The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) maintains Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) for the benefit of all citizens for a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. Many management areas are open for some type of hunting. These lands are purchased and maintained with hunting, fishing, and trapping license fees and with Wildlife Restoration Funds. We encourage the public to utilize our land and enjoy the bountiful natural resources found on each area.
Show WMAs With:
Amelia WMA
Amelia County
Amelia Wildlife Management Area is primarily upland habitat with approximately 175 acres of bottomland hardwoods and beaver swamps along the Appomattox River. Formerly farmland, much of the area… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Warmwater Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
- Boat Ramp(s)
- Range(s)
Big Survey WMA
Wythe County
The Big Survey Wildlife Management Area rests atop four mountain ridges in the middle of Wythe County, Virginia. The property’s 7,500-acre woodland is just south of Wytheville and divides the… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Hiking
- Birding
Big Woods WMA
Sussex County
Big Woods WMA is in the coastal plain and offers various aged pine forests with some hardwood bottom lands. Management here focuses on thinning pine stands and conducting prescribed fires in the… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Hiking
- Birding
Big Woods – Parker’s Branch Tract WMA
Sussex County
The Parker’s Branch Tract of Big Woods Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is 2,000 acres of cutovers, relatively young pine planation, and some hardwood, especially in the numerous swamps and sloughs.… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Hiking
- Birding
Briery Creek WMA
Prince Edward County
The area’s gently rolling terrain is typical of south-central Piedmont. Briery Creek Lake, formed by damming Briery Creek and Little Briery Creek, lies in the heart of the area. Historically,… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Warmwater Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
- Boat Ramp(s)
C.F. Phelps WMA
Fauquier County, Culpeper County
Most of the management area’s 4,539 acres are in southern Fauquier County with the balance being in Culpeper County. Over 1,000 of these acres are open, the result of their past use for… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Warmwater Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
- Boat Ramp(s)
- Range(s)
Cavalier WMA
Chesapeake (city)
Notice: Due to potential wildlife management concerns, horseback riding is not permitted on this WMA. Cavalier WMA provides coastal and forested habitats for a wide range of wildlife, including black… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Warmwater Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
Chickahominy WMA
Charles City County
The management area gains its name from the Chickahominy River which forms the area’s eastern boundary. To the south, Morris Creek flows through the area and then along its southern boundary.… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Warmwater Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
- Boat Ramp(s)
- Range(s)
Clinch Mountain WMA
Smyth County, Russell County, Washington County, Tazewell County
The area is dominated by mountains rising steeply from narrow valley floors. Due to difference in elevation a unique forest had developed. Tree species from both southern and northern forests are… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Trout Fishing
- Warmwater Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
- Boat Ramp(s)
- Range(s)
Crooked Creek WMA
Carroll County
The Crooked Creek Wildlife Management Area is located in the gently rolling mountains of Carroll county in Southwest Virginia. The area’s 1,796-acres, include both forested and open land and… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Trout Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
Dick Cross WMA
Mecklenburg County
Dick Cross (formerly Elm Hill) Wildlife Management Area is located in Mecklenburg County, along the north side of the Roanoke River just below John H. Kerr Dam. Gently rolling land, the area’s… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Warmwater Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
Dismal Swamp Tract of Cavalier WMA
Chesapeake (city)
One tract of land totaling 758 acres found adjacent to the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge is made up of mixed uplands and seasonal wetlands. The forest varies in age adding to the… (read more)
Doe Creek WMA
Accomack County
Doe Creek WMA is composed mostly of upland pine and hardwood mixed forest. The 447-acre tract also includes managed impoundments which provide hunters with the opportunity to harvest waterfowl. The… (read more)
- Hunting
- Primitive Camping
- Hiking
- Birding
Fairystone Farms WMA
Patrick County, Henry County
Fairystone Farms Wildlife Management Area occupies 5,321 acres, in Patrick and Henry Counties. Divided into several parcels, the management area surrounds much of Fairystone State Park and borders… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Hiking
