OVERVIEW

Removed from the unrelenting fast pace of urban life, the 87-acre High Meadows Farm is a superb multi-use property located on the doorstep of the 70,000-acre New River Gorge National River Park and Preserve.  Adaptable and flexible, High Mountain Farm offers exceptional recreation, agriculture and timber investment opportunity for the discerning buyer.

High Mountain Farm has been owned, managed, and well cared for by Meadows-Willey family for many generations. The property is located south of the City of Hinton on Zion Mountain along Low Gap Church Road — Address 1528 Low Gap Church Road Hinton, WV 25951. Survey, Appraisal and Timber Cruise all recently completed.   Small camp / home structure built in 1941 with well and active power.  Priced at $275,000.

HIGHLIGHTS & ATTRIBUTES

• 87+/- acres of meadows and forest in the heart of the ancient Appalachian Mountains and 70,000 acre New River Gorge National ParkBluestone State Park
• $80,000 timber value appraised by a professional forester is available for immediate harvest to offset purchase price and holding costs
• High Meadow Farm has been owned and cared for by Meadows-Willey family for many generations.
• 1941 stick built home perfect for getaway camp
• Survey, Land Appraisal and Timber Inventory recently completed.
• Nearby New River, Bluestone River, Greenbrier River and 2000-acre Bluestone Lake are perfect for anglers and all water recreation enthusiasts
• Historic Hinton, the gateway to water recreation is just a 10-minute drive with most all town amenities.
• Interior forest trails and many established wildlife corridors
• All Mineral Rights will convey**
• Stunning long-range views of the distant mountains with striking sunrises and sunsets
• Boone and Crocket country with exceptional resident wildlife populations of white tail deer, wild turkey, black bear, eagles, beaver, otter, mink, heron, duck raccoon, butterflies, muskie, bass & pike
• Rolling meadows, wide ridges, and benches create a diverse and interesting topography
• Strong potential for Forest Farming, Permaculture and off grid living
• The property’s topography and high elevation offers a superior survival location
• Year round, state-maintained roads provide easy access.
• Renowned locally as one of the premier wildlife sanctuaries in Summers County
• Hatfield and McCoy Trail is just an hour’s drive for ATV enthusiasts
• Dark skies with little or night pollution for star/planet observation, star walking and astrophography
• Electric service is onsite and cell coverage is excellent with 4G
• Located in popular Summers County 10 minutes to Hinton with town amenities
• Hospital 10 minutes
• Potential for numerous cabin sites
• Low taxes, low population density
• Charleston WV (State Capitol) 90 min, Charlotte 3 hrs, Roanoke 2 hrs, DC 4 hrs
• Jet service with daily flights to major hubs available within 1-2 hour drives
• The High Meadow Farm is much more than real estate; it is an opportunity for adventure.

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 37.610559°(N), -80.871598°(W)
Address: 1528 Low Gap Church Road, Hinton, WV 25951
Elevation Range: 1993 ft. to 2462 ft. +/-

The High Meadow Farm is located in Summers County, WV near Hinton, in the scenic, mountainous region of southeastern West Virginia. The surrounding Summers County landscape is part of the southeastern Ridge and Valley Region, a scenic tapestry of elongated hardwood Allegheny and Appalachian mountain ranges. Much of Summers County remains undeveloped and is characterized by its scenic farm valleys, small communities and large expanses of hardwood forest.

UTILITIES

Water: drilled well, flow rate unknown
Electricity: Active Power onsite
Telephone: nearby
Internet: Cell phone or possibly through phone line or HughesNet
Cellphone Coverage: Excellent with 4G

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

The property has frontage on Low Gap Church Road RT 14/2.

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 was surveyed in June 2019.  The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acre.

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.

PROPERTY TYPE/USE SUMMARY

The property is comprised of about 18 acres in fields and the home grounds and about 69 acres in 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.)

RECREATION AT THE HIGH MEADOW FARM

The High Meadow Farm offers many recreational opportunities. Numerous soft recreational activities are anchored by the proximity to the 2000-acre Bluestone Lake, New River and Greenbrier River.  The 87 acres provide the foundation for all that is the Mountain-Life. Fresh air and nature. Wide open spaces and peaceful beautiful landscape.

Nature viewing is first in line of recreational activities. Attentive wildlife management has been geared not to just game 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, hawks.

Stargazing-Planet Observation
Complete darkness can be still be found on most of the property, thereby affording the opportunity to view the night sky in all its brilliant wonder.

Water-sports enthusiasts will find the nearby Blue Stone Lake, New River, and the Greenbrier River ideal for skiing, boating, swimming, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and windsurfing.

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

All Terrain Motorsports
The High Meadow Farm has forest trails that are perfect for experiencing the property from an ATV, UTV or 4×4’s. All county roads without a painted center line are available for ATV riding opening up miles and miles of adventure.

