Hensley-Pine Mountain Wildlife Management Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Hensley-Pine Mountain Wildlife Management Area is a popular destination in the state of Kentucky for visitors who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting.
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Summary
The management area spans over 15,000 acres and is located in Letcher County, near the town of Whitesburg.
One of the reasons to visit Hensley-Pine Mountain Wildlife Management Area is to experience its diverse range of wildlife, including black bears, deer, turkey, and bobcats. Specific points of interest to see include the Bad Branch Falls State Nature Preserve, which features a 60-foot waterfall, and the Pine Mountain Trail, which offers scenic views of the surrounding mountains.
Interesting facts about Hensley-Pine Mountain Wildlife Management Area include its role in preserving the natural habitats of many endangered species, such as the Indiana bat and the Virginia big-eared bat. Additionally, the management area is home to the largest stand of virgin timber in the eastern United States.
The best time of year to visit Hensley-Pine Mountain Wildlife Management Area is during the spring and fall months, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most colorful. However, visitors should be aware that hunting is allowed in the area during certain times of year, so it is important to check the official website for any closures or restrictions before planning a trip.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Jefferson National Forest
Kingdom Come State Park
Phillips Creek Day Use Area