bluestone River are only 1/2 mile from the property. Hike the nine mile Turnpike Trail along the river, explore the over 17,000 acre Bluestone State park at your back door. New River Gorge National Park Access and Trails 20 minutes at Hinton, WV.

  ATTRIBUTES AND HIGHLIGHTS

• Half mile from Bluestone River and little Bluestone River “TurnPike”.
• Turnpike Trail Bluestone park Service.
• 20 minutes to the New River, Bluestone River, Greenbrier River and 2000-acre Bluestone Lake – perfect for anglers and all water recreation enthusiasts
• Cell service excellent.
• Historic Hinton, the gateway to water recreation, is just a 20 minute drive
• Views of distant mountains with striking sunrises and sunsets
• Responsible wildlife management coupled with outstanding long-term forest stewardship
• Awesome rock outcrops, ledges, boulders, cliffs for a great climbing experience
• Exceptional regional wildlife populations of white tail deer, wild turkey, black bear, eagles, beaver, otter, mink, heron, duck raccoon, butterflies, muskie, bass & pike
• Creeks,  and valley create a diverse and interesting topography potential for Forest Farming and Self Sustaining Off – Grid living
• Hatfield and McCoy Trail is just an hour’s drive for ATV enthusiasts
• Dark skies with little light pollution for star and planet gazing
• Located in popular Summers County 20 minutes to Hinton with town amenities
• Low taxes, low population density
• Charleston WV (State Capitol) 90 min, Charlotte 3 hrs, Roanoke 2 hrs, DC 5 hrs
• Jet service with daily flights to major hubs available within 1-2 hour drives

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 37.583858°(N), -80.982203°(W)
Address: 927 Bluestone River Road, Jumping Branch, WV 25969
Elevation Range: 1804 ft. to 2027 ft. +/-

HOME AND OUTBUILDINGS

Highlights

• Three Bedrooms
• Two Baths
• Wood Heat Stoves
• Hemlock Shiplap siding and interior
• Architectural Shingle roof 2017
• Laminate and tile floor
• Screen Porch Two Decks
• Sunroom
• Front porch
• Two Creeks
• Walnut Pear and Apple Trees

Home Room Dimensions

First Floor
Living Room           14 x 23.3
Conversation Area   16.2 x 11.6
Kitchen                    11. 4 x 23. 3
Bedroom                  11.4  x 8.4
Bedroom                  11.4  x 8.4
Bath                          6 x 7.8
Foyer                        5 x 8
Sunroom                   21 x 9
Laundry                    15.9 x 11.2

Second Floor
Hall              12 x 3.3
Closet            8.4 x 3.3
Library        11.7 x10.10
Bedroom     15.9 x 11.8
Bath            15.9 x 7.10

Total Living Space = 2322
Garage   16 x 20

MINERAL RESOURCES

West Virginia is one of the states in the US that has two ownership titles, those being SURFACE RIGHTS and MINERAL RIGHTS. A title search for mineral rights ownership has not been conducted. All rights the owner has will convey with the property. A mineral title search could be conducted by a title attorney at the same time when the surface title search is being conducted.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The property is comprised of two adjoining tracts of land, which were acquired by the owner through separate deeds. Each deed has a metes and bounds description for the respective tract.  A portion of the southern boundary of the property runs with Bluestone River Road Route 27.  The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acre.

UTILITIES

Water:  Well
Heat:    Wood Stoves
Sewer:  Septic
Electricity: yes AEP
Internet:  Wifi Hotspot
Cellphone Coverage: Excellent.  Booster will convey

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

A portion of the southern boundary of the property runs with Bluestone River Road Route 27.

ZONING

Summers County currently has no known zoning or subdivision regulations. However, all prospective buyers should consult the County Government and also the Health Department for any changes and details regarding zoning, building codes, and installation of water wells and septic systems.

DEED and TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: DB 209 Pg. 274 and DB 216 Pg. 488
Summers County, West Virginia
Acreage: 6.41 acres +/-

Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:
Summers County (45), West Virginia
Jumping Branch District (5)
Tax Map 24 Parcel 34.7, Class 2 and Parcel 34.9, Class 3

2021 Total Real Estate Taxes: $550.96

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Summers County School District

Public Elementary School:
Hinton Elementary School

Public Middle School:
Summers County

Public High School:
Summers County

Colleges:
West Virginia University Beckley Campus
Concord University
Bluefield State

SURROUNDING AREA

Beautiful Bluestone

Bluestone National Scenic River is not only a unit of our national park system, but is also a part of our Wild and Scenic Rivers system. The Wild and Scenic Rivers system protects rivers throughout the country that are free-flowing and possess “outstandingly remarkable” scenic, natural, cultural, geological, and recreational values. The headwaters of the Bluestone River begin at an elevation of 3,500 feet on East River Mountain near Bluefield, Virginia and flow for 77 miles to Bluestone Lake near Hinton, West Virginia at 1409 feet. The lower 10.5 miles of the Bluestone River, cutting through an impressive and biologically diverse gorge, has been designated as Bluestone National Scenic River.

