2025-2026 Hunting Opportunities
The natural hunting destination.
| Hunting Contacts | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia State Park | Phone Number | County | Hunt Packet | Avenza Map |
| Caledon State Park | 540-663-3861 | King George County | Packet | Map |
| Chippokes State Park | 757-294-3728 | Surry County | Packet | Map |
| Claytor Lake State Park | 540-643-2500 | Pulaski County | Packet | Map |
| Fairy Stone State Park - OPEN HUNT | 276-930-2424 | Patrick County | Map | |
| Grayson Highlands State Park | 276-579-7092 | Grayson County | Packet | Map |
| Grayson Highlands State Park - OPEN HUNT | 276-579-7092 | Grayson County | Map | |
| Hungry Mother State Park - OPEN HUNT | 276-781-7400 | Smyth County | Map | |
| Kiptopeke State Park | 757-331-2267 | Northampton County | Packet | Map |
| Lake Anna State Park | 540-854-5503 | Spotsylvania County | Packet | Map |
| Leesylvania State Park | 703-730-8205 | Prince William County | Packet | Map |
| Machicomoco State Park | 804-642-2419 | Gloucester County | Packet | Map |
| Mason Neck State Park | 703-339-2384 | Fairfax County | ||
| Natural Tunnel State Park | 276-940-2674 | Scott County | Packet | Map |
| Occoneechee State Park - OPEN HUNT | 434-374-2210 | Mecklenburg County | Map | |
| Pocahontas State Park | 804-796-4255 | Chesterfield County | Packet | Map |
| Pocahontas State Park - ARCHERY HUNT | 804-796-4255 | Chesterfield County | Map | |
| Shenandoah River State Park | 540-622-6840 | Warren County | Packet | Map |
| Smith Mountain Lake State Park | 540-297-6066 | Bedford County | Packet | Map |
| Staunton River State Park | 434-572-3694 | Halifax County | ||
| Staunton River State Park (Falkland State Conservation Area ) | 434-572-3694 | Halifax County | Packet | Map |
| Sweet Run State Park | 540-668-6230 | Loudoun County | Packet | Map |
| Widewater State Park | 540-288-1400 | Stafford County | Packet | Map |
| Widewater State Park - NOVICE HUNT | 540-288-1400 | Stafford County | Map | |
| York River State Park | 757-566-3036 | James City County | Packet | Map |
Virginia State Parks offer a wide variety of hunting opportunities as well as countless other outdoor activities for the entire family. Hunting opportunities range from open hunting in designated areas to managed deer hunts where individuals participate through a reservation. Specific sites that offer hunting may change from year to year. Managed deer hunts are a tool in Virginia State Parks’ overall deer management program. Participating hunters are asked to support our management efforts by following harvest guidelines associated with each hunt.
Visit this page often for the most up-to-date information regarding hunting dates, opening dates for reservation periods, number of hunters per day, allowable weapon types and other special requirements. All reservation hunts have a $15 reservation fee. Hunter education certification is required. All hunts have special terms and conditions.
Overnight Accommodations
Virginia State Parks also provides comfortable and economical overnight accommodations, with housekeeping cabins and campsites ranging from primitive sites to sites with electric and water hookups. Accommodations are available at many sites during part of the hunting season. To make hunting reservations, as well as to make reservations for overnight accommodations in Virginia State Parks, visit https://reservevaparks.com/Web/ or call the State Parks Customer Service Center at 800-933-7275 (PARK) Option 5. Reservations may be made up to two days prior to the requested day of the hunt, provided payment can be made at the time of reservation, and that space is available. Learn about park cabins, camping and lodges.
Reservation Hunts
Hunters may reserve a preferred day and, at some sites, a preferred stand or zone. There is a non-refundable reservation fee of $15 per day; there may be limits to the number of reservations allowed per transaction. Proof of hunter education certification and required licenses must be presented at check-in. To make a reservation, visit online at https://reservevaparks.com/Web/ or call the State Parks Customer Service Center at 1-800-933-PARK (7275) Option 5 to participate. All reservations will open at 9 a.m. on the date listed in the hunting opportunities chart.
New Hunting Opportunity at Machicomoco State Park: Don’t miss your chance to hunt one of Virginia’s newest parks. This year, DCR will offer a managed hunt on December 1 and 2, 2025, at Machicomoco State Park.
New accessible hunting stand at Kiptopeke State Park: There is a new hunting stand for hunters with mobility-impairment disabilities. Please contact the park office at 757-331-2267 to reserve this stand once the reservation period begins for this park.
Special Youth Hunts: A special youth hunt is planned for November 4, 2025, at Shenandoah River State Park (muzzleloader). To participate, youth ages 12-17 should follow the same process as for our other hunts. Note that youth ages 16-17 may hunt alone, youth ages 12-15 must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult (with valid hunter safety certification).
