Description
Elevation: 1829 ft.
T. M. Gathright Wildlife Management Area stretches along the Alleghany Mountains to the West Virginia State Line. Along Rt. 600, numerous opportunities present themselves to park and walk up into the mountains from the road. This access facilitates wildlife watching opportunities in a variety of habitats and altitudinal zones. In the forest close to the road, the woods are filled with yellow poplar, white pine and paw-paw which, in turn, attract many woodland species including red-bellied and pileated woodpeckers, acadian flycatcher, eastern wood pewee, white-breasted nuthatch, red-eyed, blue-headed, and yellow throated vireo, and eastern towhee. Look to the roadside meadows for black-eyed Susan, crown vetch and Queen Anne’s lace, which attract eastern tiger swallowtails and silver-spotted skippers in droves. These open areas are also frequented by indigo buntings, which can often be seen singing from high prominent perches. In late summer, the meadows host the aptly-named Halloween pennant as they cruise the wildflowers in search of a meal. For the more adventurous, the higher elevations of the WMA are accessible through a number of challenging uphill hikes. These hikers can be rewarded with sightings of scarlet tanager, rose-breasted grosbeak and a number of warblers including cerulean, hooded, black-throated green and black-throated blue.
Notes:
- To Access the Site: A Restore the Wild Membership, Virginia hunting license, freshwater fishing license, boat registration, or an access permit is required.
- This site may be closed during certain times of year for hunting or land management. See seasonal access information on the T. M. Gathright WMA website.
- If you are visiting this site during hunting seasons, please wear blaze orange/pink for safety.
Wildlife Sightings
Birds Recently Seen at T. M. Gathright Wildlife Management Area:
93 species have been reported at this site to date.
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Jun 2022 | 37 | Megan Massa |
| 3 Jun 2022 | 7 | Claire Nemes |
| 3 Jun 2022 | 7 | Megan Massa |
| 30 May 2022 | 43 | Atlee Wise |
| 30 May 2022 | 43 | Megan Massa |
Amenities & Accessibility Considerations
Site Amenities
- On-site Parking
- No Fee or Permit/Pass Requirement
Other Site Amenities: Camping/Lodging, Hiking Trails
Maps & Directions
Physical Address: T. M. Gathright Wildlife Management Area, Hot Springs, VA 24445
From I 581 N/US 220 N in Roanoke, continue for 5.4 miles. Then, take exit 1N to merge onto I 81 N/US 220 N toward Lexington. In 6.8 miles, take exit 150B for US 11 N/US 220 N toward Troutville/Fincastle. Keep right to follow signs for US 220 N/Fincastle and merge onto US 11/US 220. In 0.3 miles, turn right onto US 220 N. After 34.3 miles, keep right and follow signs for US 60/US 220 N/I 64/Covington/Lexington and merge onto US 220 S/US 60 BUS E. In 0.6 miles, turn right onto I 64 E/US 60 E and continue for 1.5 miles. Then, take exit 29 for SR 42 N toward SR 269 E. In 16.5 miles, turn left onto SR 39 W followed by a left onto US 220 S in 13.0 miles. Turn right onto SR 39 W and continue for 11.2 miles. Turn left onto SR 600 and continue to find pullout areas on either side.
From I 64 in Charlottesville/Waynesboro, continue west. Take the I 81 S exit toward I 64 W/Lexington/Roanoke and merge onto I 64 W/I 81 S. In 0.6 miles, take exit 220 for SR 262 toward US 11 and continue onto SR 262 N. In 4.2 miles, take the SR 254/Parkersburg Pike exit. In 0.3 miles, turn left onto SR 254 W and then continue for 49.4 miles onto SR 42 S followed by SR 39 W. Turn left onto US 220 S and then right onto SR 39 W. In 11.2 miles, turn left onto SR 600 and continue to find pullout areas on either side.
Site Information
Managed By:
- VA Dept. of Wildlife Resources
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.