The Bluestone River, named for the deep blue limestone streambed of its upper reaches in Virginia, has created a gorge 1,000 feet deep. The bottomland within the gorge of the Bluestone was first used by Native Americans. In the late 1700’s the Lilly, Meadow, and Farley families built homesteads along the river. At the confluence of the Bluestone and Little Bluestone Rivers, the community of Lilly once flourished just half a mile from the property. The Bluestone Turnpike, a riverbank road used by those who farmed and timbered the area until the 1940’s, is used today by visitors to the park.  Remnants of the village of “Lilly” are said to still be visible in some areas of the trail.

The Bluestone River and the rugged and ancient gorge it has carved is a richly diverse and scenic area of the southern Appalachian Mountains. Time spent in thoughtful solitude along this little mountain river offers the visitor a vestige of primitive America. Over a thousand species of plants grow in several diverse Appalachian forest habitat types. The park provides excellent opportunities for watching many mammal, bird, 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.

BLUESTONE TURNPIKE TRAIL

The Bluestone Turnpike Trail is a 9.5-mile moderate hiking trail that follows the path of an old riverbank road. Farmed and timbered until the 1940’s, this forested area now has a great diversity of plants and river wildlife. Remnants of the area’s human history remain, waiting to be discovered by observant hikers.

The Bluestone Turnpike Trail connects on the north end with Bluestone State Park’s campground road, just past the Old Mill Campground. On the south end at Pipestem Resort State Park, this trail connects with the Farley Loop Trail and River Trail. These trails can be accessed from the Mountain Creek Lodge, at the base of the tram at Pipestem Resort State Park

Hunting is permitted during certain seasons. Hikers are advised to wear blaze orange during these periods. This trail connects Bluestone State Park and Pipestem Resort State Park. These state parks also offer good hiking trails.

Check out the Ranger Programs page to find out more about ranger guided hikes in the park.

Water-sports enthusiasts will find nearby the three rivers and the 2000-acre lake ideal for swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and windsurfing. Great fishing is found in all the rivers and lake, with small mouth bass, crappie, catfish, muskie and bluegill present in good numbers. Ice skating is occasionally a fun activity during the winter months.

Nature viewing is first in line of recreational activities. Attentive wildlife management has been geared not to just larger animals. Equal consideration has been extended to increasing the numbers and 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, duck, squirrel, raccoon, fox and rabbit make up the resident wildlife population.

It is hard to find a property that has a better mix of wildlife. 

Stargazing-Planet Observation

Total or near total darkness can be still be found on the property, thereby affording the opportunity to view the night sky in all its brilliant wonder.

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
• Plain ole’ plinking: Grandpa’s old 22 single shot rifle and a few tin cans make a fun day

WILDLIFE

The mixture of remaining mature forest, recently harvested areas, emerging forest, farm fields, old fruit trees, coupled with the abundant a water supply from the creeks, pond and springs create the perfect wildlife habitat. The “edge effect” created between field and forest is the textbook habitat for the resident wildlife. The edges create a miles long wildlife food plot. The hardwood forest produces tons of acorns, hickory nuts, beech nuts and soft mast. White tail deer, black bear, red/gray fox, bobcat, wild turkey, squirrel, raccoon, fox and many species of songbirds, eagles, owls and raptors make up the resident wildlife population. It is hard to find a property that has a better mix of wildlife as there has been little hunting pressure for many years.

Deer, turkey, grouse, birds, insects and most fur bearing animals thrive here.

The nearby lake and rivers are major contributors to the local ecosystem richness and diversity for both plants and animals. Great fishing is found in the lake and rivers with bass, crappie, catfish, muskie, and bluegill present in good numbers.

The creeks and their attendant plant life create a water supported community with a wide variety of wildlife. There are many animals that live in the water and around the edges of the lake, river and creeks including raccoons, opossums, blue herons, bald eagles, Canada geese, wood ducks, mallards, minnows, fish, turtles, salamanders, newts, crayfish, muskrat, beaver, bull frogs, and redwing blackbirds.

Then there is the insect and microscopic world including butterflies, dragonflies, water skaters, water beetles, damselflies, hellgrammites, tadpoles and various insect larvae.

