Maywood Forest, with 23 acres +/-, is near to six rivers, three lakes, an 80,000-acre National Park & Preserve, five State Parks, a 10,000-acre WMA, and a one-million-acre National Forest.

HIGHLIGHTS

• 23 +/- acre multi-use parcel
• Superb recreational opportunities in the heart of the New River Gorge water sports mecca
• Near to 6 rivers and 3 lakes including the New River, Meadow River, Gauley River, Cherry River, Cranberry River, and Greenbrier River, Summersville Lake, Summit Lake and Bluestone Lake
• Close to the 70,000 acre New River Gorge National Park and Preserve – America’s newest National Park
• 10 minutes to Rainelle and town amenities
• Two hours to Charleston, the State Capitol and WV’s largest metro area and jet service
• A rewarding off-grid permaculture lifestyle can be developed
• Cell phone coverage is good with LTE service
• Near to higher population areas of Charleston, Pittsburgh, DC, Blacksburg, Roanoke, Beckley, Princeton and Lewisburg, jet airports, and major interstates
• Interior trails provide access to nearly every corner of the property
• Potential for numerous cabin sites
• Ideal for shooting sports, ATV riding, horseback riding, hiking, camping, hunting and nature viewing
• Elevations range from 3034’ to 3314 ′
• Potential conservation value
• Low taxes, low population density, little or no light pollution
•  Survey is to be completed prior to closing

LOCATION

Google Coordinates: 37.975073°(N), -80.799365°(W)
Address: Maywood Road, Rainelle, WV 25962. No 911 address is assigned to property without structures.
Elevation Range: 3034 ft. to 3314 ft. +/-

From Rainelle, WV:  3.3 miles +/- (10 minutes +/-)

From the intersection of US 60 and Rt. 20 at Rainelle Medical Center; travel US 60 West for 2.2 miles; turn right onto Maywood Road; travel 1.1 mile; the property is on the left.

FOREST/TIMBER RESOURCES

The property’s 23-acre timber component has been professionally managed over many decades.  The predominant timber stand of the forest contains 22 acres of naturally regenerated 2 year-old stems and 1 acre of mature timber associated with the riparian zone along the creek.

The forest was harvested in 2021 using a total regeneration harvest and an excellent stand of vigorously growing 2 year old hardwood trees has been well established.  The forest’s predominately well-drained upland terrain has led to a resource dominated by hardwood species. Overall, the species composition is highly desirable and favors Appalachian hardwood types, consisting primarily of White Oak/Chestnut Oak, Red Oak Group, Poplar/Cucumber/Basswood, Sugar Maple/Soft Maple and a host of associate species.

A few trees scattered about are well over 100 years old and classify as “Heritage Trees”. These amazing trees have withstood the test of time and lend an air of grace and permanency to the property.

The young forest is healthy and there are no signs of pest infestations of Gypsy Moth. The Emerald Ash Borer and the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid are present and the majority of the Ash and Hemlock trees are severely stressed and will die out over the next decade. There have been no forest fires in the recent memory.

WILDLIFE IN WEST VIRGINIA

Maywood Forest offers a diverse wildlife habitat. Long-term management goals in WV have promoted overall wildlife health, facilitated the harvest of game, developed wildlife viewing areas, increased carrying capacity, and increased species diversity.

The nearby rivers and lakes are major contributors to the local ecosystem richness and diversity for both plants and animals. There are many animals that live year round, and at other times, in the water and around the edges of the rivers/lakes, including beavers, otters, minks, raccoons, opossums, blue herons, Canada geese, wood ducks, mallards, king fishers, minnows, native fish, turtles, salamanders, newts, crayfish, muskrats, bull frogs, eagles, owls, hawks and redwing blackbirds.

Great fishing is found in the rivers and lakes with small and large mouth bass, crappie, catfish, muskie, walleye, pike and bluegill are present in good numbers.

There is the insect and microscopic world including grasshoppers, butterflies, dragonflies, pond skaters, water beetles, damselflies, tadpoles and various insect larve.

West Virginia’s diverse tree species, coupled with the abundant water supply from the rivers and lakes, as well as the numerous ephemeral streams and creeks, create the perfect wildlife habitat. The miles of “edge effect” created between the regeneration harvest areas, utility easement, roads, creeks, hollows, farm fields, ridges, and rock outcrops benefit all the resident wildlife. Bald eagles, white tail deer, black bear, wild turkey, squirrel, rabbit, bobcat, raccoon, fox and many species of songbirds, owls and raptors make up the resident wildlife population.

