Bluestone Wildlife Management Area park
Bluestone Wildlife Management Area
There are several specific points of interest to see in the Bluestone Wildlife Management Area. The Bluestone River is a popular spot for fishing and boating, while the Bluestone Lake offers a variety of water-based activities, including kayaking, paddle-boarding, and swimming. The area is also home to several hiking trails, including the Bluestone Turnpike Trail and the Bluestone Gorge Trail. Visitors can also explore the area's historic sites, including the Bluestone Dam and the Bluestone National Scenic River.
Interesting facts about the Bluestone Wildlife Management Area include that it covers over 17,000 acres and was established in 1974. The area is also home to several endangered and threatened species, including the Virginia big-eared bat and the Indiana bat.
The best time of year to visit the Bluestone Wildlife Management Area depends on the specific activities you are interested in. Spring and summer are popular times for fishing, boating, and hiking, while fall is a great time for hunting and bird watching. Winter offers opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Visitors should check the weather forecast before arriving, as the area is prone to flooding during heavy rainfall.
Overall, the Bluestone Wildlife Management Area is a beautiful and diverse natural reserve that offers a range of activities and sights for visitors to enjoy.
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- National Park
- 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 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.
- 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.
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Area campgrounds
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within reach of Bluestone Wildlife Management Area, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanklins Ferry - Bluestone Wma | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Cedar Branch - Bluestone Wma | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Keatley - Bluestone Wma | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Gentrys Landing | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Mouth Of Indian Creek - Bluestone Wma | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Indian Mills - Bluestone Wma | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Bluestone Wildlife Management Area as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Bluestone Wildlife Management Area
What can I do at Bluestone Wildlife Management Area?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Bluestone Wildlife Management Area?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other parks near here
Snoflo-tracked parks within driving distance of Bluestone Wildlife Management Area.