First a little history about the Prince Edward-Gallion State Forest.
The Virginia State Forest system had its beginning in 1919 when Emmett D. Gallion bequeathed 588 acres to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Mr. Gallion donated his property to advance the course of forestry in the southern piedmont of Virginia. This donation is the core of the Prince Edward-Gallion State Forest, which was established to demonstrate good forest management, provide a land base for applied forest research, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and to provide for outdoor recreation.
In the mid-1930s, much of the land in Virginia�s Piedmont had become unproductive and was highly eroded. At that time, the federal government began purchasing marginal farmland under the Bankhead- Jones Farm Tenant Act, enacted to help conserve and restore the health of the land. Much of this purchased land was soon leased to the state and in 1939 became Prince Edward Gallion State Forest. In 1954, the federal government deeded the land to the Commonwealth of Virginia, adding to the original land bequeathed by Mr. Gallion. Under the Virginia Department of Forestry�s management, the forest grew to its present 6,461 acres. Remnants of the area�s farming past can be seen in the old cemeteries and homesteads scattered throughout the forest.
To ensure your safety, read our complete state forest regulations before visiting a forest.
- No removal of any tree, plant or mineral.
- Remove all trash.
- Motorized vehicles of any type are prohibited - okay on forest roads
- No camping, or public display of alcohol.
- No fireworks, campfires or open air fires of any type.
- Firearms are prohibited except for hunting purposes.
- Hunting is permitted with a valid State Forest Use Permit and valid hunting license in accordance with state hunting regulations. PEGSF hunting map.
- Fishing in designated areas only in accordance with state fishing regulations.
- Gasoline motorized boats are not permitted.
- Vehicular traffic on established roads only; not permitted on gated roads
This part of the forest is a game sanctuary so there is no hunting.
This should be a quick cache at the beginning of the Gallion Forest Road.