Smith Mountain Cooperative Wildlife Management Area, Protected natural area in Bedford and Pittsylvania counties, Virginia
Smith Mountain Cooperative Wildlife Management Area covers roughly 5,000 acres of wooded land with elevations between 800 and 2,000 feet overlooking Smith Mountain Lake. The protected area spans two counties and includes diverse forest communities along the southeastern shoreline.
The area became part of a utility company's holdings during Smith Mountain Dam construction in the 1950s and was formally designated as a wildlife management area in 2009. This shift represented a transition from industrial use to conservation focus for the land.
This management area reflects Virginia's approach to sharing natural lands with the public for outdoor pursuits while supporting conservation work in the region. Visitors can observe how the land is actively managed to balance recreation with wildlife protection.
Visitors aged 17 and older must have a valid hunting permit, fishing license, or WMA permit to access the area, with two main parking areas serving each county section. Sturdy footwear and weather-appropriate clothing are essential since terrain elevation changes and seasonal conditions require proper preparation.
The protected area contains ten miles of shoreline along Smith Mountain Lake and houses multiple rare species within its forest communities. This combination of waterfront and woodland ecosystems creates a habitat where animals dependent on both environments can thrive.
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