- Birding
Featherfin WMA
Prince Edward County, Appomattox County, Buckingham County
Featherfin covers nearly 3,084 acres in Prince Edward, Appomattox, and Buckingham Counties. Numerous forested ridges and small drainages merge with the Appomattox River along Featherfin’s 10… (read more)
- Hunting
- Primitive Camping
- Warmwater Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
Game Farm Marsh WMA
New Kent County
Game Farm Marsh is on the northern shore of the Chickahominy lake in New Kent County adjacent to the Virginia Department of Forestry Tree Farm. The area’s entire 429 acres is wetland and can be… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Warmwater Fishing
- Birding
Gathright WMA
Bath County
Located in Bath County and divided by Lake Moomaw, the two tracts of the Gathright Wildlife Management Area contains 13,428 acres, encompassing three major mountains, Allegheny and Bolar Mountains… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Trout Fishing
- Warmwater Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
- Range(s)
Goshen and Little North Mountain WMA
Rockbridge County
Goshen and Little North Mountain are primarily forested, being dominated by upland hardwoods. Elevations on the area range from 1,326 to 3,400 feet. The steepest topography is on the Goshen parcel.… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Trout Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
Hardware River WMA
Fluvanna County
The majority of the Hardware River Wildlife Management Area is wooded, primarily with hardwood species. These include many of the oaks, plus maple, hickory and gum. Some pure pine stands are found on… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Trout Fishing
- Warmwater Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
- Boat Ramp(s)
Havens WMA
Roanoke County
Located in the Appalachian Highlands, this area has grown to 7,190 acres. Havens occupies a part of Fort Lewis Mountain, about five miles west of the Roanoke-Salem area. This is steep and generally… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Hiking
- Birding
Hidden Valley WMA
Washington County
Hidden Valley Wildlife Management Area is located in Southwest Virginia’s Washington County, and is bordered by Russell County along the area’s northwest boundary. This 6,400-acre… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Trout Fishing
- Warmwater Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
- Boat Ramp(s)
Highland WMA
Highland County
Highland Wildlife Management Area’s three separate tracts of land—Jack Mountain, Bullpasture Mountain and Little Doe Hill—comprise a total of 14,283 acres. Timber types are primarily upland… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Trout Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
Hog Island WMA
Surry County, Isle of Wight County
The 3908 acre Hog Island Wildlife Management Area consists of three tracts of land. Two of these are in Surry County — the Hog Island Tract at the end of the peninsula and the Carlisle Tract on the… (read more)
- Hunting
- Warmwater Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
- Boat Ramp(s)
Horsepen Lake WMA
Buckingham County
The area consists of 2,910 acres of rolling hills with numerous small streams and beaver ponds. It is situated on the southeastern part of the Slate River drainage at an elevation of about 500 feet.… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Hiking
- Birding
- Boat Ramp(s)
James River WMA
Nelson County
The area’s 1,213 acres vary from hilly in the upper woodland to level bottomland along the James River. Elevation ranges from 350 to 500 feet. The area fronts on the James River for a length of… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Hiking
- Birding
- Boat Ramp(s)
Land’s End WMA
King George County
The 462 acre Land’s End Wildlife Management Area (WMA) was established in 1966 and expanded in 1970. It consists of two tracts of land, the 50 acre Salem Church tract and the 412 acre… (read more)
- Hiking
- Birding
Mattaponi WMA
Caroline County
The Mattaponi WMA conserves important upper coastal plain wildlife habitat and provides quality wildlife-related recreation in central Virginia. The landscape ranges from mature upland hardwood and… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Warmwater Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
Mattaponi Bluffs WMA
Caroline County
The Mattaponi Bluffs Wildlife Management Area (WMA) was officially opened to the public on April 11, 2019. Mattaponi Bluffs is located in the north-central portion of Caroline County, in the Upper… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Warmwater Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
Merrimac Farm WMA
Prince William County
All of Merrimac Farm WMA’s 301 acres lie within Prince William County. Nearly one mile of Cedar Run forms the southern boundary and Quantico Marine Corps Base makes up much of the eastern… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Warmwater Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
Mockhorn Island WMA
Northampton County