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)

SUMMERS COUNTY RECREATION

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. 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 boater’s 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 TV’s, 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, there’s 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 only nine miles to the south and the 80,000 acres New River Gorge National River Park, center of some of the state’s 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

Bluestone Lake is the state’s third largest body of water and is a flood control reservoir located on the New River near Hinton, West Virginia. At its normal pool level, Bluestone Dam impounds a 10.7-mile stretch of the New and its tributary, the Bluestone River. Normally approximately 2,040 acres in size, the lake can grow to over 36 miles long at flood control pool. At higher water levels, the lake extends into Giles County, Virginia. The lake’s Catchment Area is 4,565 square miles.

The lake is nearly eleven miles long, with an area of 2,040 acres during summer pool, though the water level does change frequently. Water levels are drawn down four feet in winter to make room for melting snow and spring rain.

Bluestone Lake, New River and Greenbrier 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 boater’s convenience, and there are no limits to the size of boats or motors that can be on the lake.

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 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.

Classic Cabins at Bluestone State Park are available for rent year-round. The campgrounds, although seasonal by nature, are popular campsites with visitors. Hiking and the opportunity to view eagles makes Bluestone a neat area to visit.

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 Park’s 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 state’s 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 park’s 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.

BLUESTONE WMA

Bluestone Wildlife Management Area offers visitors a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities on 17,632 acres. Being adjacent to Bluestone Lake, the state’s third largest body of water, the area offers guests boating, canoeing and fishing opportunities. 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.

THE NEW RIVER

The New River is the second oldest river in the world, preceded only by the Nile; it is the oldest river in North America. The New River is unique because it begins in Blowing Rock, N.C. and flows north through Virginia into West Virginia. The Nile and Amazon are the only other major rivers that also flow north. Year after year, it produces more citation fish than any other warm water river in WV. Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, sunfish, hybrid striped bass, and muskie are all common species of fish found in the New River and Bluestone Lake.

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 1880’s. The railroad opened up 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.

BLUESTONE DAM

Bluestone Dam, located at Hinton, is one of the major flood control dams in West Virginia. It has the largest drainage area and flood storage capacity of any dam in the state. It is built across New River, one mile above its junction with the Greenbrier River and two miles below the confluence of New River and Bluestone River. Prior to the construction of the Bluestone Dam, flooding was a major problem on this great river system.

Bluestone Dam was authorized in 1935 by an executive order issued by President Franklin Roosevelt. Construction on the project began in 1942, but work was suspended in 1943 because of World War II. Work resumed in January 1946, and the dam was completed for operational purposes in January 1949, and totally completed in 1952. The approximate cost was $30 million.

With a drainage area of 4,565 square miles Bluestone Dam controls 44 percent of the river flow through the populous Kanawha Valley, which is downstream. It is a concrete gravity dam 165 feet high and 2,048 feet long, administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Normal release of water from the Bluestone Lake is accomplished through 16 sluices in the base of the dam. The 790-foot spillway has 21 flood gates. There are also six sluiceways for hydroelectric power that have not been used in the early decades of the dam’s history. The maximum discharge capacity is 430,000 square feet per second.

The dam contains 942,000 cubic yards of concrete and 7,800 tons of steel. Its lake has a summertime surface of 2,040 acres and is very popular with boaters, skiers, and fishermen. Bluestone State Park, located on the Bluestone River about three miles above the dam, provides lodging, camping, a restaurant, and recreational facilities.

The Bluestone Dam celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1999, when the Army Corps of Engineers estimated that the dam had prevented more than $1.6 billion in flood damages. Bluestone ended its first half-century with important improvements under way. The lake became a major supplier of public water in 1997, serving Hinton and Princeton and a large area between and around those two communities.

Reinforcements were added to the dam under the federal Dam Safety Assurance program, with raising the dam by 8 feet, installing anchors and thrust blocks to tie the dam into bedrock, spillway improvements and other work. The second phase, installing bedrock anchors, is underway and three additional phases remain to be constructed. Simultaneously, work began to add hydroelectric capacity to the dam, in a partnership between Hinton and other communities and private industry.

Hydroelectric Power Generation Project: Bluestone Dam was originally designed for Federal hydropower and six penstocks were constructed through the east abutment. During World War II, construction activities were delayed, during which time interest in Federal hydropower declined.

The Water Resources Development Act of 2000, authorized Tri-Cities Power Authority (TCPA) to design and construct a hydropower generating facility at Bluestone Dam. TCPA is made up of the West Virginia cities for Hinton, Philippi and White Sulphur Springs.

Until the early 2000’s the penstocks were capped and never modified. Between 2001 and 2017, the Corps modified the penstocks to create an auxiliary spillway as a required Dam Safety Action.

The Corps and TCPA initiated negotiations for the installation of a non-federal hydropower facility at Bluestone Dam but these negotiations were put on hold as the Corps advanced required dam safety actions so TCPA could re-assess the project.  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.