North Landing River Natural Area Preserve

Alphabetical Listing of Virginia State Natural Area Preserves: Antioch Pines Bethel Beach Natural Big Spring Bog Blackwater Ecological Preserve Blackwater Sandhills Buffalo Mountain Bull Run Mountains Bush Mill Stream Camp Branch Wetlands Cape Charles Cherry Orchard Bog Chestnut Creek Wetlands Chestnut Ridge Chotank Creek Chub Sandhill Cleveland Barrens Clover Hollow Cowbane Prairie Crow's Nest Cumberland Marsh Cypress Bridge Dameron Marsh Deep Run Ponds Dendron Swamp Difficult Creek Elklick Woodlands False Cape Fletcher Ford Folly Mills Creek Fen Goshen Pass Grafton Ponds Grassy Hill Grayson Glades Hickory Hollow Hughlett Point Johnsons Creek Magothy Bay Marks and Jacks Island Mill Creek Springs Mount Joy Pond Mutton Hunk Fen Naked Mountain New Point Comfort North Landing River Northwest River Ogdens Cave Parkers Marsh Parramore Island Pedlar Hills Glades Pickett's Harbor Pinnacle Poor Mountain Red Rock Mountain Savage Neck Dunes Sweet Spring South Quay Sandhills The Cedars The Channels Unthanks Cave Wreck Island

SITE DESCRIPTION:

This is Virginia's largest natural area preserve. It is almost entirely comprised of wetland communities, five of which are rare in Virginia. Especially notable is the pocosin community, a habitat type that is fast disappearing from the southeastern United States. Pocosins are characterized by tangled masses of dense shrubs and vines with a scattered pond pine overstory. This unique wetland community and the forested swamps and freshwater tidal marshes of the lower North Landing River support at least 11 rare species of plants and animals. The area also provides important habitat for breeding and wintering waterfowl.

VISITATION:
Notice: The Preserve is now closed due to increased illegal activity and DCR's lack of funding to support an Operations Steward to oversee this area.

[The preserve is open year-round;] facilities include parking, a boardwalk trail to the Alton's Creek canoe launch, a canoe trail with interpretive guide and map, wildlife viewing platform, and interpretive signs. The North Landing River, a designated state scenic river, provides excellent canoeing opportunities and breath-taking scenery.

[A preserve guide factsheet and map are available to assist in planning your visit.]

Part or all of the preserve may be periodically closed for resource protection or prescribed burning activities. [Please call before visiting.]