DOF manages 26 state forests totaling 74,969 acres. The state forests of Virginia are self-supporting and receive no taxpayer funds for operation. Operating funds are generated from the sale of forest products, the purchase of state forest use permits, and Virginia’s income tax check off system.
The formation of the state forest system created a way for the Commonwealth to manage working forestland for a steady supply of timber. In addition, the state forests ensure operation and maintenance of this natural resource, help maintain a stable local economy, provide recreational opportunities for the public, maintain wildlife habitats, create natural reserves, and preserve water quality. State forests provide education and demonstration of forest management techniques. The Virginia state forest system follows these forest management guidelines:
Up to 25% of the revenues received from the sale of forest products are returned to the counties in which the forests are located. You can support educational programs on your state forests by donating a portion of your state income tax refund to Virginia’s State Forests Fund.
All of Virginia’s state forests, covering more than 71,000 acres, are certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and American Tree Farm System (ATFS) standards. Certification ensures that forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible and socially beneficial manner. Certification also demonstrates for landowners how they can maintain their own viable, sustainable working forests.
Agency staff conduct a long-term resource analysis which guides forest management planning within each state forest. The agency develops State Forest Management Plans for each state forest taking into account an appropriate level of activities to meet the objectives, size and scale of each state forest, deed restrictions, and overall land management operations.
The state forests are self-supporting and sell forest products to generate operating income as well as manage the forest resource responsibly. This is typically via timber sales and firewood sales. Cutting of timber on state forests requires having purchased an advertised timber sale or with a Firewood Permit. Firewood permits are issued by DOF; firewood is generally sold by estimated cord, with DOF forester-designated tree or trees, or fallen trees on the ground in a given area. Contact the state forest headquarters about timber sales or firewood permits.
Most Virginia state forests are accessible to the public. Virginia’s state forests offer abundant passive recreational activities, such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, hunting, and fishing. Permissible uses vary among individual forests, so visit the web page for each state forest to find out what is allowed and available.
While you won’t find amenities like cabins, campgrounds, or even restrooms at most state forests, you will find unique opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and observe wildlife and forestry practices in action. A State Forest Use Permit is required for hunting, trapping, fishing, mountain biking, and horseback riding; other appropriate licenses may be additionally required for certain activities (i.e., hunting, trapping, fishing).
Visitors asked to adopt a “leave-no-trace” ethic when visiting the forest, as there are generally no restrooms or trash cans on the forests themselves.
Read more about recreation and hunting on state forests.
To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest.
Download or print the state forest map and directions for the forest you wish to visit – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store.
Ever wonder just what the difference is between state forests, state parks, wildlife management areas, natural area preserves, national forests, and national parks? Learn just what the difference is.
| Image | Title | ID | Description | Content Type | hf:tax:document-category | hf:tax:document-tags | hf:tax:Media | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest Recreation and Trails Map | P00171 | Map introduces recreation and trails, including trail segments, descriptions and distances, located on the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest in Appomattox and Buckingham counties. | Publication | View | state-forests | appomattox-buckingham-sf recreation state-forest-recreation | publication |
 | Big Woods State Forest – General Map | General map of Big Woods State Forest. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest. Download or print this state forest map – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store. | Map | View | state-forests | big-woods-sf state-forest-recreation | map | |
 | Big Woods State Forest – Hunting Map | Hunting map of Big Woods State Forest. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest. Download or print this state forest map – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store. | Map | View | state-forests | big-woods-sf state-forest-recreation | map | |
 | Big Woods State Forest Hunting Seasons Brief | This information sheet provides a brief summary about hunting season in Big Woods State Forest, including various hunting seasons, dates and times. | Document | View | state-forests | big-woods-sf state-forest-recreation | document | |
 | Browne State Forest – General Map | General map of Browne State Forest. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest. Download or print this state forest map – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store. | Map | View | state-forests | browne-sf state-forest-recreation | map | |
 | Browne State Forest – Hunters Map | Hunting map of Browne State Forest. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest. Download or print this state forest map – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store. | Map | View | state-forests | browne-sf state-forest-recreation | map | |
 | Charlotte State Forest – General Map | General map of Charlotte State Forest. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest. Download or print this state forest map – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store. | Map | View | state-forests | charlotte-sf state-forest-recreation | map | |
 | Charlotte State Forest – Hunting Map | Hunting map of Charlotte State Forest. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest. Download or print this state forest map – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store. | Map | View | state-forests | charlotte-sf state-forest-recreation | map | |
 | Chesterfield State Forest – General Map | General map of Chesterfield State Forest. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest. Download or print this state forest map – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store. | Map | View | state-forests | chesterfield-sf state-forest-recreation | map | |
 | Chilton Woods State Forest – General Map | General map of Chilton Woods State Forest. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest. Download or print this state forest map – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store. | Map | View | state-forests | chilton-woods-sf state-forest-recreation | map | |
 | Chilton Woods State Forest – Hunting Map | Hunting map of Chilton Woods State Forest. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest. Download or print this state forest map – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store. | Map | View | state-forests | chilton-woods-sf state-forest-recreation | map | |
