Virginia's State Forests

The formation of the State Forest System created a way for the commonwealth to:

• manage the forest land for a steady supply of timber
  • to ensure the operation and maintenance of the resource
  • to help maintain a stable local economy
• provide recreation opportunities
• maintain aesthetics for Virginians
• maintain wildlife habitats
• create natural reserves
• preserve water quality

Welcome to Virginia's State Forests! The Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) manages 19 state forests and other state lands totaling 55,142 acres.

Special management areas allow demonstration and research for both the promotion of good forestry practices and the observation of applied research.

Recreation offerings, such as hunting, canoeing and fishing are available on the forests and at the Holliday Creek Trout Fishing Area. To ensure your safety, read our state forest regulations before visiting a forest.

The State Forests of Virginia are self-supporting and receive no taxpayer funds for operations. Operating funds are generated from the sale of forest products, demonstrating the value of good forestry practices. In addition, up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the revenue received from the sale of forest products is returned to the counties in which a forest is located.

The three largest state forests are located in the central Piedmont of Virginia between Lynchburg and Richmond, offering unique opportunities to the metropolitan areas of Virginia. Topography is typical of the gently rolling Piedmont. The VDOF continues to acquire forest land, adding small interior holdings or adjoining land to align boundary lines.

The forests are rich with history. At Cumberland State Forest, the Charles Irving Thornton tombstone, with an inscription written by Charles Dickens, is on the National Register of Historical Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register.

Also at Cumberland State Forest, a marker is placed on the site of Jesse Thomas' homestead. Colonel Jesse Thomas rode his famous horse "Fearnaught" through the night to warn Baron Von Steuben that Cornwallis was coming, thus saving Von Steuben with his 800 men and the Continental Army's sole remaining supplies in Virginia.

You can support Virginia's State Forests Fund through a contribution!

Hunting is only permitted on these state forests

• Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest
• Browne State Forest
• Channels State Forest
• Conway-Robinson State Forest (lottery participation only)
• Cumberland State Forest
• Dragon Run State Forest
• Matthews State Forest (archery only)
• Prince Edward-Gallion State Forest
• Sandy Point State Forest

Prohibited on all state forests

• All-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
• Alcoholic beverages
• Metal detectors
• Target shooting

Virginia's State Forests

Appomattox-Buckingham

The 19,808-acre Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest, located in the piedmont of Virginia, is an ever-changing oak-hickory and pine forest. Deer, turkey, and even black bear make their homes in these woods. There is also a geocache on the forest.

The Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest has old growth hardwoods of white oak, chestnut oak, and some yellow poplar. The red oaks have died out leaving the maturing white oaks. The intermediate stands (100 years or younger) contain the two species of white oak and the red oaks as well as black oak, southern red oak, scarlet oak and some post oak. Yellow poplar, black gum, and red maple are also present. Timber stands under 30 years of age: predominately red maple and yellow poplar interspersed with various oaks. Sweet gum is a major component of the eastern edge of the forest.

Pines on the forest are loblolly, shortleaf, and Virginia with some scattered white pine along the roads, in research plots and along drainages.

To see most of the tree species growing on the state forest, along with some other plants from the forest and some trees from other places in the state, visit the arboretum near the village of Vera.

• Hunting is permitted on the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest.

Bourassa

This 288-acre forest is in Bedford County, north of Smith Mountain Lake. The mixed hardwood forest was a gift and is used for timber production, an outdoor laboratory, wildlife sanctuary and watershed protection.

• Lat-Long: 37° 4’ 45.5”, 79° 31’ 26.5”

Browne

This 129-acre Browne State Forest is located in Essex County.

• Hunting is permitted on the Browne State Forest.

Channels

Channels State Forest is located in Washington and Russell Counties, 15 miles north of Abingdon. The Channels Natural Area Preserve is located on the crest of the mountain and includes The Great Channels of Virginia sandstone outcrop.

• Hunting is permitted on the Channels State Forest.
• Lat-Long: 36° 49’ 40.9”, 81° 57’ 43.5 ”

Chilton Woods

Chilton Woods is the first State Forest located on the Northern Neck of the Commonwealth of Virginia. In July of 2000, Mrs. Catherine B. Chilton conveyed the 397-acre tract, known as Chilton Woods, to the Virginia Department of Forestry. Chilton Woods became the 15^th State Forest under the stewardship of the VDOF. It is located in Lancaster County. On Virginia Highway 3, travel east from Warsaw approximately 15-20 miles. After entering Lancaster County, turn left onto Rt. 602 (Field Trial Road) and follow for approximately 1-2 miles. Pass the sign for Chilton Woods on your right, under the power line right-of-way, and drive into the gravel parking lot on the right.

