The Hillcrest WMA — 2,212 Acres of Wilderness Right Past Your Door

Step outside and onto the edge of 2,212 acres of public West Virginia wilderness. Hike, bird-watch, photograph, and explore — or hunt it on your own license — at the Historic Hillcrest Wildlife Management Area, the public land that borders every Hillcrest Retreat property.

Your Backyard Is 2,212 Acres

Most rentals tell you about the nearby attractions. At Hillcrest, the attraction starts the moment you step off the porch.

The Historic Hillcrest Wildlife Management Area — 2,212 acres of protected public land managed by the WV Division of Natural Resources — sits directly against the estate. Because you're already on the edge of it, there's no driving to a trailhead and no scramble for parking; you simply walk out and onto one of the most diverse pieces of public land in the entire northern panhandle. It isn't a nearby park. It's the view past your door, and it's open to everyone.

What Is the Hillcrest WMA

Formerly the Hillcrest Public Hunting and Fishing Area, this 2,212-acre tract in Hancock County was once a working cattle farm before being converted to wildlife habitat and managed by the WVDNR for decades. The terrain runs from flat bottomland to gently rolling upland — elevations of roughly 1,000 to 1,280 feet — with old orchards, crop fields, scattered woodlots, and thick brushy edges that support a remarkable variety of wildlife.

Unlike most West Virginia public land, which is steep forested ridgeline, Hillcrest has an open, rolling farmland character that hunters often compare to the Midwest — and that hikers and nature lovers find is a completely different West Virginia from the rugged mountains further south. Wvoutsider

Hiking & Trails

Seven designated parking areas around the perimeter provide access to the interior, with a wide grass access trail leading in, and the area is lightly traveled. The terrain is gentle and accessible compared to most WV public land — workable for a wide range of ages and fitness levels. A WMA trail map is available through the Avenza Maps app; download it before your trip for offline GPS navigation. Birding Hotspots

Bird Watching

Hillcrest is a recognized birding hotspot in Hancock County. The mix of old orchards, grasslands, brushy edges, and scattered trees supports a wide variety of species through the year — ring-necked pheasant, wild turkey, green heron, indigo bunting, yellow-breasted chat, common yellowthroat, scarlet tanager, and field sparrow among many others. Spring migration and breeding season make April through June especially rewarding. Birding Hotspots

Wildlife Watching & Photography

Beyond the game species, white-tailed deer are commonly seen at dawn and dusk along the field edges, and red fox, coyote, beaver, mink, and muskrat are all present. The open rolling landscape — so different from typical steep, forested WV terrain — makes for extraordinary photography in every season: spring wildflowers in the old orchards, full green grassland in summer, gold and amber woodlot edges in fall, and frost-covered fields tracked with deer in winter.

The Four Seasons at Hillcrest

Spring (April–May) — The WMA comes alive. Wildflowers in the orchards, turkeys gobbling across the fields, migrating birds moving through in waves. The most beautiful season for hikers and naturalists.

Summer (June–August) — Warm-season grasses and planted fields at full height, fawns moving with their does at dusk, bird life at its most vocal. Evening walks as the sun sets over the Ohio River valley below are something city life never provides.

Fall (September–November) — Peak season. Hunting opens across multiple species, the woodlot edges turn gold, deer move actively in the early morning rut, and the rare wild-pheasant season opens. Fall is the premium season at Hillcrest, for the WMA and the estate alike — book early.

Winter (December–March) — The open landscape takes on a different character entirely: snow on the rolling fields, deer tracks crossing woodlot to woodlot, bare orchard trees against a grey sky. A clear winter morning with frost crunching underfoot and no one else in sight is genuinely restorative.

Hunting at Hillcrest WMA

Hillcrest is one of the premier public hunting properties in the northern panhandle, and you hunt it on your own West Virginia license, the same as any member of the public. The game includes white-tailed deer, wild turkey, rabbit, squirrel, mourning dove, grouse, and — most notably — one of the few remaining self-sustaining wild ring-necked pheasant populations in the state, which the WVDNR manages the habitat specifically to sustain. A 100-yard shooting range is located within the WMA for sighting in before season; confirm current range hours with the WVDNR. Grokipedia + 2

Hillcrest carries special deer and pheasant regulations that differ from statewide rules, so always confirm current seasons, legal methods, and bag limits at wvdnr.gov before your hunt. For everything a hunter needs — gear storage, game-cleaning area, early check-in, late checkout — see our Hillcrest Hunter's Base Camp page.

Getting to the WMA From Your Stay

Because the estate borders the WMA, you reach it on foot from the property — no car, no parking lot.

• Hillcrest Manor Cottage — the WMA edge is right past the porch and hot tub.
• Skyview Cabin — sits on the upper field along the WMA boundary; step off the field and onto the edge of the public land.
• Farmhouse Pub Unit — a short walk from the farmhouse grounds to the WMA edge. Add a morning walk before heading back for a pint.

What to Bring

• For hunting: a valid WV hunting license (wvhunt.com), hunter orange during firearms seasons, and current regulations from wvdnr.gov.
• For hiking & nature: comfortable boots (field grass is wet in the morning), binoculars, a camera, and insect repellent in summer.
• For everyone: water, and the Avenza WMA map downloaded for offline use.

Nearby Outdoor Recreation

• Tomlinson Run State Park — 5 minutes. 1,398 acres of forested park with trails, a stocked lake, fishing, and camping — a completely different landscape from the open WMA, minutes away.
• The Ohio River — 10 minutes. Bass, catfish, and walleye on the upper river. Ask us about seasonal pontoon outings offered with select stays.
• Mountaineer Casino & Resort — 15 minutes, for evenings when the wilderness gives way to a different kind of entertainment.

The Hillcrest Wildlife Management Area is public land managed by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and is open to all members of the public year round. As we do not maintain the grounds the grass may be high at certain times of the year. Long pants and bug spray are recommended. As with any public land in West Virginia, visitors are welcome to walk and explore on foot. During active hunting seasons we recommend guests wear blaze orange as a courtesy and safety measure. Please respect hunters, pack out all trash, and follow all posted WMA rules. Hunting and fishing licenses are required for those activities — contact WVDNR at wvdnr.gov for current regulations.

Ready to Experience the Hillcrest Wilderness

[Book the Hillcrest Manor Cottage — from $169/night] · [Reserve the Skyview Cabin — from $395/night] · [Ask About Hunter Packages] · [View All Hillcrest Retreat Experiences]

Hillcrest Retreat · Chester, West Virginia 26034 · Hosted by Brian and Charlene Mahaffey · Adjacent to Historic Hillcrest Wildlife Management Area — 2,212 acres of public West Virginia wilderness