Pocahontas Archery Hunt by Permit: Pocahontas State Park offers an opportunity for archery hunters to obtain a permit for archery hunting in special designated areas. Approximately 2,500 acres are open on designated days only to archery hunters who obtain a permit through the main park office. Permits are valid from October 6, 2025, through January 2, 2026, Monday – Friday only, and are limited to a total of 100 permits. Permit fees will be $50 and a mandatory in-person safety briefing will be required. All normal DWR regulations and bag limits apply to this hunt. Proof of hunter safety education course completion is required to obtain a permit.
Open Hunts: Open hunting opportunities are available at Fairy Stone, Grayson Highlands, Hungry Mother and Occoneechee State Parks. See the maps of the open hunting areas. All DWR hunting regulations apply.
Portions of Fairy Stone State Park are included in a cooperative agreement with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and the United States Army Corps of Engineers to provide public hunting access in Patrick and Franklin Counties. All DWR hunting regulations apply. A daily parking fee is required while parked at Fairy Stone State Park.
The open hunting area at Grayson Highlands State Park includes 1,117 acres in the northern section of the park and is adjacent to Mount Roger’s National Recreation Area. The public open hunting area can be accessed via Massie Gap and the Seed Orchard Trail. All DWR hunting regulations apply. Hunting with dogs off-leash is not allowed. A daily parking fee is required.
Open hunting is permitted in the northern section of Hungry Mother State Park. The area includes 863 acres and can be accessed via State Highway 16. All DWR hunting regulations apply. A daily parking fee is required.
Open hunting is permitted on 1,900 acres in the southeast portion of Occoneechee State Park. Hunters can park at one of two parking areas to access the property. All DWR hunting regulations apply. A daily parking fee is required.
Cooperative Hunts
Wheelin’ Sportsmen Hunt: There are three special opportunities for people with mobility-impairment disabilities to participate in hunts. Special Muzzleloader hunts will be held at Shenandoah River State Park on November 3, 2025, and at Lake Anna State Park on November 4, 2025. A special General Firearms hunt will be held at Staunton River State Park on November 22, 2025. Applications will be available August 1, 2025, and the deadline is September 1, 2025. Apply or download the application at www.vanwtf.org. Contact Robin Clark, 434-249-6154, huntvaws@gmail.com for more info.
Mason Neck State Park: This hunt is run in conjunction with the Potomac River National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Hunt dates are November 18, 2025, and December 2, 2025. Permits will be available for purchase September 20, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. and will be sold on a first come first serve basis. Orientation and permit sales are administered on https://potomacriverrefugehunts.recaccess.com/. All selected hunters must attend an orientation and show proof of weapons qualification in order to participate.
Claytor Lake State Park Youth Deer Hunting Workshop: This workshop and hunt for youth (ages 12-17) is held in conjunction with the Department of Wildlife Resources. Workshop includes a Friday evening (December 12, 2025) seminar on deer biology/management, hunting safety/ethics and muzzleloader safety, and a Saturday guided muzzleloader hunt (December 13, 2025). Participants must be accompanied by a nonhunting adult and meet all hunter education and licensing requirements. For more information and to register, contact Tracy Howard at 540-641-4455, tracydeanhoward@yahoo.com.
Widewater State Park Novice Hunter Workshop: This workshop is for novice hunters, age 18 and older, who would like to receive a supplemental education that goes beyond the required hunter education course. Held in cooperation with the Department of Wildlife Resources, novices will be paired one-on-one with an experienced mentor who will offer invaluable knowledge and expertise. Hunts will take place on October 29, 2025, (archery only) and December 4, 2025, & December 11, 2025 (shotgun, non-lead slugs only). Interested novice hunters should contact Jason Miller, DWR Region 4 Hunter Education Coordinator, jason.miller@dwr.virginia.gov. Instructions for the State Park hunting permit and related fees will be provided during the selection notification process.
Hunts at Natural Area Preserves
DCR also holds hunts at several Natural Area Preserves. To learn about and apply for these hunts, please visit this site.
Virginia State Parks Hunting Rules
- Hunting and camping are permitted only in designated areas.
- Virginia game laws apply in all designated hunting areas.
- Hunting is prohibited within 100 yards of all state park buildings and roads.
- Lottery and reservation hunts require proof of completion of a hunter safety course.
- State law requires hunters to wear blaze orange or blaze pink. The minimum required by law is a blaze orange or blaze pink cap or vest; most managed hunts at state parks require a blaze orange or blaze pink vest, which is more than required by state regulations.
Virginia Hunting General Information
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources oversees hunting, fishing and boating activity in the commonwealth. Click here for hunting and trapping regulations and information.
