Rapidan Wildlife Management Area

Elevation: 1556 ft.

The Rapidan Wildlife Management Area (WMA) provides access to the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge abutting Shenandoah National Park. The WMA is composed of eight separate tracts, not all of which are accessible by car. Several of the tracts are connected to Skyline Drive via fire roads and hiking trails. Rapidan WMA provides access to some of the more pristine parts of the eastern Blue Ridge, taking the wildlife enthusiast away from the sometimes-crowded Skyline Drive. Species to be encountered in this area are similar to those seen from a distance along the drive including many woodpecker species, flycatchers, vireos, white-breasted nuthatch, eastern bluebird, gray catbird, black-and-white, hooded, and worm-eating warblers, ovenbird, American redstart, scarlet tanager and eastern towhee. Butterflies are also numerous and eastern tiger, black, pipevine, spicebush swallowtails, great spangled and variegated fritillaries, red-spotted purple and a variety of skippers and azures can all be found easily.

Notes:

• To Access the Site: A Restore the Wild Membership, Virginia hunting license, freshwater fishing license, boat registration, or an access permit is required.
• This site may be closed during certain times of year for hunting or land management. See seasonal access information on the Rapidan WMA website.
• If you are visiting this site during hunting seasons, please wear blaze orange/pink for safety. Consult current hunting and trapping regulations for more information on hunting seasons.