Now you see it. Now you don’t. Mockhorn Island, the larger of the area’s two tracts, is an Atlantic coastal island of over 7,000 acres of tidal marshland. Visible during low tide, much of… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Birding
Oakley Forest WMA
Spotsylvania County
The Oakley Forest Wildlife Management Area is approximately 4,459 acres in size and is located in western Spotsylvania County, west of Todd’s Tavern. Oakley Forest WMA was part of a larger working… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Hiking
- Birding
Pettigrew WMA
Caroline County
Nearly level, the 934-acre Pettigew Wildlife Management Area’s modest elevations range from 50 to 200 feet. Most of the area is forested. Oaks and beech dominate hardwood stands, and pine… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Warmwater Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
Powhatan WMA
Powhatan County
Once part of several farms, this gently rolling upland is well drained by several small streams that slowly make their way to Sallee Creek. Sallee Creek traverses the area northward on its way to the… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Warmwater Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
- Boat Ramp(s)
Princess Anne WMA
Virginia Beach (city)
Four tracts, totaling 1,546 acres, make up the Princess Anne Wildlife Management Area. Beasley, Trojan and Whitehurst, are on the western shore of Back Bay, a slightly brackish body separated from… (read more)
- Hunting
- Birding
- Boat Ramp(s)
- No Camping
Ragged Island WMA
Isle of Wight County
The Ragged Island Wildlife Management Area consists of 1,537 acres of brackish marsh and small pine islands along the south side of the lower James River. The major marsh vegetation on the area is… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Hiking
- Birding
Rapidan WMA
Madison County, Greene County
The area consists of 10,326 acres broken into eight separate tracts distributed along the east slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Madison and Greene Counties. Four of these tracts adjoin Shenandoah… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Trout Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
Robert W. Duncan WMA
Caroline County
The Robert W. Duncan (RWD) Wildlife Management Area (WMA) was officially opened to the public on April 11, 2019. The RWD is nestled in the northeast corner of Caroline County, in the Upper Coastal… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Warmwater Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
Short Hills WMA
Rockbridge County, Botetourt County
Short Hills is made up of approximately 3,482 acres of mixed pine/hardwood, and 750 acres of open land that has been farmed in the past. The property is also noted for a high percentage of karst… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Hiking
- Birding
Smith Mountain Cooperative WMA
Bedford County, Pittsylvania County
Located in portions of Bedford and Pittsylvania Counties, the 4996 acre Smith Mountain property is owned by Appalachian Power Company and is cooperatively managed by the Virginia Department of… (read more)
- Hunting
- Warmwater Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
- No Camping
Stewarts Creek WMA
Carroll County
Stewart’s Creek Wildlife Management Area lies along the Blue Ridge Mountains and encompasses portions of the headwaters of the North and South Forks of the stream for which the area is named.… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Trout Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
Thompson WMA
Fauquier County
The major portion of the management area’s two parcels, totaling nearly 4,000 acres, is located in Northwestern Fauquier County. Beginning at its lower reaches, the property rises in a series… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Trout Fishing
- Warmwater Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
Turkeycock WMA
Franklin County, Henry County
Elongated Turkeycock Mountain Wildlife Management Area lies along the ridge of Turkeycock Mountain northeast of Martinsville. Here, the mountain’s ridge also forms the boundary between Franklin… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Warmwater Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
Ware Creek WMA
New Kent County
The uplands of Ware Creek WMA are comprised primarily of variously aged mixed pine and hardwood forests with some pine plantation. Agricultural fields offer upland habitat variety along with small… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Warmwater Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
Weston WMA
Fauquier County
Located near Casanova, close to the heart of Fauquier County’s horse country, the 271 acre Weston has a variety of habitat features. Mature hardwood forests predominate and are found on upland… (read more)
- Primitive Camping
- Hiking
- Birding
White Oak Mountain WMA
Pittsylvania County
More accurately a plateau, the topography of the White Oak Mountain Wildlife Management Area is moderately rolling with elevations ranging from about 550 to 900 feet. The area’s 2,748 acres are… (read more)
- Hunting
- Trapping
- Primitive Camping
- Warmwater Fishing
- Hiking
- Birding
- Range(s)