Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage
Stanton Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA), located in Lee County, Virginia, encompasses around 2,600 acres of forested hills, creeks, and hardwood bottomlands. It sits within the Appalachian Plateau physiographic region, featuring rugged terrain with elevations ranging from approximately 1,300 to 2,250 feet. The landscape is dominated by mixed oak and hickory forests, punctuated by riparian zones along Stanton Creek and smaller tributaries, supporting a wide variety of plant and animal species. This area is managed by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources primarily to conserve and enhance habitat for game species such as white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and various small game. The area's creeks and ponds provide opportunities for anglers targeting warmwater fish species. Visitors enjoy activities such as hiking, wildlife observation, and seasonal hunting. Rustic trails wind through the habitat, offering peaceful forest walks and birdwatching spots. The WMA’s history includes past timber harvesting and land reclamation efforts that have shaped its current second-growth forest condition. Access is mostly via gravel forest roads and parking areas along Stanton Creek Road (Route 615). Remote and seldom crowded, the area appeals to hunters, anglers, and nature enthusiasts looking for natural beauty combined with quiet solitude. Its management supports ecological integrity while allowing for sustainable public use in line with Virginia’s conservation goals.
