Chilton Woods State Forest

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Chilton Woods State Forest is a 1,785-acre state forest located in Halifax County, Virginia.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

It offers visitors a variety of recreational activities, including hiking, birdwatching, and hunting.

One of the main reasons to visit Chilton Woods State Forest is to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery. The forest is home to a diverse range of plant and animal life, including hardwood trees, wildflowers, and wildlife such as deer and turkey.

Visitors can explore the forest on a number of trails, including the 2.5-mile Chilton Woods Trail, which passes through a variety of habitats and offers scenic views of the surrounding landscape.

Another point of interest in Chilton Woods State Forest is the John H. Kerr Reservoir, which is located adjacent to the forest. The reservoir offers opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming.

Interesting facts about Chilton Woods State Forest include its history as a former plantation and its use as a site for timber harvesting in the early 20th century. The forest is also home to a number of historic structures, including a log cabin that dates back to the 18th century.

The best time of year to visit Chilton Woods State Forest depends on the activities you are interested in. For hiking and birdwatching, spring and fall are optimal times to visit. Summer is a great time for water activities, while hunting season runs from September through February.

       

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
View more

Featured Parks