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Forest Virginia Map

Explore Forest, Virginia, with this interactive street and satellite map.

This page also offers TOPO MAPS — the official USGS topographic sheets — plus USGS aerial imagery, a labelled USNG grid overlay, a distance and bearing tool, and a GPS grid-reference readout. See How to Use This Map below.

Interactive Map of Forest, Virginia

How to Use This Forest, Virginia Map

This interactive map shows the street layout and satellite imagery for Forest, Virginia. Use the Map and Satellite buttons above to switch between street map and aerial imagery views. Use the + and − buttons to zoom in or out, or scroll your mouse wheel while holding the Control key to zoom. On a touchscreen, use a two-finger pinch gesture. Drag the map to pan to any area of Virginia or beyond.

Click ⛶ Fullscreen to expand the map to fill your screen. To return to the normal page view, press the Escape key, click the ✕ Exit Fullscreen button that appears above the map, or on a mobile device tap the back button (Android) or the close icon (iOS).

TOPO MAPS — NEW. Click the green 🔍 Search Maps button below the map to open a second map with a Base map row offering three choices. OSM is the standard OpenStreetMap street map. Topo shows the official USGS topographic maps from The National Map — contours, hydrography, land cover and shaded relief, the same mapping used for hiking, hunting and back-country navigation in the Adirondacks, the Catskills and the Finger Lakes. Imagery shows USGS aerial photography, mostly 1-metre NAIP. The search box finds any US town, county or landmark by name, so you are not limited to Forest.

Reading the map like a paper quad. Click Grid to overlay the U.S. National Grid (USNG), labelled along the edges exactly as a printed topographic sheet is — at normal zoom the squares are one kilometre across, so you can read a six-figure grid reference by eye and judge distance directly off the map. Click Measure, then tap two points, to get the distance between them together with the grid bearing in degrees and mils, the true bearing, and the magnetic bearing to set on a compass.

Click 📍 My position to take a single GPS reading from your device. It marks where you are and reports your position as a USNG grid reference as well as plain latitude and longitude — USNG being the format FEMA and US search and rescue teams work from — with a Copy position button so you can paste it straight into a text message. It takes one reading and stops, rather than tracking continuously, to conserve your battery. Note that map tiles need cell coverage, but a GPS reading does not — your coordinates stay correct even where the map itself cannot load.

City	Forest
State	Virginia (VA)
County	Bedford County
Country	United States of America
Timezone	Eastern Time (America/New_York)

Latitude	37.374934
Longitude	-79.277149
Population	11,709
Density	332.4 /km²
Incorporated	N/A
ZIP Code	24551
Area Code	276
County Seat	Bedford
School District	Bedford County Public Schools

🌦 Goto Forest Weather Page: Forest, Virginia — Weather Warnings, Forecast, Radar, Satellite & Current Conditions

About Forest, Virginia

Forest is a locality in Bedford County, Virginia, United States. It has a population of 11,709. The population density is 332.4 people per km². Forest is located at 37.3749°N, 79.2771°W. It observes the Eastern Time (America/New_York) timezone. ZIP code: 24551.

Forest emerges from the quiet intersection of rolling Piedmont terrain and the expansive, verdant sprawl of the Virginia landscape. It lies 3.5 miles north-northwest of Timberlake, VA (from Timberlake, VA: bearing 329°T), and is situated 8.8 miles west-southwest of Lynchburg. The horizon offers a soft, muted silhouette of the Appalachian Mountains, which stand sixty-seven miles away as silent sentinels over the daily cycle of light and shadow. Nearby, the stillness of Old Elkton Lake holds the reflection of the sky, while the waters of Ivy Creek trace a path through the earth just two miles from the center. The light at dusk here possesses a particular amber quality, turning the dense stands of timber and open fields into a study of deep, grounding color. Residents often gather at the Forest Youth Athletic Association, where the air remains crisp and the pace of life maintains a deliberate, steady cadence.

