Barnum Whitewater Area

Owned by the Army Corp of Engineers and leased by Mineral County Parks and Recreation. The area consists of approximately 40 acres and is accessible by US Rt. 50, east-west to the junction of WV Rt. 42 at Saddle Mountain Overlook, then five miles north to Elk Garden and the junction of WV Rt. 46, then east on Rt. 46 to signs for Jennings Randolph Lake, continuing past Jennings Randolph Lake Campgrounds approximately 1.5 miles on Rt. 46. Follow Barnum Whitewater  signs to the Barnum Whitewater Area.

 

Recreation Available:

Rail/Trail

  • User Type: 4.1 miles (Foot, bike, horse, and cross country skiing – No motorized vehicles
  • Terrain: Old rail bed with a gravel path –  Relatively flat trail

Fishing

  • Access point to fish on the North Branch of the Potomac River                   Below Jennings Randolph Lake – There is approximately one mile of river frontage along the old CSX railway – The North Branch is stocked by West Virginia and Maryland Department of Natural Resources       starting in January – Brown, brook, rainbow and golden trout are stocked on a regular basis – West Virginia and Maryland fishing licenses are both legal on the North Branch and Jennings Randolph Lake - There is approximately one mile of river frontage along the old CSX railway

Hunting

  • Public hunting on surrounding state lands

Whitewater Rafting

  • The North Branch of the Potomac is a whitewater rafting river for the entire family - Whitewater releases from the Jennings Randolph Lake provide Class I, II, and III rapids in close succession and are comprised of waves and rollers up to six feet high - Trip length is seven miles. The launching area is located in the Barnum Whitewater Area (BWA). Parking and restroom facilities are available at the launch site. There is a $5.00 per person fee for all individuals entering BWA on release dates – Release dates are schedules in April, May and June – Maximum flow is 1500 CFS during a release
  • 2024 White Water Rafting Release Dates are:
    • April 6-7
    • April 20-21
    • May 4-5
    • May 18-19
  • 2024 Artificial Varied Flow Release Dates are:
    • August 24-25
    • September 21-22

Cabins

  • There are ten primitive cabins available for rent – Each cabin is furnished with the following:  electric service, plywood bunk beds, table/chairs, stainless steel counter, and electric heater – fire/barbecue pits and picnic tables are available – A water less restroom facility is located in the parking area – Cabin fees are $35.00 per night for small cabins which sleep four to six and $56.00 per night  for larger cabins which sleep eight to ten

Tent Sites

  • Nine sites available on a first come basis – Tent fee is $10 per night -    Fire/barbecue pits and picnic tables are available

Ready to Stay?

To book a cabin visit http://www.barnumcabins.com or call (304)788-5732

Online Booking

Directions to Barnum Whitewater Area

Directions to BWA from Interstate 68 

  1. Exit Interstate 68 at Cumberland, MD
  2. Take Green Street exit off of Interstate 68 (US Route 220 South) to Keyser, WV – Approximately 20 miles
  3. Follow US 220 South through Keyser to the intersection with US Route 50 – Approximately 7 miles **
  4. Take US Route 50 West to intersection of Route 42 – Approximately 7 miles (just past Saddle Mountain overlook)
  5. Take Route 42 West to Elk Garden, WV – Approximately 5 miles
  6. At Elk Garden take Route 46 East to the Barnum Whitewater Area Road – Approximately 5 miles (Jennings Randolph Lake will be on your left)
  7. Follow Barnum Road to parking area – Approximately 2-1/2 miles

**Look for Jennings Randolph Lake signs off  of  US Route 50

 

Directions to BWA from Maryland 68 

  1. Exit34 on Maryland Route 36 at 39º 37' 57.33" N; 78º 55' 4.0"W 14.9 miles
  2. Turn right on to Maryland Rt. 135 at 39º 29' 02.72" N; 79º 02' 48.43" W 1.8 miles
  3. Turn left on to WV route 46 at 39º28' 48.94" N; 79º 3' 57.13" 5.4 miles
  4. Turn right on to WV Route 46/2 (Barnum Road at 39º 25' 48.83" N;79º 05' 31.55"1.8 miles
  5. Barnum, WV at 39º 26' 30.55" N; 79º 06' 53.16"

 

Directions to BWA from Interstate 81 

  1. Take US Route 50 West exit at Winchester, VA
  2. Follow US route 50 West to Romney, WV – Approximately 60 miles
  3. Continue on US Route 50 to intersection of US Route 50 and Route 42 West –
  4. Approximately 25 miles West of Romney
  5. Follow Route 42 to Elk Garden, WV – Approximately 5 miles
  6. At Elk Garden take Route 46 East to the Barnum Whitewater Area Road –
  7. Approximately 5 miles (Jennings Randolph Lake will be on your left)
  8. Follow Barnum Road to parking area – Approximately 2-1/2 miles

 

Source of coordinates:  Google Earth