Hanging out at the western edge of the Chesapeake Bay watershed

Standing at the top of the Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory in the Jefferson National Forest, with an elevation 3,800 feet, all one has to do is face east and imagine that some 320 miles away sits the shores of the Chesapeake Bay.

Located in Monroe County, West Virginia, at the top of Peters Mountain, the observatory is at the western edge of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Rainfall at this location washes into streams and rivers that eventually drain to the Bay; while just a few feet in another direction, it ends up in the Mississippi River. 

The Bay watershed spans 64,000 square miles, touching six states and all of Washington, D.C. It’s an incredibly diverse ecosystem that moves from cold mountain streams to the brackish waters of the Bay. 

However, “views of the Bay watershed” isn’t exactly what people think of when they visit Hanging Rock. 

First built in 1934 as a lookout tower for forest fires, the observatory is now a popular destination to watch raptors like hawks, eagles and falcons. The observatory is located along a well-trodden southern migration route, so raptor viewing is best during fall migration season. 

The building is currently closed due to structural issues, but you can still hike up to the site and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

To get to the observatory, all you have to do is park in the Hanging Rock parking lot and hike one mile up to the observatory. You can also continue onto the Allegheny Trail past the observatory for a second vantage point. 

Even though the observatory is closed, the trail is open and there are places to sit and enjoy the view. Looking east, you will see Potts Mountain and the West Virginia/Virginia border on the horizon. Somewhere in that are tributaries feeding the James River as it flows toward the Chesapeake Bay.

Have you been to Hanging Rock Raptor Observatory and seen the views? Let us know in the comments!