George Washington & Jefferson Forested mountains viewed from the White Rocks on Little Sluice Mountain. Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky 38°12′N 79°21′W May 16, 1918 1,790,932 acres (7,247.6 km2) In the Appalachian Mountains, the highest point of the forest is Mount Rogers, also the highest point in Virginia at 5,729 ft (1,746 m) in Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. There are 230,000 acres (93,000 ha) of old-growth forest here, and the Blue Ridge Parkway and Appalachian Trail both run through the forest.

George Washington National Forest

gwj gwj GIS Data The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests The George Washington National Forest in west central Virginia and the Jefferson National Forest in southwest Virginia were administratively combined in 1995 to form the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. The two national forests contain nearly 1.8 million acres; one of the largest blocks of public land in the eastern United States. The forests include 1,664,110 acres in Virginia, 123,629 acres in West Virginia, and 961 acres in Kentucky. The forest headquarters is the Forest Supervisor’s Office in Roanoke, Virginia. The forests include the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and seven Ranger Districts.

The forests are primarily Appalachian hardwood and mixed pine-hardwood forest types located within the Blue Ridge, Central Ridge and Valley, Allegheny, and Cumberland Plateau provinces. The forests are home to:

The forests are managed for multiple uses and provide many products and benefits. Developed recreation opportunities are offered at over 200 sites on the forests (including campgrounds, picnic areas and boat launches), along with nearly 2,200 miles of trails, and 1,700 miles of open roads. Elevations range from 5,729 feet at Mount Rogers to 515 feet along the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. Highlights include:

Special Places

In addition to the abundant recreational opportunities the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests provide, there are several areas that are recognizable on a national level. Each of the following areas are unique in their own regard, and have received a national designation. These are some of the Special Places on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests:

Appalachian Trail

Appalachian TrailThe Appalachian Trail is America's footpath and the first National Scenic Trail. First envisioned in 1921, and first completed by citizen volunteers in 1937, the "A.T." has been a.... more Mount Rogers National Recreation Area

Mount Rogers National Recreation AreaLocated in southwest Virginia, the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area (NRA) manages approximately 200,000 acres of National Forest land near Mount Rogers. The area features four.... more Virginia Creeper Trail

Virginia Creeper TrailThe Virginia Creeper is a shared-use trail connecting Abingdon, Virginia, with the Virginia-North Carolina border 1.1 miles east of Whitetop Station, Virginia. The total length of the trail is....more Wildernesses

“Wilderness” is a word with widely different meanings to different people. For the U.S. Forest Service, Wilderness refers to a designated area of national forest land established as....more

Recreation

Sherando Lake Recreation Area Sherando Lake Sherando Lake Recreation Area is known locally as the jewel of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Families enjoy picnicking in this shaded and woody area, while relaxing on the sandy beach of a 25 acre spring-fed lake. Access to multiple trailheads and rustic architecture provide numerous points of interest for families to enjoy. Cascades Day Use Area Cascade Falls Cascades Day Use Area is one of the most popular outdoor recreation spots in southwest Virginia. It features shady picnic spots, a native trout stream, and a 4-mile scenic loop trail. The main attraction is the scenic 66 foot Cascade Falls, a dramatic waterfall located two miles from the parking area. A natural pool at the base of the falls provides a chilly reprieve from the heat of a summer day.

Hiking

General Information

Hiking is allowed on open forest roads, on many forest roads that are gated to prevent motor vehicle travel, and on more than 1,925 miles of trails on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. Cross-country (off-trail) hiking is also allowed throughout the forest, except for specific areas signed against foot travel due to resource concerns. Permits are NOT required to hike in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.

Many trails are open to multiple non-motorized uses; meaning the trails are shared by hikers, horse riders, and bicyclists. Information on allowed trail uses is available on trailhead signs and the National Geographic-Trails Illustrated map for the area, or by contacting the nearest Ranger District office.

Trail Etiquette:

Trail Etiquette for multiple use trails calls for horses to have the right-of-way. Hikers should yield to horses. Bicyclists should yield to horses and hikers.

Trail Name Abbreviations:

Note: that trails on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests contain an abbreviation in the trail name’s title. These abbreviations represent the ranger district where each trail resides. These abbreviations are as follows:

-
ClinchRD -
Clinch Ranger District
EDRD -
Eastern Divide Ranger District
Glenwood & Pedlar Ranger Districts -
Glenwood & Pedlar Ranger Districts
JRRD -
James River Ranger District
LeeRD -
Lee Ranger District
MRNRA -
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
NRRD -
North River Ranger District
WSRD -
Warm Springs Ranger District

Hang Gliding Areas

Target Shooting Areas