Description
The 147-acre Whitney State Forest is the perfect size for an early morning walk or an evening bike ride. The forest holds over six miles of trails that weave their way back and forth around a central fire road. These woods are primarily deciduous, making a beautiful spectacle come fall when the leaves change colors.
The forest holds many familiar residents, with blue jay regularly heard scolding year- round and yellow-rumped warblers and ruby-crowned kinglets coming in thick as the weather begins to get colder. Spring is the most exciting time in the forest when many neotropical songbirds stop in. In addition to a variety of warblers and vireos, visitors should look out for scarlet tanagers and stunning rose-breasted grosbeaks. Summer is the best time to search for butterflies here when red-spotted purples flutter along the paths and tiny pearl crescents scatter through the wildflowers. Dragonflies to look out for include common whitetails and ebony jewelwings, especially along the streambed.
Wildlife Sightings
139 species have been reported at this site to date.
Birds Recently Seen at Whitney State Forest:
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 20 Jan 2026 | 20 | Marcus Fennema |
| 31 Dec 2025 | 11 | Marcus Fennema |
| 21 Dec 2025 | 26 | Andrew Eberly |
| 3 Nov 2025 | 13 | David Ledwith |
| 2 Nov 2025 | 18 | Thom Kaye |
Amenities & Accessibility
Amenities
- On-site Parking
Other Amenities: Bike Trails, Hiking Trails
Accessibility Considerations
This location does not have a Birdability Site Review available at this time
Learn more about Birdability’s efforts to map accessible outdoor spaces
Maps & Directions
Return northwest on Vint Hill Road for 1.5 miles to US 15/Lee Highway. Go left (west) on US 15 for 9.7 miles to Lovers Lane. Turn right and follow this road west for 0.8 miles to Lees Ridge Road. Turn left (southwest) on Lees Ridge Road and follow it for 0.6 miles to Whitney State Forest on the right.
Site Information
Access Requirements:
- Free, open daily sunrise to sunset
Contact Information:
- Gary Heiser; (804) 492-4121 heiserg@dof.virginia.gov
- Visit Website
Sites, or portions of sites, can be closed periodically for management activities. Please always check the site’s website for additional information prior to visiting.