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. You can also find geocaches on some of the forests.

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 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 Trail Map	Appomattox & Buckingham	19,808	20.4	22	92.5	2	yes	2	yes	yes
Big Woods	Sussex	2,220	0	3.8	5.9	0	yes	0	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; 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 Trail Map	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.
Dragon Run	King & Queen	9,563	0	17.8	21	2	yes	0	yes	yes	No parking.
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
Moore's Creek	Rockbridge	2,353	5	0	5	0	yes	0	no	no
Niday Place	Craig	254	0	0	.4	0	no	0	no	no	No parking.
Old Flat	Grayson	320	0	0	0	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: Tuesday, 02-Aug-2016 12:48:29 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 cost $16 USD and are valid for one year from date of purchase. 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) website. After you sign in, find “Special Licenses” and select “State Forest use Permit.”