The Kernsville Dam area is the gateway to the scenic and historical Schuylkill River Gap, which has been a regionally and nationally important transportation corridor for foot, canal, rail and road traffic for over 200 years. The dam, and its attendant desilting basin, was erected in 1949 to capture and remove coal silt from the river. The Kernsville Dam has become an important wilderness area, boasting a variety of wildlife in the water, in the air and on the land.

The Appalachian Trail, running from Maine to Georgia, tracks through its upper reaches and the John B. Bartram Section of the Schuylkill River Trail, running from Philadelphia to Pottsville, has a trailhead across from the Desilting Monument. Boaters and kayakers, hikers and birdwatchers, fishermen and hunters, and wildlife and nature enthusiasts have all enjoyed the area for generations.

The Kernsville Dam Wildlife Area Area is maintained by Blue Mountain Wildlife, Inc.