$4 per day for a day pass, $23 for a yearly pass, or one of the acceptable licenses/waivers. More information below.

Highland Wildlife Management Area’s three separate tracts of land—Jack Mountain, Bullpasture Mountain and Little Doe Hill—comprise a total of 14,283 acres. Timber types are primarily upland hardwood forest of oak/hickory and mixed oak stands. A major exception to the area’s almost continuous forest habitat is an 80-acre opening of blue grass sod on the Jack Mountain tract that was formerly used as summer pasture. Small wildlife clearings and seeded logging roads provide additional herbaceous cover. Topography varies from gently sloping to steep. Elevations range from 1,800 to 4,390 feet, with most of the ridge tops in the 2,500 to 3,200 foot range. Management activities are concentrated in areas accessible by roads and habitat diversity is provided through small timber sales to create early successional habitat or enhance hard mast production. Plantings of trees and shrubs that produce soft mast (apple, dogwood, cherry, etc.) enhance available natural foods.

Directions

The management area is located in Highland County, approximately 30 miles west of Staunton. From Staunton, access to each of the area’s tracts is from U. S. Route 250 near McDowell; via Route 678 to the Bullpasture Mountain Tract and Bullpasture Gorge; Route 615 to the Jack Mountain Tract; and U. S. 250, west of McDowell, to the Little Doe Hill Tract. Williamsville is 12 miles north of Route 39 via Route 678. Consult the map for greater detail.

New Rules for Virginia WMAs
As of Jan 1, 2012, all Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries areas — pretty much any state WMA area — now requires either a valid VA (or non-resident VA) hunting license, fishing license, VA boat registration, or a paid Access Permit (daily, yearly, or group) to set foot on DGIF WMA lands. Waivers are only for those on official federal, state, or local government business, visiting graves, those 16 and younger, and those assisting disabled hunters who possess valid disabled hunter licenses. If you’re simply passing through via road, river, or the Appalachian Trail, you don’t need a pass, either.

Basically, all campsites in Virginia under the Fish and Wildlife category now cost a minimum of $4 per day for a day pass, $23 for a yearly pass, or one of the above licenses/waivers. Saltwater fishing licenses aren’t valid. (EDIT: freshwater licenses are $23/yr for residents). Learn more about the Access Permit »