Bluestone Wildlife Management Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Bluestone Wildlife Management Area is a natural reserve located in the state of Virginia, USA.
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Summary
There are several good reasons to visit this area, including a variety of recreational activities such as hunting, fishing, hiking, and bird watching. The area is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including deer, turkey, and black bears. Visitors can also explore the area's wetlands, which are home to a variety of waterfowl, including ducks and geese.
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.
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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.
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