Due to the expected impact of the winter storm, all Virginia State Park overnight facilities will be closed from Friday, Jan. 23 through Sunday, Jan. 25. This decision is based on the forecast for unsafe conditions and potential power outages. For updates click here.

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Virginia Natural Area Preserves - The List!

By Shellie AnnePosted August 11, 2011

Virginia’s Natural Area Preserve System includes some of the most interesting, unusual and beautiful natural features in the state. Natural area preserves harbor many of Virginia’s exemplary natural communities and rare species, providing visitors with a unique outdoor experience. We invite you to discover the preserves — some of Virginia’s last great places.

natural heritage map

PUBLIC ACCESS

Public access opportunities are available at many preserves, and visitors can experience such activities as hiking, canoeing, photography and wildlifewatching.

Preserves not included in this guide have limited access, but visits may be arranged by contacting the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Natural Heritage Program. Preserves may also be closed at times to allow for management activities, such as controlled burning, or to protect

sensitive species, such as nesting colonial shore birds.

NOTE: VISITOR HOURS ARE YEAR-ROUND, FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

Personal Mobility on Trails

The Commonwealth of Virginia’s natural area preserves, state forests, state parks and wildlife management areas offer hundreds of miles of trails designed for people to enjoy (or access) the outdoors. These trails offer the public opportunities to experience and enjoy the state’s flora, fauna, cultural resources and scenic beauty. Hiking, angling, boating, hunting, wildlife watching, bicycling and horseback riding are proven contributors to good physical health and mental well-being – part of a healthy lifestyle that reduces illness, obesity and anxiety for all.

Effective March 15, 2011, these trails will be open to wheelchairs, including manual and power wheelchairs, personal mobility assistive scooters and certain other similar devices designed primarily to assist people with disabilities. Users are encouraged to use caution when selecting trails, as many were designed for foot traffic only. Terrain might make them unsuitable for personal mobility devices.

As part of their commitment to making Virginia’s public lands places for all to enjoy, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Virginia Department of Forestry, and Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries are also in the process of evaluating safety concerns and the environmental impacts of opening these trails to the use of other power-driven mobility devices by individuals with mobility disabilities. Please check this webpage periodically for updates.

Click here to view a map of Virginia State Parks.

Click here for a PDF to download a booklet describing Virginia natural area preserves with public access.