Browne State Forest

The 129 acre Browne State Forest, located in Essex County in the coastal plain of Virginia, is 10 miles southeast of Tappahannock, 45 miles northeast of Richmond, and 65 miles northwest of Newport News.

All State Forests are managed by the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) for multiple-use purposes, including watershed protection, recreation, timber production, hunting, fishing, and applied forest research.

The State Forests are self-supporting (no taxes are used to operate the system). In addition, one-fourth of all income is returned to Essex County. Income is received from the sale of forest products and hunting stamp sales.

All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) l Hiking l Hunting

Hours of Operation

• Map and Directions to the forest.
• Browne State Forest is open daily from dawn to dusk.

Fees

There are no charges to visit the state forest. Some parking is available at the fire tower.

Recreation Opportunities

Hiking

There is one primary dead end road in the forest. This is open for walking, hiking, and mountain bikes. All motorized vehicles are prohibited on state forest lands. This forest road is gated. The adjacent Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority (804.758.2311) also allows walking and hiking.

Travelers hike through harvested areas that have either been replanted or protected so that nature is allowed to take its course.

Foot travel, and non-motorized bikes are permitted.

Trail Rules

• Be courteous to other trail users. Hikers should yield the right of way to equestrians. Bikers should yield to hikers and equestrians.
• Please help us keep the trail clean.
• Stay on the marked trail at all times.
• Be extremely cautious at road crossings. Stop, look and listen, and then proceed only if you are sure it is safe to do so.

All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)

ATVs are not permitted on any of the state forests.

Hunting

Hunting is permitted on the Browne State Forest. All persons, except those legally exempt under Virginia law, must carry a valid Virginia hunting license AND a State Forest Permit ($16 per year) to hunt or trap on the forest.

State Forest Permits

Permits can be purchased two ways:

• Go to any location where you purchase a hunting license. Ask the clerk for the "State Forest Permit" to be added to your license.
• Use your credit card and purchase a permit online from the Virginia Department Of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) Web site.

State Forest hunting regulations and seasons follow those of the county in which the State Forest is located. Check the Virginia Department Of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) Hunting & Trapping Regulations and Information brochure or their Web site for special restrictions on State Forest lands, such as Either-Sex Deer Hunting Days.

Hunting is allowed on most of the forest, however, hunting is prohibited in the following safety zones (surrounding areas of):

• Fire tower.

Hunting is also permitted on the adjacent Middle Peninsula Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority. For information and registration, contact them at 804.758.2311.

Wear blaze orange during hunting season.

Hunter's Map (print version - letter.)

Last modified: Thursday, 13-Mar-2008 20:31:29 UTC