There are 15 Congressionally designated Wildernesses on the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. The Forest Service is charged by Congress to manage these areas to protect and enhance the natural conditions, and provide opportunities for solitude and unconfined recreation. 

Wildernesses offer refuge from the bustle and stress of modern civilization. You are free to explore and discover all that Wilderness provides including solitude, challenge, scenic beauty, and natural ecosystems. 

Hunting and fishing are permitted within the Wilderness in accordance with Virginia State regulations. 

The Wilderness is primitive in nature. Modern facilities such as toilets, piped water, shelters or campgrounds are unavailable. Wilderness entry is by foot or horseback. Motorized vehicles and equipment such as all-terrain vehicles and chainsaws as well as mechanized equipment such as bicycles and wheeled carts are prohibited. There are few, if any, signs to guide you so you will be challenged to be self-sufficient and creative. 

The Forest Service bears with great pride the stewardship of these unique lands for this and future generations. Both visitors and managers must take responsibility to ensure that the Wilderness is an enduring resource. You can help by practicing the Leave No Trace land ethic during your wilderness visit. 

Leave No Trace 

As more people seek to escape the mechanized world and experience nature on its own terms, the wilderness is becoming more impacted from our visits. To ensure that future visitors can have the same high quality wilderness experience, each person must take responsibility to minimize the impact of their visit. 

Some important things you can do:

• Carry out everything you bring in. 
• Don't leave trash that may spoil another person's visit. 
• Use a stove instead of building a fire. 
• If a campfire is necessary, keep it small and tend to it at all times. 
• Use small dead and down material for fires. 
• Never cut or damage live trees. 
• Bury human waste at least 200 feet from water sources. 
• Refrain from taking rocks, wildflowers, antlers, and artifacts 

The most effective way to prevent mishaps is to adequately prepare for the trip. Be aware of the hazards inherent in hiking or horseback riding. Knowledge of the area, weather, terrain, and limitations of your body and equipment, plus a little common sense, can help to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip. Plan your route so you won't overexert yourself or your horse. A group trip should be designed for the weakest member of the group. Let a friend or family member know your plans and estimated return time. Be sure to check back in to avoid unnecessary alarm. 

Maps - Compass: Obtain, study, and carry detailed maps and a compass. Remember, outdoor skills are important. There are often no or few trails and these are likely unmarked. Terrain is often rugged and remote and help in emergencies is far away. 

Drinking water is a must and should be carried in. Water is very scarce in the area most of the year. If you must use springs or streams, be sure to treat the water, preferably by boiling for at least 5 minutes to prevent various parasitic diseases such as giardiasis. 

Weather - Hypothermia: Be aware of the weather and how fast and drastically it can change, particularly at higher elevations. Be alert to symptoms of hypothermia. It can and does occur at temperatures well above freezing. Look for uncontrolled shivering, incoherence, fumbling hands, stumbling, and drowsiness. Treat by quickly drying and warming the victim. 
Question concerning the Wildernesses of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests should be referred to the appropriate Ranger District office . The Ranger District offices are listed under the name of each Wilderness. 

The 5,700-acre Barbours Creek wilderness contains rugged and remote mountain terrain on the southeastern slope of Potts Mountain, offering good opportunities for solitude. The area is covered with hardwood forest interspersed with yellow pine on the south and west exposures. Hemlock and white pine are found in the major drainages. Elevations range from 1,700 feet along Barbours Creek to 3,800 feet along Potts Mountain. The area contains a variety and abundance of wildlife and Lipes Branch contains some native brook trout. Lipes Branch trail, maintained for foot and horse travel from the Pines Campground to the top of Potts Mountain, is the only maintained trail in the area. 

The 5,609 acres that comprise the Beartown Wilderness are some of the most remote in the Jefferson National Forest. The topography is rugged and steep, particularly at the head of the drainages. There are no improved roads to the wilderness boundary and the few old primitive roads within the area are being reclaimed by natural vegetation. The Appalachian Trail borders the southern edge of the wilderness area and provides hiker access. Vegetation within the area is quite diversified. Appalachian hardwoods, northern spruce-fir, northern hardwood and hemlock all exist at various elevations. A few identified rare plants and a sphagnum bog provide further interest. Roaring Fork Creek, Bark Camp Creek, Cove Branch and some beaver ponds are water features. Roaring Fork Creek is a native trout stream. 

The James River Face Wilderness was the first designated wilderness area on national forests in Virginia designated by the 1975 Wilderness Act. Together with the more recently designated Thunder Ridge Wilderness on the south side of Forest Service 35, the two wildernesses make up a wilderness resource of almost 11,500 acres. Elevations range from 650 feet at the James River to 3,073 feet at Highcock Knob. The area has an unusually large diversity of vegetation within and close to the boundary, especially in the James River Gorge. There are six maintained trails including the Appalachian Trail within the wilderness. The Sulphur Springs, Balcony Falls and Piney Ridge Trails are open to horseback riders and hikers. All other trails are open only to hikers. 

Kimberling Creek Wilderness contains 5,542 acres. Elevations range from 2,282 feet at its lowest point on Kimberling Creek to 3,200 feet on Hogback Mountain. Vegetation is comprised of mixed hardwoods with white pine and yellow pine scattered throughout. The understory consists mostly of dogwood, sourwood, red maple, mountain laurel and rhododendron. Wildlife is found throughout the area and consists mostly of deer, turkey and grouse along with nongame species. There are no native trout streams in the area. Little evidence exists of man's past use except for a few old, abandoned roads. This lack of evidence of man's activity is a major attribute of the area. Use of the area is light. 