The property is entirely in forestland of various aged loblolly pine stands, which were nurtured and maintained by the Chilton family for many decades. The VDOF assisted Mr. and Mrs. Chilton when they took possession of the property in 1954. The Chilton family managed Chilton Woods under the guidance of professional foresters, involving both the VDOF and private consultants. William “Ran”Chilton, who was a heating oil and fuel dealer and president of the Bank of Lancaster, did not cut any timber until it was fully mature and then was quick to reforest the land in pines. But, as much as Mr. Chilton managed the woods for income, he was also drawn by the beauty of the land and its wildlife.

Mr. Chilton died in 1973. His will left the forest to his wife in a lifetime trust with the provision that it be transferred at her death to the state and managed for timber and wildlife. Mrs. Chilton thought better of this and deeded the tract of Lancaster County land to the state to ensure her late husband’s wish was fulfilled for the Virginia Department of Forestry to receive it.

Chilton Woods State Forest management plan allows for timber harvests as well as provides public access for hiking and bird watching. The property is used to demonstrate timber-growing techniques and conservation practices to protect wildlife habitats and streams during logging. Streams in the woods drain into Lancaster Creek and Corrotoman River, both tributaries of the Rappahannock River. The Rappahannock empties into the Chesapeake Bay.

By integrating best management practices on this land, we're ensuring that this forest is helping keep the Chesapeake Bay alive and productive.

The Chilton State Forest is primarily a loblolly pine plantation with some areas of mixed pine and hardwood, including southern red oak, white oak, black oak, tulip poplar, sweet gum, and red maple. A rare wildflower, the showy orchis, is a unique feature of the forest. Pink lady slippers are also common and best seen in the first week of May.

Parking and access: A small parking area holds about 5 cars. No trails exist on the forest.

• Lat-Long: 37° 49’ 25.3”, cccc° 32’ 7”

Conway-Robinson

This 444-acre forest is a mixture of pine and old growth hardwood stands in Prince William County, adjacent to Manassas National Battlefield and Route 29. In addition to serving as a wildlife and wildflower sanctuary, the forest is used for environmental education, hiking, mountain biking, preservation of historic sites, watershed protection and timber production. The state forest's posted hours of access are "7am to 7pm." The Conway-Robinson State Forest has adopted a Leave No Trace (www.lnt.org) ethic regarding trash: "Pack it in. Pack it out."

Timber types on the forest: Old growth hardwoods dominate this forest.

Parking and access: Conway-Robinson has a small parking area adjacent Route 29-S which can accommodate approximately 10 cars. Additional parking is permitted along the entrance/exit road unless it restricts through traffic.

Learn about deer hunts scheduled on the forest.

• Hunting is permitted by lottery permit only on the Conway-Robinson State Forest.
• Lat-Long: 38° 48’ 12.6”, 77° 35’ 16.7”

Crawfords

This 258-acre forest has a mixture of bottomland hardwood and loblolly pine stands in New Kent County, near Providence Forge. The forest is a wildlife sanctuary and used for demonstration and education for forestry, ecology, history, forestry research, hiking, and canoeing.

Most of the acreage is covered with loblolly pine and mixed hardwoods, with very large and very old bald cypress and tupelo on the property that covers the Chickahominey Swamp.

Parking and access: A small grass parking lot along Rt. 60 leads into the state forest. This lot allows approximately 5-6 vehicles.

• Lat-Long: 37° 27’ 12.6”, 77° 4’ 48.6”

Cumberland

The 16,222-acre Cumberland State Forest, located in the piedmont of Virginia, is north of State Route 60, west of State Route 45 and bordered on the west by the Willis River.

• Hunting is permitted on the Cumberland State Forest.

Devil's Backbone

This 558-acre forest, located in Shenandoah County, was a gift and the area includes several timber types. The forest was a gift to the commonwealth and is used for education and demonstration, research, timber production, watershed protection and a wildlife sanctuary. The main research focus has been for the restoration of the American Chestnut. Due to public access and parking issues, the Devil's Backbone State Forest is presently not available for general public visitation.