West Virginia’s hardwood forests provides the essential nutrient source and produces tons of hard mast including acorns, hickory nuts, beech nuts and black walnuts. Soft mast includes stag horn sumac, black cherry, tulip poplar seeds, maple seeds, autumn olive berries and blackberries.

WATER

There are several ephemeral creeks that flow during periods of rain and snow melt. There is also a nice dashed blueline stream that flows more steadily during the winter and spring.

MINERAL RESOURCES

Various minerals have been reserved and conveyed by prior deeds of record. This is a Surface Only conveyance.

BOUNDARIES AND SURVEY

The property will be surveyed for the sale deed to separate it from a large tract of land. The property is being sold by the boundary and not by the acre.

UTILITIES

Water: A well could be drilled
Sewer: Private sewer could be installed
Electricity: At roadside
Telephone: At roadside
Internet: May be available through phone line or satellite service
Cellphone Coverage: Good with LTE

ACCESS/FRONTAGE

The property has over 1/10 mile of frontage on Maywood Road Rt. 60/19.

ZONING

Fayette 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

The property has been used as forestland.

(This summary 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: Part of the property in DB 743 Pg. 671
Fayette County, West Virginia
Acreage: 23 acres +/-, sale area to be determined by boundary survey

Real Estate Tax ID/Acreage/Taxes:
Fayette County (10), West Virginia
New Haven District (1)
Tax Map 84 part of Parcel 1; Class 3

2022 Real Estate Taxes: Portion of a very large tax parcel.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Fayette County School District
Public Elementary School:
Meadow Bridge Elementary School

Public Middle School:
Oak Hill Middle School

Public High School:
Midland Trail High School

Fayette Institute of Technology is located in Oak Hill while West Virginia University and New River Community & Technical College maintain campuses at Beckley, WV.

RECREATION AT MAYWOOD FOREST

Maywood Forest offers many recreational opportunities. Numerous soft recreational activities are anchored by the proximity to the recreation mecca of the New River Gorge.

Nature viewing – Attentive wildlife management has been geared not just to 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-Astrophotography
Complete to semi-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 New River, Gauley River, and Cherry River ideal for swimming, rafting, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, tubing, snorkeling, paddle boarding and windsurfing. The 5 rivers and the 3000 acre Summersville Lake and 2000 acre Bluestone Lake are all within an easy one hour’s drive. Great fishing is found in the 5 rivers and both lakes. Species include small and large mouth bass, crappie, catfish, muskie, walleye, pike and bluegill.

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
Maywood Forest has several forest trails that are perfect for experiencing the property from an ATV or UTV, and Rock Crawlers. These exciting machines handle the wide variety of the forest’s 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
Along with ATV riding, existing forest trails may 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, 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.

SIX RIVERS AND TWO LAKES

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.

The rivers and lakes are in proximity to the property: Maywood Forest is located in the heart of the recreational mecca area encompassing the Meadow River, New River, Greenbrier River, Gauley River, Cherry River and Bluestone River. Within this vast watershed lies the 2000-acre Bluestone Lake and 3000-acre Summersville Lake.

The nearby rivers and lakes are major contributors to the local ecosystem richness and diversity for both plants and animals. There are many animals that live year round and at other times in the water and around the edges of the rivers/lake, including beavers, otters, minks, raccoons, opossums, blue herons, Canada geese, wood ducks, mallards, king fishers, minnows, native fish, turtles, salamanders, newts, crayfish, muskrats, bull frogs, eagles, owls, hawks and over one hundred species of birds.

Great fishing is found in the rivers with small and large mouth bass, crappie, catfish, muskie, walleye, pike and bluegill present in good numbers.

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.

Bluestone Lake is over 2000 acres at summer pool and is the state’s third largest body of water. Great hunting and fishing opportunities abound at the 17,632-acre Bluestone Wildlife Area adjacent to the park and nearby Camp Creek State Forest. Summersville Lake is over 3000 acres at summer pool and is the state’s largest body of water.

CARBON SEQUESTRATION

Maywood Forest is a tremendous 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 Oxygen.

