Description
The 258-acre Crawfords State Forest is composed primarily of loblolly pine with various interspersed deciduous hardwoods. American holly dominates as the principle understory species. The site provides habitat for migrant and nesting songbirds such as American goldfinch, Carolina wren, and Carolina chickadee. Access to the forest is provided through a gated road, which is off limits to vehicular traffic. A map of the property can be found on the Department of Forestry website.
The natural area was dedicated to the memory of Robert Richardson and Julia Richardson by their daughter, Elizabeth Bowcock, in 1989.
Wildlife Sightings
Birds Recently Seen at Crawfords State Forest:
- Bald Eagle
- Red-bellied Woodpecker
- Downy Woodpecker
- Hairy Woodpecker
- Pileated Woodpecker
- Northern Flicker
- Yellow-throated Vireo
- Red-eyed Vireo
- Carolina Chickadee
- Tufted Titmouse
104 species have been reported at this site to date.
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Sep 2026 | 18 | Kelly Creger |
| 1 Apr 2026 | 1 | Cody Pfadenhauer |
| 4 Jan 2026 | 2 | Michael Snead |
| 1 Jan 2026 | 19 | Brett Bennett |
| 31 Dec 2025 | 2 | Travis Webb |
Amenities & Accessibility Considerations
Site Amenities
- On-site Parking
- No Fee or Permit/Pass Requirement
Other Site Amenities: Bike Trails, Hiking Trails
Maps & Directions
Physical Coordinates: 37.4535 -77.080167
The only trailhead on the property, a small grass parking lot, can be found 1.75 miles west of Providence Forge on the south side of Rt. 60.
From I-295 and I-64 in Sandston, head east on I-64, take exit 205 for VA-33 W toward VA-249 E/US-60/Bottoms Bridge/Quinton, merge onto VA-33/New Kent Highway, turn left onto US-60 E/Pocahontas Trail, continue west 1.1 miles and turn at the median cut through. Crawfords State Forest will be on the right side of the eastbound lanes. A small Department of Forestry sign marks the site.
Site Information
Managed By:
Access Requirements:
Contact Information:
- Visit Website
Sites, or portions of sites, can be closed periodically for management activities. Please always check the site’s website for additional information prior to visiting.