South Branch Wildlife Management Area

The South Branch Wildlife Management Area (WMA) includes four tracts in the narrow valley region of the South Branch of the Potomac River known as The Trough. Game traditionally hunted among the tracts includes deer, dove, fox, squirrel, and turkey, and the South Branch accommodates fishing for bass, panfish, and catfish. Camping is prohibited on all management-area tracts.

The southernmost tract, the 430-acre McNeill Tract, ranges across pastures on the South Branch River and forests that ascend the flank of Sawmill Ridge, which forms the eastern wall of The Trough. The 25-acre Bridge Tract follows the narrow, steep mountainside north of Sycamore Bridge, the southernmost railroad tressle that crosses the South Branch. The 602-acre Trough Club Tract ranges across steep, forested mountainside north of the Bridge Tract and is accessible only by river. The 35-acre Sector Tract ranges across bottomland fields on the northern end of The Trough on the western bank of the river below River Ridge, which forms the western wall of The Trough.

Directions: The McNeil and Bridge tracts, at the southern end of The Trough, are located approximately seven miles north of Moorefield, WV, in Hardy County. From Moorefield, follow highway US-220 north to a leftt turn onto Cunningham Lane (CR-1/5). Follow the later east one mile to a lefthand turn onto Trough Road (CR-6). Proceed four miles to a lefthand turn onto Clover Drive and the entrance to the southern tracts. The Sector Tract, at the northern end of The Trough, is located approximately 10 miles south of Romney, WV, in Hampshire County. From Romney, follow highway US-220 south 12 miles to a lefthand turn onto Stringtown Road (CR-8/3) and proceed approximately four miles to Sector, WV.

The South Branch WMA is managed by the W.Va. Division of Natural Resources. It was formerly known as the South Branch Public Hunting & Fishing Area.

Hotels near the South Branch WMA

Romney (WV) Hotels
Moorefield (WV) Hotels

Regional Information

Further information on lodging, dining, and recreation near South BranchWildlife Management Area may be found in our guide to travel in the Potomac Branches Region in eastern West Virginia, in which the management area is located.