Channels State Forest is a four thousand eight hundred thirty-six-acre protected forest in southwestern Virginia that extends across parts of Washington and Russell counties. It is most notable for the Channels Natural Area Preserve, which contains the Great Channels of Virginia, a maze of narrow slot canyons carved through sandstone outcrops about four hundred million years old. Owned and maintained by the Virginia Department of Forestry, the forest is managed for conservation and public recreation. Hiking, horseback riding, and hunting are permitted, while camping and motorized vehicles are banned. The forest preserves both an unusual geologic landmark and the surrounding mountain woodland for low-impact public use.