The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Situated in Coffee County, near Broxton in southeast Georgia, Broxton Rocks Preserve protects a rugged sandstone outcrop that extends for about 4 miles. Sculpted by Rocky Creek over centuries into a network of fissures and shallow ravines, the rock system is the single largest extrusion of the Altamaha Grit, a band of sandstone that lies under 15,000 square miles of Georgia’s Coastal Plain. The preserve’s 1,650 acres is part of the larger 13,466-acre Broxton Rocks Conservation Area, which is protected and managed by the collective efforts of  local landowners, Coffee County, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and other partners. 

The preserve is home to the largest and only protected population of grit portulaca, a Cuban species new to North America, and more than 500 species of plants, including species rarely found so far south.  State-threatened Georgia plumes also grow at the site, as do state-endangered silky creeping morning glories, which only occur at 4 sites in 3 Georgia counties. Green-fly orchids, which usually grow on trees, adorn the rock walls, and the area’s deep shaded crevices are home to several rare ferns like the delicate filmy fern and the shoestring fern. Local fauna includes Bachman’s sparrows, turkey vultures, great horned owls, screech owls, flying squirrels, eastern woodrats, indigo snakes, and gopher tortoises. 

Originally a longleaf pine-wiregrass community, the area was logged several times by previous owners, who established loblolly pine and slash pine plantations. The Nature Conservancy is working to restore the original ecosystem with prescribed burns and plantings. In 2002, the Conservancy purchased an additional 756 acres, almost doubling the preserve’s size and providing more protected habitat for a variety of rare and imperiled plants and animals.

Animals at Risk

• Bachman's sparrows
• Great horned owls
• Screech owls
• Flying squirrels
• Eastern woodrats
• Indigo snakes
• Gopher tortoise

Plants at Risk

• More than 520 species of native plants 
• Rare ferns
• Green fly orchards
• Silky creeping morning glories

Ecosystems at Risk

• Longleaf pine-wiregrass communities
• Sandstone outcrops

Contact Information

This preserve is open by appointment only. Regular guided group tours are available through the City of Douglas. Contact Dorie Bacon at (912) 384-4555 or email tourism@cityofdouglas.com

For additional information about visits to Broxton Rocks, please contact Elise Cormier at (404) 253-7210 or email ecormier@tnc.org

Things To Do

Plan Your Visit

Directions

Discussion

Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.

Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

* Required Fields

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Sign up for our free monthly e-newsletter, Great Places

Message Title *

Your Comment *

Submit

Read our guidelines on posting comments