Allegheny Wildlife Management Area

From West Virginia (WV) Cyclopedia

Mineral County: 4 m SW of Keyser, WV

The Allegheny Wildlife Management Area (WMA) includes two separate tracts of oak and hickory forest on the western edge of Mineral County. The larger tract, 4,522 acres, runs along the crest of the Allegheny Front and is accessible from Pinnacle Road (Route 4) and Pine Swamp Road (Route 220/2). Its terrain is relatively flat and rocky mountaintop with laurel thickets and a steep side-slope descending into foothills and hollows. The smaller tract, 1,168-acres, is located along five miles of the North Branch of the Potomac River, approximately six-miles north of Elk Garden, and is accessible from WV Route 46 and Barnum Road (Route 46/3). This smaller management area protects ridge-top forest with steep hillsides. Wide areas on the ridge and along the stream contain old-field habitat. White-tailed deer, black bear, turkey, squirrel and ruffed grouse are among the game species found in the Allegheny WMA. Bobcat, raccoon, and red and gray fox are also habitant. A cold water release from Jennings Randolph Lake allows the North Branch to offer year-round trout fishing. Camping is prohibited. Information provided by WVDNR.

Lodging: Keyser, WV, Hotels (http://wvexplorer.com/Keyser_WV_Hotels.asp)

Allegheny WMA Maps: Map (http://www.wvamaps.com/maps/index.php?place=Allegheny%20Wildlife%20Management%20Area&state=WV&lon=-79.0689&lat=39.3958&pop=0&county=Mineral&elev=3000&scale=3) : Topo Map (http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=39.39583&lon=-79.06889) : Aerial Photo (http://terraserver-usa.com/image.aspx?S=12&T=1&lat=39.39583&lon=-79.06889) : WV Maps (http://www.wvamaps.com/maps/index.php?place=Keyser&state=WV&pop=5303&county=Mineral&lat=39.4408&lon=-78.9742&elev=810)