Recreation on Virginia's State Forests

The State Forests provide exceptional recreational opportunities. All of the forests in their beauty and splendor are available free to passive recreational activities throughout the year. There are hundreds of miles of forest trails available for non-motorized use such as hiking, cross-country skiing or observing nature. Cable-suspended footbridges offer unique experiences crossing the Willis River on the Cumberland State Forest. Lakes provide opportunities for fishing, and rivers located within the forest provide fishing and canoeing opportunities. There are shelters within the forest that offer picnicking while enjoying the beauty of nature.

Biking, canoeing, hiking, horseback riding and hunting are available on many of the state forests. A State Forest Use Permit is required for some activities, in addition to appropriate licenses.

Hunting continues to be one of the major recreational uses of the forests during the late fall or early winter. A State Forest Use Permit is required, in addition to valid licenses.

State Parks are located within three State Forests. The parks provide additional recreational opportunities such as camping and swimming.

State Forest	County	Acres	Trails (miles)	Vehicle Roads (miles)	Gated Vehicle Trails (miles)	Ponds / Lakes	Hunting/Fishing/Trapping	Picnic Shelter	Biking	Horse Riding	Comments
Appomattox-Buckingham	Appomattox & Buckingham	19,808	20.4	22	92.5	2	yes	2	yes	yes
Bourassa	Bedford	288	0	0	.6	1	no	0	no	no
Browne	Essex	128	0	0	.5	0	yes	0	yes	no	No parking
Channels	Washington & Russell	4,836	0	0	38.8	0	yes	0	yes	yes	Hiking trails, parking - under development (no parking)
Chilton Woods	Lancaster	397	0	0	.5	0	no	0	yes	no
Conway Robinson	Prince William	444	4	.2	1.4	0	no	1	yes	yes
Crawfords	New Kent	258	0	0	.8	0	no	0	yes	no
Cumberland	Cumberland	16,222	30.5	24.8	74.8	4	yes	1	yes	yes
Devils Back Bone	Shenandoah	517	0	0	2	0	no	0	no	no	Not open to the public at this time
Dragon Run	King & Queen	1,811	0	2.2	7.4	2	yes	0	yes	yes	No parking [under development]
Hawks	Carroll	121	0	0	0	0	no	0	no	no	No parking
Lesesne	Nelson	422	0	0	1.5	0	no	0	no	no	No parking
Matthews	Grayson	566	1.3	0	4.5	2	yes	0	yes	yes	Hunting – Archery Only
Niday Place	Craig	254	0	0	.4	0	no	0	no	no	No parking
Paul	Rockingham	173	0	0	1.2	0	no	0	yes	yes
Prince Edward – Gallion	Prince Edward	6,461	8.4	11.9	28	0	yes	0	yes	yes
Sandy Point	King William	2,043	0	0	12	1	yes	1	yes	yes
Whitney	Fauquier	148	5.8	0	1	0	no	0	yes	yes
Zoar	King William	378	1.5	.2	.6	1	no	0	yes	no

Last modified: Monday, 19-Oct-2009 16:04:37 EDT

Walking, Hiking and Boating
A State Forest Use Permit is not required for forest visitors who walk, hike or boat on a state forest.

Riding Bicycles and Riding Horses
On forests where these activities are allowed, a valid State Forest Use Permit is required for persons aged 16 years-old or older.

Hunting and Fishing
On forests where these activities are allowed, a valid State Forest Use Permit and valid hunting or fishing license are required for persons aged 16 years-old or older in accordance with state regulations.

State Forest Use 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.

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Native Trees of Virginia
The most common native tree species found in Virginia's forests are described with images of leaves, twigs, flowers and/or fruit to aid in identification.

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