Ashland WMA

Businesses are working with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to provide more outdoors opportunities to the public. The latest example is a joint venture between the department and Ashland, Inc., to open some 3,200 acres of spectacular mountain vistas in Lee County.

The Ashland Wildlife Management Area (WMA) quietly opened to the public last fall. The property, which is located south of Natural Bridge State Resort Park, offers the same mix of rugged cliff lines and mixed hardwood forest as the park.

“It’s a beautiful area. The property is absolutely gorgeous,” said Jeff Roberts, Ashland Inc.’s operations manager for environmental health and safety.

The area once was managed for oil production, and several old oil rigs may still be seen on the property.

Ashland Inc. retains ownership of the property. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife manages it for wildlife. Ashland Inc. officials are working closely with the department to build waterholes, plant food plots, erect bird boxes and make other improvements for wildlife. Roberts said the joint venture is similar to a cooperative agreement between the department and his company on 1,400 acres of land it owns in Johnson County.

State Wildlife Biologist Brian Gray said the area has deer, turkey, grouse, quail and songbirds. Roberts said visitors have occasionally spotted a black bear in the area.

Ashland WMA is open under statewide hunting regulations. Gray cautions that getting around some parts of the WMA may be difficult because the property contains a significant amount of thick growth due to past selective timber harvest. The area has thick stands of mountain laurel and rhododendron.

However, Roberts notes that the area contains numerous old logging roads and oil well access roads. These roads are open to foot traffic only.

This wildlife management area, while free and open to the public, has several restrictions on use. All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are not allowed. Visitors cannot use the area for rock climbing, camping or horseback riding. The area does not offer fishing opportunities. The large, privately owned ponds are not part of the WMA and are not open to the public.

Still, if you’re looking for a good winter hiking experience and want to avoid the crowds at Natural Bridge, give Ashland WMA a visit.

- Dave Baker

How to get there: From Stanton, take the Mountain Parkway east to Slade at exit 33. Turn south on KY 11 toward Beattyville. Pass the Lee County line and look for Fixer Road (Forest Road 226) on the right (west). This road follows a ridge top and is the best place to access trails to the tops of the cliff lines. Vehicles cannot go off maintained roads anywhere within this WMA.

For other access points, continue south on KY 11 and turn right onto Cave Fork Road. This is a valley road. The turnoff for Chamane Oil Road is further south. This gated entrance is for foot traffic only. Chamane Oil Road follows a ridge top.