Charlotte State Forest

Charlotte State Forest is a state forest in Charlotte County that encompasses roughly 5,700 acres of diverse woodland habitat. The property includes old growth trees, managed timberland, wetlands, meadows, and two creek systems that run through the landscape.

Thomas B. Stanley, who was Virginia governor from 1954 to 1958, originally owned this land through the Stanley Land and Lumber Corporation. The Conservation Fund later acquired the property and established it as a state forest.

The forest maintains sustainable timber production traditions while providing research opportunities and demonstrating scientific forest management practices to educational institutions.

To use forest trails for activities like fishing, biking, or horseback riding, visitors must obtain a State Forest Use Permit beforehand. The property is open daily from dawn to dusk, allowing time for outdoor activities throughout the year.

The forest protects roughly 800 acres of wetlands where the Virginia-threatened Carolina darter fish lives and numerous waterfowl species nest. These wetland areas provide essential habitat for specialized species found nowhere else nearby.

Location: Charlotte County

Inception: November 4, 2021

Website: https://dof.virginia.gov/education-and-recreation/state-forests/virginia-state-forests/charlotte-state-forest

GPS coordinates: 36.99222,-78.64833

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:27