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 property offers gently laying trails that can be used for conventional and mountain biking, hiking or horseback riding.

Hunting is a first-class experience. White tail deer, black bear, red/gray fox, coyote, 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.

FOREST/TIMBER RESOURCES

The High Meadow Farm’s abundant timber resource is composed of high-quality Appalachian hardwoods.  This timber resource can provide a great deal of flexibility to the next ownership in terms of potential harvest revenue and can be managed to provide cash flow opportunities to offset holding cost and long-term asset appreciation.

A recent timber appraisal was conducted by a professional forester. This complete appraisal is available in the gold colored box labeled Maps and Documents at the top of the site.

The fully liquidated Capital timber value is approximately $80,000.

There is approximately 224,100 board feet (Doyle Rule) of sawtimber/veneer and some 3,900 tons of growing stock and pulpwood.

Species composition:

The forest’s predominately well-drained upland terrain has a species composition of highly desirable species and favors Appalachian hardwood types, consisting primarily of:

• White Oak/Chestnut Oak – 37%
• Red Oaks – 26%
• Poplar – 20%
• Hickory 7%
• Sugar Maple – 6%
• Soft Maple – 1%
• Black Walnut – 1%
• White Pine – 2%
• Miscellaneous: A host of associate species (beech, cherrt, cucumber, basswood, birch)
• Current Forest Summary report available.

Stocking, Stem Quality, and Forest Structure:

Stem quality forest-wide can be considered excellent with the forest containing an abundant amount of mature and young trees that can be managed to shape the future silvicultural legacy.

Several “Heritage Trees” are scattered throughout the forest and field edges. These ancient trees, some 200 years old, have withstood the test of time, weathering ice, wind, lightning strikes and fire.

The forest is healthy and there are no signs of pest infestations of Gypsy Moth. The Emerald Ash Borer, which has inundated the entire Northeast US, is present and the Ash component will significantly decline over the next decade. The Eastern Hemlock species is under attack by the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid and the hemlock will significantly decline over the coming decade.

There have been no forest fires in recent memory. The forest floor is home to several types of mushrooms, medicinal plants, wild ginseng, ferns and cool green mosses.

CARBON SEQUESTRATION

High Meadow Farm is a wonderful producer of Oxygen and Carbon Sequester. Carbon Sequestration is the act of processing carbon dioxide through sinks and stores and releasing them into the atmosphere as oxygen. The vigorously growing forest is sequestering tons of Carbon Dioxide each per year and producing tons of life sustaining Oxygen.

WILDLIFE

The mixture of forest, emerging forest and farm fields 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 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.

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 like 175 years ago, when the first mountaineers settled the area, the property would be self-sustaining in times of necessity – even without electricity.

• Fresh water for drinking and cooking would come from springs or a drilled well.
• The forest would provide fresh food (deer, and turkey).
• Additional land could be cleared, and the rich agricultural land would be used to raise livestock, vegetable gardens, berry patches, fruit orchards, and row crops of corn, oats and barley.
• Beehives would provide honey and beeswax for candles.
• The vast forest would provide firewood for heating and cooking, lumber for building, maple syrup and pounds of nuts (walnuts, beechnuts and hickory nuts).

DEED and TAX INFORMATION

Deed Information: DB 229 Pg. 452
Summers County, West Virginia
Acreage: 87 acres +/- by recent survey

Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:
Summers County (45), West Virginia
Greenbrier District (2)
Tax Map 16 Parcel 8; Class 2

2021 Total Real Estate Taxes: $507.42

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Summers County School District

Public Elementary School:
Talcott Elementary School

Public Middle School:
Summers County Middle School

Public High School:
Summers County High School

College:
Concord University (nearby in Mercer County)

THE SURROUNDING AREA

The region is easy to access. As remote as the region may seem, an expressway courses through the region’s center, spanning the gorge by way of the New River Gorge Bridge. The property is conveniently located near the interstates that courses through the center of the region. Interstates 77, 64, 19 and 79 are immediately available. Amtrak passenger stations on the Chicago-New York route are located a 10 minute drive at Hinton, a half-hour’s drive west near Beckley and an hour’s drive east and west at Charleston and White Sulphur Springs.

Jet airports are located 30 minutes to Beckley and a 90 minutes away at Charleston and 60 minutes to Lewisburg.

One of the most exciting destinations for hiking, biking, climbing, and paddling in the eastern U.S., the New River Gorge National River Park and Preserve was established by the National Park Service in 1978 and includes more than 70,000 acres in and adjacent to the New River Gorge and the valley of the New River. More than a million visitors annually climb rocks along the rim of the gorge near Fayetteville and paddle its whitewater runs on the New and its tributaries. Countless miles of hiking and biking trails wander the park and climb into the surrounding mountains. The nearby Gauley River National Recreation Area likewise attracts thousands of tourists annually, notably rafters during “Gauley Season” in autumn when the river runs strong.