SELF-SUSTAINING LIFE OFF THE GRID

Just like 150 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 mountain springs or drilled wells
• The forest would provide fresh food (deer, and turkey)
• The flat to rolling land could be cleared for agricultural land 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 forest would provide firewood for heating and cooking

MEET YOUR AREA NEIGHBORS

Beury Mountain Wildlife Management Area –
Beury Mountain Wildlife Management Area is located on 9,232 acres near Babcock State Park and New River Gorge National River in Fayette County, West Virginia. Beury Mountain’s sloping terrain is covered with mixed hardwoods and oak-hickory second growth woodlands overlooking New River Gorge. Beury Mountain Wildlife Management is comprised of large and broad mountaintop plateaus. Its gently sloping ridges and logging trails make foot travel easy. Wildlife abounds with grouse, deer, turkeys, squirrels and bears. Fishing for brook trout is available in Buffalo Creek. Camping is not allowed at Beury Mountain WMA, but is available at nearby Babcock State Park.

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve – America’s Newest National Park!
One of the most exciting destinations for hiking, biking, climbing, and paddling in the eastern U.S., the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve was established by the National Park Service in 1978 and includes more than 80,000 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.

Babcock State Park
Babcock State Park and its 4,127 acres of rhododendron-lined trails and rippling, rock-strewn streams is one of West Virginia’s most iconic locations. Located 20 miles south of the New River Gorge Bridge, the park is most known for the Glade Creek Grist Mill, a fully functional replica of the original Cooper’s Mill, located nearby. Babcock State Park campground has 52 single-family campsites for tents, trailers or RVs. The campground has 28 sites with electric hookups for trailers and RVs. Visitors can enjoy hiking the many trails through the mountains, canyons and along the river. Outdoor recreation includes hiking, biking, fishing, wildlife viewing and exploring historic sites like the Glad Creek Grist Mill.

Boys Scouts of America
Across the New River Gorge from the Maywood Forest Forest is some 12,000 wildland acres belonging to the Boy Scouts of America Summit Bechtel Reserve. The BSA property is part of “The Summit”, a 12,000 acre Scouting and adventure center for the millions of youth and adults involved in the Boy Scouts of America. The Summit is home to the National Scout Jamboree and recently hosted the World Jamboree in 2019.

SURROUNDING AREA

Maywood Forest is in one of the most popular outdoor-recreation destination areas in West Virginia — a paradise of natural and cultural amenities found in few other places in the eastern U.S. More than a million visitors toured the region in 2017, according to the National Park Service, white water rafting, zip lining, climbing rocks, paddling streams, hiking, biking, and running miles of scenic trail.

As a result of unrivaled access to recreation, the Boy Scouts of America established its National Jamboree site here. 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 (https://www.adventuresonthegorge.com/), 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 Fayetteville, a drive of five minutes from the villa. Other exceptional eateries and retail destinations are located an hour-half  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 a drive of just more than an hour, including three at The Greenbrier,  and Oakhurst Links, the first course built in the U.S.

The region is easy to access. As remote as the region may seem, an expressway courses through its center, spanning the gorge by way of the New River Gorge Bridge only two miles away. Interstates 77 and 64 are only a hour’s drive to the south and I-79 is an hour – half drive to the north. Amtrak passenger stations on the Chicago-New York route are located an hour’s drive south near Beckley and an hour – half drive east and west at Charleston and White Sulphur Springs. Airports are located in Beckley, Charleston and Lewisburg.

Fayette County
Recreation is a high-income producer for Fayette County and the bordering counties of Nicholas, Summers and Greenbrier, located in southern West Virginia, renowned for its dramatic landscapes, small communities, and outdoor recreation amenities. White water rafting, the 80,000-acre New River National Park, 4,000 acre Babcock State Park, 9,000 acre Beury Mt. Wildlife Management Area, 14,000 acre Boy Scout High Adventure Camp, ACE Adventures OTG and many other attractions bring the out-of- area and out-of-state population to the area. Along with this, many people want to have a vacation spot, recreation home or other tie to the area. Hunting and fishing is very popular as well as ATV adventuring on the Hatfield-McCoy Trail.

Town of Fayetteville
Fayetteville’s historic district is both charming and one of the most attractive locations for outfitters shops, boutique shops, and specialty restaurants in West Virginia. More than a dozen antiques shops were operating in the Fayetteville area in summer 2017, and five independent restaurants in the district were offering an outstanding selection of unique cuisine. Fayetteville is central to the travel-destination area as well as the legal center of the Fayette County. Its population in 2014 was estimated at 2,892. Bridgeview Estates is with Fayetteville’s corporate boundary.