History in Forest remains anchored to the agrarian legacy of the region, where the soil once supported a life defined by the rhythm of seasonal cultivation. Over time, the local economy shifted from these traditional roots toward a modern mix of residential development and commercial enterprise, mirroring the broader transitions of the surrounding corridor. The industrious spirit of the area relies on a blend of small business vitality and a connection to the professional opportunities found in the nearby regional hubs. This evolution has preserved a sense of continuity, where the memory of older, agrarian ways informs the current, more structured commerce of the neighborhood. The land itself, characterized by its fertile, temperate quality, continues to support a lifestyle that balances modern ambition with the quiet persistence of the past.

Cultural character in Forest is defined by a deep, understated neighborliness that favors collective effort over the noise of rapid urbanization. The area serves as a home for those who value the quietude of the land, while the nearby Harris Hollow provides a topographical reminder of the complex, ancient nature of the local geography. While the area is largely defined by its private, residential focus, it maintains a strong connection to the broader cultural heritage of the Old Dominion through its preservation of local landmarks and traditions. Notable individuals such as the legendary athlete Jerry Falwell Jr. have shaped the public recognition of the area, drawing attention to its institutions and community reach. Life moves forward with a steady, unpretentious grace, where the texture of the days is formed by the simple, enduring connections between neighbors and the land they inhabit.

Nearby Outdoor Places

Slave Quarters (Historic Ruins) — 2.0 mi, 156° SE
Forest Youth Athletic Association (Local Recreation) — 2.7 mi, 191° S
Bedford County (Monument) — 2.8 mi, 061° NE
Ivy Creek Park (Local Park) — 3.0 mi, 049° NE
Peaks View Park (Local Park) — 3.9 mi, 042° NE
Heritage Park (Local Recreation) — 4.0 mi, 108° E
Hill City AquaZoo (Aquarium) — 5.5 mi, 097° E
The Chaplains Museum (Museum) — 5.5 mi, 108° E
Jerry Falwell Memorial (Monument) — 5.6 mi, 106° E
Steam Powered Machinery (Historic Ruins) — 5.6 mi, 078° E
Helen Pesci Wood Historical Marker (Monument) — 5.8 mi, 080° E
Liberty University Cinematic Arts Theater (Cinema) — 6.1 mi, 100° E
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Human Rights (Museum) — 6.3 mi, 072° E
E. C. Glass Civic Auditorium (Theatre) — 6.5 mi, 069° E
The Midtown Outdoor Art Gallery (Gallery) — 6.6 mi, 075° E
Olympic Runner (Public Artwork) — 6.6 mi, 069° E
Horse Drawn Road Grader (Attraction) — 6.9 mi, 069° E
Model 1474 Gallion Roller (Attraction) — 6.9 mi, 069° E
Station House Museum (Museum) — 7.1 mi, 067° NE
Thoresen Theatre (Theatre) — 7.3 mi, 053° NE
Riverside Park Historic Train Exhibit (Attraction) — 7.6 mi, 054° NE
Packet Boat Marshall (Attraction) — 7.7 mi, 055° NE
George Washington National Forest (National Forest) — 11.6 mi, 347° N · 1.1M acres
Jefferson National Forest (National Forest) — 13.4 mi, 319° NW · 733k acres
James River Face Wilderness (Wilderness Area) — 15.0 mi, 330° NW · 8,849 acres
Thunder Ridge Wilderness (Wilderness Area) — 15.6 mi, 322° NW · 2,427 acres
Natural Bridge State Park (State Park) — 22.2 mi, 323° NW
Mount Pleasant National Scenic Area (National Scenic Byway) — 22.9 mi, 008° N
Appalachian National Scenic Trail (National Trail) — 38.5 mi, 024° NE · 110k acres
Shenandoah National Park (National Park) — 50.9 mi, 027° NE · 197k acres

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