List of Virginia state forests facts for kids
The Virginia state forest system includes 26 state-managed forests covering a total of 74,969 acres (117.1 sq mi; 303.4 km2). They are managed by the Virginia Department of Forestry.
The system was created to manage and maintain forests for wildlife, timber production, recreation, water quality, and aesthetics. The system receives no taxpayer funds, and is self-supported by the sale of forest products.
Most Virginia state forests are accessible to the public. Activities such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, hunting, and fishing are permitted in some state forests; permissible uses vary between individual state forests. Some activities require the purchase of a "State Forest Use Permit" for individuals ages 16 or older.
State forests in the Commonwealth of Virginia
The following table lists Virginia's 26 state forests as of 2023[update].
| Name | City, county, or counties | Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest | Appomattox and Buckingham | 19,513 acres (78.97 km2) | |
| Big Woods State Forest | Sussex | 2,403 acres (9.72 km2) | |
| Bourassa State Forest | Bedford | 288 acres (1.17 km2) | |
| Browne State Forest | Essex | 128 acres (0.52 km2) | |
| Channels State Forest | Washington and Russell | 4,836 acres (19.57 km2) | |
| Charlotte State Forest | Charlotte | 5,688 acres (23.02 km2) | Hunting not allowed during 2021 Season. |
| Chesterfield State Forest | Chesterfield | 440 acres (1.8 km2) | |
| Chilton Woods State Forest | Lancaster | 397 acres (1.61 km2) | |
| Conway-Robinson Memorial State Forest | Prince William | 444 acres (1.80 km2) | |
| Crawfords State Forest | New Kent County | 258 acres (1.04 km2) | |
| Cumberland State Forest | Cumberland | 16,222 acres (65.65 km2) | |
| Devil's Backbone State Forest | Shenandoah | 517 acres (2.09 km2) | Public access not permitted. |
| Dragon Run State Forest | King and Queen | 9,563 acres (38.70 km2) | |
| First Mountain State Forest | Rockingham | 573 acres (2.32 km2) | |
| Hawks State Forest | Carroll | 121 acres (0.49 km2) | |
| Lesesne State Forest | Nelson | 422 acres (1.71 km2) | |
| Matthews State Forest | Grayson | 566 acres (2.29 km2) | |
| Moore's Creek State Forest | Rockbridge | 2,353 acres (9.52 km2) | |
| Niday Place State Forest | Craig | 254 acres (1.03 km2) | |
| Old Flat State Forest | Grayson | 320 acres (1.3 km2) | |
| Paul State Forest | Rockingham | 173 acres (0.70 km2) | |
| Prince Edward-Gallion State Forest | Prince Edward | 6,461 acres (26.15 km2) | |
| Sandy Point State Forest | King William | 2,043 acres (8.27 km2) | |
| South Quay State Forest | Suffolk | 266 acres (1.08 km2) | |
| Whitney State Forest | Fauquier | 148 acres (0.60 km2) | |
| Zoar State Forest | King William | 378 acres (1.53 km2) |
See also
- List of U.S. National Forests
- List of Virginia state parks
- List of Virginia Natural Area Preserves
- List of Virginia Wildlife Management Areas
