The Shenandoah Mountain National Scenic Area (NSA) will protect the scenic, cultural, historic, recreational, and natural resources of the Shenandoah Mountain area between Rt. 250 and Rt. 33. The NSA, once designated by Congress, will preserve these values and allow all forms of recreation including hunting, fishing, mountain biking and driving motor vehicles, while protecting the area from logging, road-building, mining and drilling, wind development, and other activities that would mar the natural character and degrade the recreational opportunities of the area.
The strongest protection of Wilderness is recommended for the following places on Shenandoah Mountain, inside the NSA:
- Bald Ridge addition to Ramsey's Draft
- Lynn Hollow
- Little River
- Skidmore Fork
Two additional areas are included in the Shenandoah Mountain Proposal. Laurel Fork, a biologically-rich roadless area in Highland County, is a proposed Wilderness area, and Kelley Mountain in Augusta County is a proposed National Scenic Area.
Boundaries for the proposed Scenic and Wilderness Areas exclude all private land. The boundaries apply to federal land only; private landowners will continue to have access to their property and will retain all rights.
All current roads will remain open for access.
See our Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about the definitions of Wilderness and National Scenic Areas.
SUPPORT THE SHENANDOAH MOUNTAIN PROPOSAL
We are currently seeking endorsements for this proposal from local or state groups, businesses, and organizations. See Friends of Shenandoah Mountain for additional details about the proposal, and learn how to join the list of supporters.