Cumberland State Forest is Virginia’s second largest at 16, 751 Oak Hill Rd, Cumberland, VA 23040154 acres. Most of the forest is in Cumberland County, with a small portion in Buckingham County. It has a diversity of pine and hardwood forest types, with land ranging from flat bottomlands to moderate slopes. The forest is managed for multiple uses: timber, wildlife, recreation, water quality, biodiversity, research, and demonstration.
Approximately 121 miles of waterways flow through or adjacent to the forest, including more than 15 miles of the Willis River, 26 miles of perennial streams, 47 miles of intermittent streams, and 32 miles of ephemeral streams. The property contains four small lakes; Bonbrook, Arrowhead, Winston, and Oak Hill. Cumberland State Forest contains several vernal pools. Most of these seasonally-flooded wetlands are less than ¼ acre in size. They are typically largest during wet, winter months and completely dry during the summer.
Approximately 100 years ago, most of this area was either active or abandoned farmland. Evidence from this past land use remains visible today. Rock piles can be found scattered
across the forest where farmers cleared them to cultivate the land. Hills and furrows created by plowing can still be found on the forest floor of many timber stands.
The Cumberland State Forest Office, also known as the “Trenton” house, is listed in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources inventory. The main house was constructed by Dr. John Trent in 1815. The “Oak Hill “ house, located on Oak Hill Forest Road, was built by the Thornton family around 1810. Bear Creek Lake State Park lies within the boundaries of the state forest.
Directions From Camp Parsons: 12 min (6.3 miles)
- Camp Parsons - 214 Wood Haven Trail, Cumberland, VA 23040
- Head north on Wood Haven Trail - 1.1 mi
- Turn right onto VA-45 N - 1.7 mi
- Turn right onto US-60 E - 0.3 mi
- Turn left onto Forest View Rd - 3.3 mi
- Continue straight onto State Forest Headquarters Rd/Tatum Rd
Phone: (804) 492-4121
Address: 751 Oak Hill Rd, Cumberland, VA 23040
