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Dragon Run State Forest

Overview

Dragon Run State Forest occupies 9,563 acres in King and Queen County. This forest of mostly loblolly pine is managed for multiple uses: watershed protection, wildlife habitat, timber production, research, demonstration of sustainable forestry practices, and passive recreation.

More than 9 miles of perennial streams and 18 miles of intermittent streams are found on the property. Nearly 14 acres of frequently changing, open water in beaver ponds are scattered across the property. The Dragon Run Swamp flows 40 miles through the Virginia middle peninsula counties of Essex, King and Queen, Middlesex, and Gloucester. Fed by underground springs, surface runoff, and feeder swamps, it twists and turns, eventually changing from fresh to brackish water as it empties into the Piankatank River. The stream channel and its contiguous swamps are widely known as one of the most pristine bodies of water in Virginia. In fact, a Smithsonian Institute study of 232 rivers and streams in the Chesapeake Bay watershed ranked Dragon Run Swamp second in terms of ecological significance, and number one in Virginia’s part of the Bay watershed.

×To ensure your safety and enjoyment, please read Before You Visit when planning your trip to a state forest.

At a Glance

Access Status: Open to the Public
Hours: Open daily from dawn until dusk

MAP

Physical Address:
Latitude/Longitude:
37° 42’ 34.8”, -76° 48’ 26.9”

Parking/Access: Numerous access points from county roads
Limited parking near the gates of forest roads; do not block the gates

Restroom Facilities: None

Visitors are asked to adopt a “leave-no-trace” ethic when visiting the forest, as there are no restrooms or trash cans on the forest itself. ​ ​

Other Facilities: None
Seasonal Closures: None

DOF recommends that all forest visitors wear blaze orange or pink during hunting seasons.

Forest History
Forest Management
Recreational Opportunities
Educational Opportunities
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Maps and Additional Resources