City of Oak Hill
Oak Hill is Fayette County’s largest municipality and its economic center. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 7,730. Plateau Medical Center, the largest hospital in the county, is located off the US-19 expressway on Main Street in its downtown. The city has recently increased its investment in recreational and quality-of-life improvements and has acquired land for the new outdoor-adventure park approaching the edge of the New River Gorge.

The Summit: Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve
The Summit Bechtel Reserve is the home of the National Scout Jamboree and hosted the World Jamboree in 2018. Furthermore, it is the national leadership center for the Boy Scouts of America as well as one of the organization’s five high-adventure bases. More than 60,000 visitors attended the World Jamboree in 2018.

Hawks Nest State Park
Nestled in the heart of whitewater rafting country, Hawks Nest State Park is a 270-acre recreational area with a nature museum, aerial tramway, jetboat rides, hiking trails and one of the most challenging whitewater boating waterways in the nation. The park’s clifftop overlook along U.S. Route 60 provides a scenic vista of the New River, some 750 feet below. Its 31-room lodge offers luxurious rooms, dining and spacious conference and meeting facilities. Located near Ansted in Fayette County, about 10 miles north of the New River Gorge Bridge, Hawks Nest is known for its scenic overlook, which provides a bird’s eye view of the rugged New River Gorge National River.

Camp Washington Carver
Camp Washington-Carver is a beautiful retreat listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This Fayette County complex is a group of buildings and facilities that have achieved exceptional importance within the past 50 years as the focus of cultural activities and events significant in West Virginia’s black history. Originally named The Negro 4-H Camp when it was dedicated in 1942, Washington-Carver served from 200 to 1,600 black youth in vocational agriculture, soil conservation, home economics and 4-H standards. Camp Washington-Carver, a Mountain Cultural Arts Center located at Clifftop in Fayette County, West Virginia, programs a summer season of events from music concerts to theater. The facility may also be rented for family reunions, company picnics, weddings and other private activities.

AREA HISTORY

The earliest people in the New River area were the generations of the American Indians; believed to be the Shawnee, Cherokee, and Delaware tribes. In the 1750s and early 1800s, settlers made their way into the area. In the middle 1800s, the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad made its way into the New River Gorge, making a major travel corridor along the river.

Halfway down the side of the gorge was a thick seam of bituminous coal of such high grade it was considered to be smokeless because of the very low content of impurities and burned clean. The existence of this and other coal seams throughout the region made coal a “King” industry in the state of West Virginia for many years. Coal was mined in the gorge, taken down to the river, loaded in train cars for shipment or placed into the many beehive ovens along the railroad tracks to make coke. The very high-grade coal burned with great heat. The coal that was shipped out was highly desired to heat homes in the northeast United States, use in the steel making industry, and fire boilers in ships throughout the world. The coke that was made by the beehive ovens in the gorge had very low levels of impurities and produced very high temperatures when burned in the United States steel-making industry. Some trains leaving the gorge carried only the smokeless bituminous coal while others carried only the highly needed coke.

During the 60 some years of active coal mining and coal coking in the gorge, from the late 1800s through the 1940s, there were over 20 active communities spaced about ¼ mile apart along the New River in the gorge. Most were accessible only by railroad. To travel from one town to the next, folks either caught one of the many train trips or walked the railroad.

Most of the coal miners and their families lived in the towns along the railroad by the river. Those families depended on daily living supplies as brought in by train and sold at the company stores. However, some miners and their families lived on the flat land at the top of the gorge where they could travel by road and could farm the land.

These neighboring lands and towns were named for large and important people and companies in the history of the area, such as Babcock Coal and Coke Company, Joseph L. Beury, who started mining operations in the New River area in the 1870s, the mining town of Beury, West Virginia, and Sewell Lumber Company. A little distance away was the community of Nuttallburg, associated with John Nuttall, one of the earliest mining pioneers, who came to the New River area in the 1870s. The Nuttall mine was sold to the Fordson Coal Company, owned by Henry Ford. The Nuttallburg area is a current scenic attraction. Much of the property in the area still remains in the Nuttall family.