Sandy Point State Forest

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.

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) and generate income through the sale of timber. Hunting stamps, which allow hunters to hunt on the forest, are also sold. One-fourth of all income generated by the forest is returned to the county.

Funding from the Forest Legacy Program permitted the VDOF to purchase the property from The Nature Conservancy in 2002. This program protects and manages important forests threatened by conversion to non-forest uses.

Sandy Point State Forest is characterized by abundant water resources. There are 180 acres of tidal wetland and 288 acres of non-tidal wetland in the forest. The forest has approximately four-miles of frontage on the Mattaponi River. There are five miles of perennial streams, and three miles of intermittent streams with associated areas of wetland.

Read and download our brochure about all of the Virginia State Forests (English; PDF format).

State Forest Use Permit

As of July 1, 2009, a State Forest Use Permit is required for those persons aged 16 or older to practice the following activities on a state forest:

ride horses
ride bikes
hunt
fish
trap

A valid Virginia hunting license or fishing license in addition to a State Forest Permit ($15 per year) are required for hunting, trapping or fishing on the forest.

A State Forest Use Permit is not required for forest visitors who practice the following activities on a state forest:

walking
hiking
boating

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.

Hours of Operation / Scheduling

To ensure your safety, read our state forest regulations before visiting a forest.

Sandy Point State Forest is open daily from dawn to dusk. Email the forest personnel.
Lat-Long: 37° 40’ 7.3”, 76° 57’ 1.5”

State Forest Use Permit

As of July 1, 2009, a State Forest Use Permit is required for those persons aged 16 or older to practice the following activities on a state forest:

ride horses
ride mountain bikes
hunt
fish
trap

A valid Virginia hunting license or fishing license in addition to a State Forest Permit ($15 per year) are required for hunting, trapping or fishing on the forest.

A State Forest Use Permit is not required for forest visitors who practice the following activities on a state forest:

walking
hiking
boating

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.

Fees

There are no charges for walking, hiking, or canoeing on the state forest.

Recreation Opportunities

Hiking

There are 11.5 miles of roads and three miles of forest trails that are open for walking, hiking, horses, and mountain bikes. All motorized vehicles are prohibited on state forest lands.

All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs)

ATVs are not permitted on any of the State Forests.

Camping

Camping is not allowed.

Canoeing

Canoeing is permitted.

Fishing

A Virginia fishing license is required within the Forest.

Horseback Riding

Horses are permitted on the forest.

Coggins Test Certificates must be available for each horse on State lands.

We recommend that equestrians dismount and lead their horse over bridges and across streams.

Hunting

Hunting is permitted on the Sandy Point State Forest. All persons, except those legally exempt under Virginia law, must carry a valid Virginia hunting license AND a State Forest Use Permit to hunt or trap on the forest.

Duck hunting is permitted on the forest. Ten duck blinds are located along the Mattaponi River. Two blinds, accessible by boat, are located in the tidal marsh area. If ice, or any other barriers, prevents access to the duck blinds, you must be careful not to hunt near the houses on the King and Queen County side of the river (the north side).If ice, or any other barriers, prevents access to the duck blinds, you must be careful not to hunt near the houses on the King and Queen County side of the river (the north side).

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.

Upland and waterfowl hunting are available on a “first come, first serve” basis only.

Hunting areas are clearly shown on the Hunter's Map. Hunting is prohibited in the following locations, and the surrounding areas of these locations:

Lodge and Pond recreational area
River recreational area

Wear blaze orange during hunting season.

Hunting Map
Hunting Guide (includes black and white map) (English, PDF format)

About the State Forest System

State Forests provide a working demonstration of forests and forest management techniques. The Virginia State Forest System follows these forest management guidelines:

Contribute to the conservation of biological diversity of the forest and the landscape in which it resides.
Maintain or improve the productive capacity of the forest.
Maintain the health and vigor of the forest, its landscape and its watershed.
Provide resources for cleaner air by absorbing carbon dioxide, known as carbon cycles.
Provide socioeconomic benefits.
Protect soil productivity and water quality.

The Sandy Point State Forest will be managed to address these principles. Future management will focus on demonstration of scientific forest management, applied forest research, development of diverse wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and development of varied timber stands that support diversity and provide for passive outdoor recreation.

Forest Management

Forest types typically associated with the coastal plain of Virginia will be maintained. Soil type and potential productivity will guide changes in forest type. Areas will be converted from pine to hardwood to create a desirable “mixed” stand of pine and hardwood. Natural succession processes from pine to hardwood will be the primary method of conversion.

Initial timber sales will harvest poor quality timber with the least potential for growth. Using biologically and economically sustainable forest management practices and techniques, the forest will develop and improve its wildlife habitats, timber production capacity and recreational possibilities.

Last modified: Tuesday, 17-Nov-2009 09:40:49 EST