As a result of unrivaled access to recreation, the Boy Scouts of America established its 12,000-acre World and National Jamborees site here, hosting upwards of 50,000 scouts and leaders for these events.

Winter in the mountains nearby attracts yet another recreational clientele — skiers bound for the slopes at Winterplace, a drive of 40 minutes to the south, and Snowshoe Mountain, a drive of two-and-a-half hours to the northeast.

Nearby is Adventures on the Gorge, one of the most enduring and popular adventure resorts in the U.S., a pioneer in the whitewater rafting industry that has helped set the stage for high-end economic development in the region.

As a result of its burgeoning tourism market, the area also enjoys more than its share of singular shops and restaurants, many of which cluster around Lewisburg and Fayetteville. Other exceptional eateries and retail destinations are located an hour west at Charleston, the state capital, and an hour east at Lewisburg, one of the most livable small towns in the U.S., according to National Geographic. The region is also renowned for great golf, and more than a score of courses are located within an hour’s drive, including Glade Springs and the three at The Greenbrier, home of the PGA tour, and Oakhurst Links, the first course built in the U.S.

High Meadow Farm is supported with the thriving communities of  Hinton, Princeton and  Beckley. The area is a strong economic generator with a solid workforce employed in county/state government, tourism, hospitality, education, retail, construction, wood products, mining and agriculture. The surrounding area is richly blessed with a wide array of cultural events that keep life interesting and satisfying. All amenities are available in Beckley. Beckley is the Raleigh County seat. 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.

Beckley (45 min), has a population of 34,000, and is the county seat of Raleigh County. All city amenities are available in Beckley. Beckley is located at the intersection of I-80 +/-, I-64 and US 19 so easy access to Charlotte, Pittsburgh, Charleston and Cincinnati is just around the corner.

Charleston is West Virginia’s state capitol and is an easy 90-minute Interstate drive. Charleston is West Virginia’s 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.

The world renowned 4-Star Greenbrier Resort, home of the PGA tour, is a 60-minute drive. Several other area golf courses are available in the area. The nearby and very popular 600+ mile long Hatfield-McCoy ATV trail makes for a very active recreation area.

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

High Meadow Farm is an easy drive of higher population areas of Charleston, Roanoke, Blacksburg, Beckley, Princeton and Lewisburg.
Hinton, Beckley & Lewisburg offer grocery stores, restaurants, banks, auto parts stores, hardware, hospital, dentists and most other city amenities. Hinton is the Summers County seat.

The surrounding area offers unlimited recreational activities including white water rafting, golfing, fishing, camping, hiking, bird watching and rock climbing and snow skiing.

Highlights:

• 10-60 min to Hinton, Beckley, Princeton, Lewisburg, 70,000-acre New River Gorge National Park, 2,000-acre Bluestone Lake, Pipestem Resort and Bluestone State Park, Sandstone Falls, Winterplace Ski Resort and the 4-Star Fayette Resort
• A picturesque Amtrak train ride from Hinton or White Sulphur Springs connects the area to DC, Philadelphia, New York, Chicago, and many other locations
• Washington, DC is 5 hours and Charlotte 3 hours
• Charleston, Beckley, Lewisburg airports offer jet service to main hubs
• Charleston, the state capitol, is 90-minute drive and offers all large city amenities
• Easy access to I-64, I-80 +/-, I-79, US 460, US 19
• The Bechtel Summit Reserve, the12,000-acre Boy Scouts of America’s high adventure camp (60 min)
• The 14,000-acre Bluestone Wildlife Management Area is just 10 at Bull Falls

THE NEW RIVER GORGE PARK AND PRESERVE

“America’s Newest National Park”

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve conserves over 70,000 acres of land along the New River between the towns of Hinton and Fayetteville. The park and surrounding area are rich in cultural and natural history, with an abundance of scenic and recreational opportunities.

Rock climbing, hiking, kayaking, and camping are highly popular activities amongst park visitors. And through National Park Foundation programs, hikers can participate in one of the hosted programs that promote parks as places for health and wellness, not just scenic beauty!

Other National Park Service programs include guided historic walks, nature programs, and an abundance of programs for kids too. In short, this huge park has activities for all shapes, sizes, and kinds. Don’t pass this one up if you’re in Wild, Wonderful West Virginia.

