Ramseys Draft Wilderness

A "draft," according to local custom, is a creek or stream, and this Wilderness is named after its main drainage, a native eastern brook trout stream. Ramseys Draft Wilderness is a rugged and steep piece of land on the eastern side of Shenandoah Mountain, a region filled with memories of America's Civil War. Among the variety of plants you may see are some virgin hardwoods and hemlocks standing in the upper elevations and a more typical Appalachian forest of tulip poplar, red oak, and basswood in the remainder of the area. Eight trails totaling 24 miles lie within or along the border of this Wilderness. Ramseys Draft Trail, 6.8 miles, provides the primary access and crosses the draft several times. The Wilderness lies in Augusta County in west central Virginia and is managed as part of the North River Ranger District of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. Group size is limited to 10 people per party, and maximum length of stay is 21 days within any 31-day period.