There are two general timber types on this forest: the vast majority of the acreage is covered by an older, Upland Hardwood - Southern Pine forest type. Tree species include: white oak, chestnut oak, scarlet oak, black oak, Virginia pine, red maple, tablemountain pine, black gum, pignut hickory and black birch. The other distinct forest cover is a Southern Pine forest containing mainly loblolly pine and Virginia pine.

Parking and access: There is no public access available to the Devil's Backbone State Forest.

Dragon Run

The 1,811-acre Dragon Run State Forest is located in King and Queen County, 15 miles north of West Point, and 20 miles southeast of Tappahannock. The property protects a significant water resource (Dragon Run Swamp) while allowing for traditional forest management activities.

• Hunting is permitted on the Dragon Run State Forest.
• Lat-Long: 37° 42’ 34.8”, 76° 48’ 26.9”

Hawks

Located in Carroll County, this 121-acre area is used to demonstrate and manage forestry species indigenous to Southwest Virginia. Hawks State Forest offers watershed protection and wildlife habitat.

Lesesne

This 422-acre forest is located in Nelson County. A gift to the commonwealth, it is a wildlife sanctuary and designated for research on the American Chestnut. Lesesne is open to the public during daylight hours for hiking and horseback riding.

• Lat-Long: 37° 50’ 9.3”, 78° 58’ 14.6”

Matthews

This 566-acre forest is located in Grayson County near the town of Galax. A gift to the commonwealth, the forest is used for American Chestnut research, demonstration of white pine management techniques, watershed protection, hiking and as a wildlife sanctuary. The nature trail is used by local schools for field trips.

• Hunting is permitted on the Matthews State Forest.
• Lat-Long: 36° 38’ 34”, 80° 57’ 27.4”

Niday Place

This 254-acre forest on John's Creek Mountain in Craig County has typical mountain hardwood stands. A gift to the commonwealth, the forest is a wildlife sanctuary and used as an outdoor laboratory, and for preservation of wildflowers.

Niday Place State Forest is managed by the Buckingham and Cumberland state forests. At Exit 141 on Interstate 81 near Salem, follow Route 311 for 19.2 miles to New Castle, and turn west onto Route 42 in New Castle. Niday Place is located on Rt. 658 approximately 1.5 miles from the intersection of Route 42 and Route 658.

• Lat-Long: 37° 23’ 14.9”, 80° 23’ 36.2”

Paul

This 173-acre forest has a variety of hardwood species in Rockingham County. A gift to the commonwealth, the forest's primary uses include hardwood research and demonstration, timber production, hiking, and wildlife habitat protection.

• Lat-Long: 38° 26’ 6.7”, 79° 2’ 10.4”

Prince Edward-Gallion

The 6,461-acre Prince Edward-Gallion State Forest is located in the piedmont of Virginia. The forest is located 15 miles southeast of Farmville, 5 miles southeast of Burkeville along state route 696 and 613.

• Hunting is permitted on the Prince Edward-Gallion State Forest.

Sandy Point

The 2,043-acre Sandy Point State Forest is located in King William County, approximately 13 miles southeast of Central Garage off Route 30 at the end of Route 641.

• Hunting is permitted on the Sandy Point State Forest.

Whitney

This 148-acre forest, located in Fauquier County, is used for timber production, horseback riding, hiking, research and demonstration and as a wildlife sanctuary.

The Whitney State Forest is primarily a natural hardwood forest with yellow poplar, northern red oak, white oak, pignut hickory, red maple, and Virginia pine. There are two pine plantations, one loblolly pine and one white pine.

Parking and access: One parking lot is available, which can accommodate ten cars. Parking is not allowed on the road.

• Lat-Long: 38° 40’ 20.1”, 77° 48’ 19.4”

Zoar

Zoar State Forest, at Aylett in King William County, was established in 1987 when 378 acres were donated to the VDOF. This land is used to grow timber and agricultural crops, maintain habitat for various species of wildlife, and to provide educational and recreational opportunities.

Additional information

• George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
• Virginia's National Forest recreation sites
• State Parks in Virginia
• GORP (Great Outdoors Recreation Pages) - lists national forests and parks.

Last modified: Thursday, 05-Feb-2009 16:10:23 EST