Ritchie Mines Wildlife Management Area

The 2,300-acre Ritchie Mines Wildlife Management Area (WMA) ranges across steep, wooded ridges north of McFarlan Creek, a tributary of the south fork of the Hughes River. Game traditionally hunted in the management area includes deer, grouse, squirrel, raccoon, and turkey. The management area is so-named for the Ritchie Mines, at which rare natural asphalt was mined in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Camping is prohibited in the management area.

Directions: Ritchie Mines Wildlife Management Area is located in southwestern Ritchie County south of Cairo, WV, and east of Elizabeth, WV (in Wirt County). Access to the northern portion of the area is by highway Washburn-Gillespie Road (CR-17) and McFarlan Creek Road (WV-17/4) at Mellin, WV. The southern portion may be reached by way of Hughes River Road (highway WV-47) and McFarlan Road (CR-30) at Macfarlan, WV.

Ritchie Mines WMA is managed by the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources. It was formerly known as the Ritchie Mines Public Hunting & Fishing Area. The Hughes Wildlife Management Area is located approximately 10 miles west of the Ritchie Mines WMA.

Hotels near Ritchie Mines WMA

Cairo (WV) Lodging
Elizabeth (WV) Lodging

Regional Information

Further information on lodging, dining, and recreation near Ritchie Mines Wildlife Management Area may be found in our guide to travel in the Heartland Region in central West Virginia, in which the management area is located.