Nestled against the western side of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Mount Joy Pond Natural Area Preserve supports one of the world’s largest populations of the globally rare Virginia sneezeweed (Helenium virginicum). This and several other rare plants are associated with the large, globally rare sinkhole pond, which is the centerpiece of the preserve. Most of the surrounding rolling landscape is a maturing forest of hardwoods and pines.
Natural sinkhole ponds in the Shenandoah Valley are quite rare. The ponds are easily degraded through filling or draining. Less than two dozen of these ponds, all in Augusta or Rockingham County, support the Virginia sneezeweed and other rare species.
VISITATION:
This recently acquired preserve has no public access facilities.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