The 5,700 acre Lewis Fork Wilderness Area is located on the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area Ranger District. 

Lewis Fork is one of the most heavily used wilderness areas in the Southeast. Those wanting solitude should use the area on weekdays or during low-use seasons. The following trails are heavily used and should be avoided if you desire solitude: Appalachian Trail, Mount Rogers Trail, Virginia Highlands Trail, and the Mount Rogers Spur Trail. 

The trails offering the most solitude are: Grassy Branch, Helton Creek, and Sugar Maple. 

All trails are open to foot and horse travel except the following foot only-trails: Appalachian Trail, Mount Rogers Trail, Mount Rogers Spur Trail, Cliffside Trail, Pine Mountain Trail, and Lewis Fork Spur Trail. 

Little Dry Run Wilderness is located on the east end of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. It contains 2,858 acres with elevations ranging from 2,440 feet along Little Dry Run at the northeast boundary to 3,614 feet near the center of the area. The area has a number of small ridges and drainages. It is one of the most accessible wilderness areas on the Forest. Wildlife in the area is diverse and Little Dry Run is a native trout stream. This is a lightly used area with only one trail within the wilderness. Most of the recreation use in the general area is on the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail just outside the southern boundary of the area. One parking area is located on U.S. 21, about 2 miles south of Speedwell. A second parking area is on the Virginia Highlands Trail (337) near the southeast corner of the wilderness. 

The 3,900 acre Little Wilson Creek wilderness is located in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area Ranger District in Jefferson National Forest. 

Sections of Little Wilson Creek Wilderness are heavily used, while other sections offer opportunities for solitude. Those wanting solitude should use the area on weekdays or during low-use seasons. 

The following trails are heavily used and should be avoided if you desire solitude: Appalachian Trail, First Peak Trail and Bearpen Trail. 

The trails offering the most solitude are: Little Wilson Creek Trail, Kabel Trail, and Hightree Rock Trail. 

All trails are open to foot and horse travel except the Appalachian Trail and the Little Wilson Creek Trail. 

The 11,113-acre Mountain Lake Wilderness is the largest wilderness area on the Jefferson National Forest. Named for nearby Mountain Lake, the only natural lake in western Virginia, it consists of a highland plateau, which sits squarely on the Eastern Continental Divide. The area has diverse natural and ecological values, which include stands of virgin spruce and hemlock, a mountain bog, significantly diverse flora and fauna, and War Spur Overlook, and a cliff that provides an exceptional view of much of the wilderness. Elevations vary from 2,200 to 4,100 feet. The area also represents outstanding opportunities for primitive recreation. 

The Ramsey's Draft Wilderness presents the visitor with the diversity of dry ridge tops with expansive overlooks and cool, clear creeks darkened by ancient trees. Several stands of magnificent virgin hemlock, very rare in Virginia, are included in this area of more than 6,500 acres. Elevations in the Wilderness range from 2,200 feet to 4,282 feet atop Hardscrabble Knob. 

The 6,450-acre Rich Hole Wilderness was established by Congress in 1988, making it one of the newest entries into the Wilderness Preservation System. Named for the rich soils that can be found in the head of drainages or "holes" on Brushy Mountain, Rich Hole harbors a diverse array of flora and fauna including some old growth hardwood species. As in the majority of wildernesses in the East, the area was once intensly used by man and is now returning to natural ecological processes. Elevations range from 1500 feet to nearly 3500 feet on the crest of Brushy Mountain. The area represents excellent opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation. 

The 9,300-acre Rough Mountain Wilderness was designated by Congress in 1988. It features steep ridges, dry drainages and offers excellent opportunities for solitude and primitive recreation. The predominant plant communities are upland hardwoods on the ridges and drainages and southern yellow pines on the south facing slopes. Elevations range from 1150 feet to 2842 feet at Griffin Knob. 

The Saint Mary's Wilderness is 9,835 acres of solitude and spectacular scenery, offering the hiker, camper, fisherman and photographer enjoyment of special features including vast quartzite rock slides, a picturesque double waterfall, and miniature canyons of angular rocks along heavily forested river banks. 

The wilderness encompasses the upper parts of St. Mary's, Cedra Hollow and Spyum drainages on the western slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 

The 3,467-acre Shawvers Run Wilderness Area contains rugged and remote mountains covered with hardwood forest interspersed with yellow pine. Hemlock and white pine occur in the major drainages. Elevations range from 2,000 feet along Shawvers Run to 3,800 feet atop Hanging Rock. Shawvers Run drainage and the headwaters of Valley Branch offer excellent opportunities for solitude and a feeling of remoteness. Hanging Rock, a 240-acre unique geologic area with a panoramic view, is near the southern boundary. The area contains a significant variety and abundance of wildlife, and Valley Branch and Shawvers Run contain some native brook trout. There are no maintained trails within the wilderness. 

The 2,344-acre Thunder Ridge Wilderness lies high on the northeastern slope of the Blue Ridge. It borders the Blue Ridge Parkway for its length on the southeastern side and the Appalachian Trail runs through the wilderness. Thunder Ridge and the adjacent James River Face Wilderness make up a wilderness resource of almost 11,500 acres. Elevations range from 1,320 feet at the northwest corner to 4,200 feet at Apple Orchard Mountain. The vegetation on the high slopes is mixed upland and cove hardwoods. Wildlife includes deer, bear, turkey, grouse, squirrel, rabbit, raccoon and fox. There are also many nongame species. Several threatened and endangered plants and one animal species occur, or have occurred in the past, in the area.