 | Conway Robinson Memorial State Forest – General Map | General map of Conway Robinson Memorial State Forest. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest. Download or print this state forest map – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store. | Map | View | state-forests | conway-robinson-memorial-sf | map | |
 | Crawfords State Forest – General Map | General map of Crawfords State Forest. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest. Download or print this state forest map – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store. | Map | View | state-forests | crawfords-sf state-forest-recreation | map | |
 | Cumberland State Forest Recreation and Trails Map | P00170 | Map introduces recreation and trails, including trail segments, descriptions and distances, located on the Cumberland State Forest in Cumberland County. | Publication | View | state-forests | cumberland-sf recreation state-forest-recreation | publication |
 | Devil’s Backbone State Forest – General Map | General map of Devil’s Backbone State Forest. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest. Download or print this state forest map – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store. | Map | View | state-forests | devils-backbone-sf state-forest-recreation | map | |
| Devil’s Backbone State Forest – Hunting Map | Hunting map of Devil’s Backbone State Forest. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest. Download or print this state forest map – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store. | Map | View | state-forests | devils-backbone-sf state-forest-recreation | map | |
 | Dragon Run State Forest – General Map | General map of Dragon Run State Forest. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest. Download or print this state forest map – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store. | Map | View | state-forests | dragon-run-sf state-forest-recreation | map | |
 | Dragon Run State Forest – Hunting Map | Hunting map of Dragon Run State Forest. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest. Download or print this state forest map – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store. | Map | View | state-forests | dragon-run-sf state-forest-recreation | map | |
 | First Mountain State Forest – General Map | General map of First Mountain State Forest. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest. Download or print this state forest map – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store. | Map | View | state-forests | first-mountain-sf state-forest-recreation | map | |
 | First Mountain State Forest – Hunting Map | Hunting map of First Mountain State Forest. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest. Download or print this state forest map – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store. | Map | View | state-forests | first-mountain-sf state-forest-recreation | map | |
 | Hunter Protocol for Conway Robinson State Forest Lottery Hunt | Document provides the detailed protocol, requirement, important dates related to lottery permit hunting at Conway Robinson State Forest. All requirements and protocols must be met to participate in the lottery hunt. | Document | View | state-forests | conway-robinson-memorial-sf state-forest-recreation | document | |
 | Impact of Planting Treatments on Eastern White Pine Seedling Survival and Growth at the Matthews State Forest in Grayson County, Virginia | CNRE-137NP | As part of an undergraduate research project, two Virginia Tech students collected data in a white pine seedling survival study to determine which planting treatments had the best survival and growth rates. The test plot was located on the Matthews State Forest in Grayson County, Virginia. This report summarizes the findings of this case study. | Publication | View | forest-management research-resource-information state-forests resource-information | matthews-sf white-pine | publication |
 | Lesesne State Forest – General Map | General map of Lesesne State Forest. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest. Download or print this state forest map – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store. | Map | View | state-forests | lesesne-sf state-forest-recreation | map | |
| Lesesne State Forest – Hunting Map | Hunting map of Lesesne State Forest. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest. Download or print this state forest map – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store. | Map | View | state-forests | lesesne-sf state-forest-recreation | map | |
 | Paul State Forest – General Map | General map of Paul State Forest. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest. Download or print this state forest map – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store. | Map | View | state-forests | paul-sf | map | |
 | Sandy Point State Forest – General Map | General map of Sandy Point State Forest. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest. Download or print this state forest map – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store. | Map | View | state-forests | sandy-point-sf state-forest-recreation | map | |
 | Sandy Point State Forest – Hunting Map | Hunting map of Sandy Point State Forest. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest. Download or print this state forest map – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store. | Map | View | state-forests | sandy-point-sf | map | |
 | Sandy Point State Forest Hunting Seasons Brief | This information sheet provides a brief summary about hunting season in Sandy Point State Forest, including various hunting seasons, dates and times. | Document | View | state-forests | sandy-point-sf state-forest-recreation | document | |
 | South Quay State Forest – General Map | General map of South Quay State Forest. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest. Download or print this state forest map – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store. | Map | View | state-forests | south-quay-sf state-forest-recreation | map | |
 | Tree Seedling and Understory Plant Presence in Deer Exclosures on the Matthews State Forest | CNRE-138NP | The purpose of this case study was to determine the impact of deer on the composition of the herbaceous and regeneration layer in two stands in the Matthews State Forest. This report summarizes the findings of this case study. | Publication | View | forest-management nurseries research-resource-information state-forests resource-information | hardwood-management wildlife | publication |
 | Whitney State Forest – General Map | General map of Whitney State Forest. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest. Download or print this state forest map – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store. | Map | View | state-forests | whitney-sf | map | |
 | Zoar State Forest – General Map | General map of Zoar State Forest. To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest. Download or print this state forest map – many state forests are remote with limited cell phone service. These maps will work with Avenza Maps™, a mobile map app that allows you to track your movements offline on your iOS and Android device without the need for cell service or internet connection. A free version of this app can be downloaded to your device through your app store. | Map | View | state-forests | state-forest-recreation zoar-sf | map |
For more information or questions, e-mail us with “state forest name” in the subject line for specific state forest inquiries.
