Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area is a popular recreational area in the state of Virginia.
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Summary
It is located in Russell County and covers around 25,000 acres of land. There are plenty of reasons to visit this area, including its diverse wildlife, breathtaking views, and a variety of outdoor activities.
Visitors can explore the area's streams, creeks, and waterfalls, which offer excellent fishing opportunities. The area is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including black bears, wild turkeys, and white-tailed deer. Birdwatchers will enjoy spotting the many species of birds that call the area home, including the bald eagle.
Some of the most popular points of interest within the area include the scenic overlooks, which offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Visitors can also explore the hiking trails that wind through the area, providing opportunities to see the local wildlife up close.
Interesting facts about Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area include that it is one of the largest wildlife management areas in the state of Virginia. The area is also home to one of the largest populations of wild turkeys in the state.
The best time of year to visit Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area depends on the activities you are interested in. Spring and summer are the best times to visit for fishing and hiking. Fall is an excellent time to visit for hunting and viewing the fall foliage, while winter offers opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
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
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The Channels State Natural Area Preserve
Channels State Forest