Thompson Wildlife Management Area: hunting, parking and access
Thompson Wildlife Management Area is 3,972 acres of Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources land in Fauquier County and Warren County. DWR's maps show 12 parking areas and 8 gates. The 2026-27 firearms deer season on the WMA runs November 14 to January 2.
Data updated October 2026. Boundary, parking, gates and roads: DWR's WMA maps. Seasons: DWR Deer Hunting Regulations and Seasons.
DWR land (WMAs)State parks and natural areas (DCR)National Park ServiceOther state landThompson WMADWR parkingCounty lineHighway
| Size | 3,972 acres (DWR) |
|---|---|
| County | Fauquier County, Warren County |
| DWR region | Region 4 |
| Parking areas | 12 |
| Gates | 8 |
| Trails | 8 miles |
| Other facilities DWR maps | 10 kiosks and 1 boat ramp |
| Firearms deer season, 2026-27 | November 14 to January 2 |
| Nearest towns | Shenandoah Farms (2 mi), Skyland Estates (2 mi) and Paris (2 mi) |
Where do you park on Thompson WMA?
DWR maps 12 parking areas on Thompson WMA, listed north to south.
| Lot | Latitude, longitude | Kind (DWR) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 38.99184, -77.99502 | Parking |
| 2 | 38.98631, -77.99914 | Parking |
| 3 | 38.98114, -78.00327 | Parking |
| 4 | 38.97081, -78.01584 | Parking |
| 5 | 38.96823, -78.01852 | Parking |
| 6 | 38.96277, -78.01951 | Parking |
| 7 | 38.95765, -77.98995 | Parking |
| 8 | 38.95642, -77.99101 | Reserved Parking (handicapped) |
| 9 | 38.95305, -78.02737 | Parking |
| 10 | 38.94860, -78.03677 | Parking |
| 11 | 38.93824, -78.04138 | Parking |
| 12 | 38.92241, -78.00293 | Parking |
Source: DWR WMA facilities (parking, gates, boat ramps, ranges).
What roads and trails does Thompson WMA have?
DWR's road layer counts 3.1 miles of open road through or along it. Its trails add up to 8 miles. DWR records 8 gates.
Other facilities on DWR's map: 10 kiosks and 1 boat ramp.
Sources: DWR WMA roads and trails; DWR WMA facilities (parking, gates, boat ramps, ranges). Miles measured by FilledTag from DWR's lines.
When can you hunt deer on Thompson WMA in 2026-27?
DWR's public lands table gives Thompson WMA its own firearms deer season: November 14 to January 2, with either-sex days November 21, November 28, and December 21-January 2. Early archery runs October 3 to November 13 statewide.
| County | WMA acres in it | Private land firearms season | Deer killed (whole county) | Bears (whole county) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fauquier County | 3,842 | November 14 to January 2 | 4,464 (2025) | 4 (2025) |
| Warren County | 91 | November 14 to January 2 | 1,375 (2025) | 4 (2025) |
Seasons: DWR Deer Hunting Regulations and Seasons. Harvest: DWR Deer Kill Data; DWR Black Bear Harvest by County.
How do you get to Thompson WMA?
Highways within five miles: I-66, US 17, US 50 and VA 55. Nearest towns: Shenandoah Farms (2 miles), Skyland Estates (2 miles), Paris (2 miles) and Apple Mountain Lake (3 miles).
DWR's page for the area: DWR, Thompson WMA.
Questions hunters ask
When is deer season on Thompson WMA?
DWR sets the 2026-27 firearms deer season on Thompson WMA at November 14 to January 2, with either-sex days November 21, November 28, and December 21-January 2. Early archery runs October 3 to November 13 statewide.
Where do you park on Thompson WMA?
DWR maps 12 parking areas on Thompson WMA. The coordinates of each are in the table on this page; the first is at 38.9811, -78.0033.
How big is Thompson WMA?
3,972 acres by DWR's records, in Fauquier County (3,842 acres) and Warren County (91 acres).
How many deer are killed in Fauquier County, where Thompson WMA is?
DWR counted 4,464 deer in Fauquier County in 2025-26: 1,963 antlered bucks and 2,247 does. DWR does not publish a separate count for the WMA.
Get a Virginia hunt plan when they open
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Until then, the free FilledTag app for iPhone has a map that works in every state, Virginia included.
Where these facts come from
- Boundary and acres: DWR Wildlife Management Areas. Parking, gates and facilities: DWR WMA facilities (parking, gates, boat ramps, ranges). Roads: DWR WMA roads and trails.
- Seasons: DWR Deer Hunting Regulations and Seasons. County harvest: DWR Deer Kill Data; DWR Black Bear Harvest by County.
- Public land around it: USGS Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US 4.1). Highways and towns: U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line 2024 primary and secondary roads; U.S. Census Bureau 2024 Gazetteer, places.
FilledTag is not part of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources.