Havens Wildlife Management Area

Description

Elevation: 1655 ft.

Havens WMA is extensive, encompassing 7000+ acres of forest land on Fort Lewis Mountain. Much of this land is undisturbed by human intrusion, so wildlife abounds. However, the few developed trails have only limited access points. This does not mean the trails offer only limited wildlife watching potential. The directions above refer to one of the easier access points. For more information on additional access points, contact the VDWR office listed above.

Elevations within the management area range from 1500 to 3082 feet. One of the oldest management areas in Virginia, Havens was acquired after the area had been extensively logged in the 1930s. Though slow to recover due to nutrient-poor soils, these woodlands are maturing, offering oak, hickory, and beech forests, and even stands of enormous eastern hemlocks. Just beyond the parking lot is a footbridge that crosses over Mason’s Creek. Look along the creek for resident green heron or summering Louisiana waterthrush. The woodlands are filled with birdsong. Foot travel has worn paths and old logging roads may serve as trails for naturalists. Some areas are steep and narrow, so use caution along your journeys. If you delve into these undisturbed woods, you will find a variety of wildlife. At lower elevations, black-and-white, hooded, and Kentucky warblers, American redstart, ovenbird and wood thrush are common. A few miles of hiking, however, will bring about changes in avian fauna. Look for black-throated green warbler, scarlet tanager, dark-eyed junco, veery, and rose-breasted grosbeak. Wild turkey roam throughout, and ruffed grouse are probably more common at higher elevations. Mammalian life can be a little more difficult to spy, but white-tailed deer, red fox, bobcat, and black bear are denizens of these woods as well.

Notes:

• To Access the Site: A Restore the Wild Membership, Virginia hunting license, freshwater fishing license, boat registration, or an access permit is required.
• Hunting could be occurring at this site April 1 – May 31 and September 1 – February 28th. If you are visiting this site during hunting seasons, please wear blaze orange or blaze pink for safety.

Directions

From the upperside of Carvins Cove, follow Rt. 740 for 1.2 miles back to SR 311. Turn right and make an immediate left on Rt. 864/Bradshaw Road. Follow Rt. 864 for 1.6 miles, veering left onto Rt. 622/Bradshaw Road, continuing 5.6 miles to the parking lot on the left.