Tucked away in south central West Virginia, in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, is a gem of our National Park System, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Encompassing over 70,000 acres of land and containing a biodiversity of over 1,400 different species of plants, the park is situated along 53 miles of wild river flowing through a 1,000-foot-deep gorge. With world class whitewater rafting and kayaking, tops in the nation technical rock climbing, and hundreds of miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, nearly endless options for adventure exist. President Jimmy Carter signed legislation in 1978 establishing the park “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.”

Moving water is the force that is continuing to shape the geology here as the New River cuts through the Appalachian Plateau, creating the longest and deepest river gorge in the Appalachian Mountains. The New River, interestingly enough, is considered by geologists to be one of the, if not the oldest river in the world. Over time, the river has exposed Nuttall Sandstone cliffs, famous for being the hardest sandstone in the world. Some rocks in the park are as old as 330 million years. The formation and discovery of coal has also played a huge role in the natural and cultural history. Completion of the C&O Railroad in 1873 opened this isolated and largely inaccessible region, making it possible to ship coal all over the country, and prompting the formation of over 20 communities within the gorge. “Smokeless” New River coal was at one time the driving force behind our nation’s trains and factories, and even the U.S. Navy’s ships.

Today, the abandoned mine shafts and ghost towns add to the experience of adventuring in the New River Gorge. Narrow gauge rail lines have become trails that lead to ruins and remains of towns, coke ovens, conveyors, and tipples. There’s nothing better on a hot summer hike than standing at the opening of a gated mine shaft and feeling the 60-degree air pour out! A wide variety of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and trail running exist throughout the park, from mellow railroad grade along the banks of the river and exposed, rocky single-track with expansive views up on the rim. Those looking for a uniquely New River Gorge challenge can hike the infamously steep Kaymoor Miner’s Trail, with its 1,000 feet of elevation change and 821 steps in less than a mile, straight down to the river!

The two outdoor adventure activities that the New River Gorge is most known for are rock climbing and whitewater rafting. With the right amount of technical skills, local knowledge, and the right equipment, these activities can be enjoyed independently by visitors, but many folks choose to partake in these adventures with a guide through a commercial outfitter. Just like the name of the famous New River Gorge sandstone wall, the climbing here is quite literally endless. To date, there are well over 1,500 established routes, but new routes are being documented every year. Climbs for beginners to the highly advanced exist throughout the park. The extremely hard Nuttall Sandstone cliffs are well known throughout the country for their high quality, allowing for both traditional and sport climbing styles. Rappelling is also a favorite for many adrenaline seekers. The Rams Head formation on Beauty Mountain is the perfect spot, with a 130 tall overhanging cliff to rappel down while taking in the expansive views of the gorge and rafters on the river 1,000 feet below.

The whitewater is what initially put the New River Gorge on the national spotlight, with the lower section of the New being one of the classic whitewater runs in the entire country. The New River is unique in the fact that, although it is an “eastern” river, which are typically known in the whitewater world for being steep and narrow, the New can flow at extremely high volumes, taking on characteristics more commonly associated with big western rivers. The river’s elevation drops over 750 feet on its course through the park, with the last 8 miles containing 20 rapids ranging from Class II-V. Rafters get to experience the rush of paddling through world class whitewater, enjoying the views and a swim in the flatwater pools, as well as drifting underneath the 3,000 feet long New River Gorge Bridge.

The New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is an outdoor enthusiast’s playground. No matter what the adventure activity, it can be found here.

BLUSTONE AREA INFORMATION

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 15 miles away. The 70,000 acres New River Gorge National River Park & Preserve, 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.

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.

GREENBRIER RIVER AND RIVER TRAIL

The High Meadow Farm is a 10-minute drive to the lazy Greenbrier River where it empties into the New River at Hinton. The Greenbrier River is 173 miles long is the last free flowing river east of the Mississippi. It is an excellent river to float or canoe and is well known for its large and small mouth bass fishing. It is the gateway to water recreation and fun as it is at most times lazy and easy to navigate.

The Greenbrier River is formed by the confluence of the East Fork Greenbrier River and the West Fork Greenbrier River in the town of Durbin, West Virginia. From Durbin the Greenbrier River flows southwesterly through Pocahontas, Greenbrier, Monroe, and Summers Counties. It flows through several communities including Cass, Marlinton, Hillsboro, Ronceverte, Fort Spring, Alderson, and Hinton. The Greenbrier River joins the New River in the town of Hinton, just 10 minutes away.

The property is a 45 minutes ride to the Greenbrier River Trial and is operated by the West Virginia State Parks. The trail is a 77-mile long former railroad, now used for hiking, bicycling, ski-touring, horseback-riding, and wheel-chair use. The trail passes through numerous small towns and traverses 35 bridges and 2 tunnels as it winds its way along the valley. Most of the trail is adjacent to the free-flowing Greenbrier River and is surrounded by peaks of the Allegheny Mountains.