Bluestone Wildlife Management Area (also known as Bluestone Lake Wildlife Management Area) is a wildlife management area in southern West Virginia surrounding Bluestone Lake and the New River. 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. All together, the WMA comprises of land and water.
The wildlife management area is operated by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Section to provide hunting and fishing opportunities to the public and to protect the natural resources of the land. The land is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and leased to WVDNR.
Recreation With the exception of camping, there are no fees for using the Wildlife Management Area. Day-use recreational opportunities include: Fishing (with required state license), including stocked trout on Indian Creek Hunting (with required state license) Hiking with of trails Horseback riding Canoeing Boating Rock climbing
Free boat launches provide access to Indian Creek, the New River, and Bluestone Lake.
Camping There are seven camping areas spread along of the New River and Bluestone Lake. All together, these sites provide 330 primitive campsites: Bertha – 55 lakefront sites Bull Falls – 15 lakefront sites Cedar Branch – 45 riverside sites Indian Mills – 15 sites Keatley – 15 sites Mouth of Indian Creek – 94 riverside sites Shanklin's Ferry – 91 riverside sites
Sherman Ballard Recreation Area The Sherman Ballard Recreation Area has a cabin and barn which offers rustic accommodations. The cabin is an open air construction offering five bunk beds sets, a full kitchen, full enclosed bathroom, and covered porch.
The barn is the only one in the West Virginia State Parks system allowing users to bring their own horses rather than renting horses from a concessionaire. At one time, WVDNR biologists tried to ban horses from the WMA but were rebutted by a public outcry.
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