The Ultimate Appalachians Road Trip

Alabama is known for its diverse natural landscapes, ranging from the lush forests of the Appalachian Mountains in the north to the serene beaches along the Gulf Coast. The state is home to numerous rivers, lakes and wetlands, providing habitats for a wide variety of wildlife.

Fenvkvcēkv Creek Preserve at Flagg Mountain

Located in Coosa County, Flagg Mountain marks the start of the Appalachian Mountain Range. The Nature Conservancy bought land near Flagg Mountain to create a 1,000-acre nature preserve. The Fenvkvcēkv (pronounced finuh-guh-jee-guh) Creek Preserve connects with existing protected lands, forming a migration corridor from the Gulf to the Appalachian Mountains. The name honors the Muscogee People and the nearby Finikochicka Creek.

While there, explore the scenic trails that connect to the Pinhoti Trail, offering breathtaking views.

Located in Coosa County, Alabama

The Walls of Jericho

Alabama’s Forever Wild Program purchased the 12,500-acre Alabama section of the property from The Nature Conservancy. Located in Scottsboro, it is now known as the Skyline Wildlife Management Area and is open for public access. The protected area encompasses the headwaters of the globally significant Paint Rock River.

There are both hiking and horse trails. Be sure to check out the Limestone Cathedral and Alabama’s Mystic Canyon.

Located in Scottsboro City, Alabama

Bonus Stop: Flagg Mountain

Be sure to check out Flagg Mountain, adjacent to Fenvkvcēkv Creek Preserve, which is the southernmost Appalachian peak over 1,000 feet. It features a CCC-built lookout tower and shelters. The 240-acre Weogufka State Forest on Flagg Mountain is owned by Alabama and managed by the Alabama Forestry Commission.

Greetings from Connecticut, a small state with a big love for the outdoors!

Sunny Valley Preserve

Sunny Valley Preserve covers 1,850 acres of farmland, forests, wetlands and meadows. Visitors can hike 15 miles of trails and learn about nature and farming. The preserve includes more than 500 acres of active agriculture and 1,200 acres of natural lands. The terrain features hemlock and hardwood forests along the Housatonic River Valley.

Keep an eye out for migratory species such as the worm-eating warbler, cerulean warbler, northern goshawk and scarlet tanager, who have found a secure nesting place in Sunny Valley’s forests.

Located in New Milford and Bridgewater, CT

Devil’s Den Preserve

The Lucius Pond Ordway-Devil’s Den Preserve, with 1,800+ acres and 20 miles of hiking, is Connecticut’s largest Nature Conservancy preserve. Its diverse terrain is ideal for hiking and birdwatching. Archaeological evidence shows human use 5,000 years ago, and historical sites include a sawmill and charcoal production areas. The preserve features more than 500 types of trees and wildflowers and is home to various wildlife, including red fox, bobcat, coyote and more than 140 bird species.

Located in Weston and Redding, CT

Bonus Stop:

Visit charming Ridgefield, Connecticut, for art exhibits, shows, an independent film festival, and a downtown full of restaurants, cafés, and shops. Don’t miss Weir Farm National Historic Park, featuring the home and studio of J. Alden Weir on over 60 acres. History buffs can explore a local museum and learn about the town’s Revolutionary War role.

Georgia’s diverse landscapes range from the lush forests of the Appalachian Mountains to the serene coastal marshes, offering a rich tapestry of natural beauty and wildlife.

Holly Creek Preserve

Holly Creek Preserve, with its steep slopes, ridges, valleys and rock outcrops, is a favorite for hikers and mountain bikers in the Cohutta Mountains. The preserve features beautiful views and frontage on Holly Creek and Dill Creeks, which are home to rare aquatic species. These streams flow through the Appalachian Mountains into the Conasauga River.

Chattahoochee National Forest

The Chattahoochee National Forest in north Georgia spans over 750,000 acres. It includes the headwaters of the Conasauga and Etowah rivers and their diverse tributaries, like Holly Creek Preserve. The Conasauga River hosts rare fish such as the amber darter and blue shiner, and the Conasauga logperch, found only in a 15-mile stretch. Holly Creek, the most biologically rich tributary, provides critical habitat for freshwater mussels. Visitors can explore sites like the Toccoa Swinging Bridge, Blood Mountain Overlook or Brasstown Bald.

Bonus Stop:

Chief Vann House State Historic Site | Department Of Natural Resources Division

Explore Georgia’s Indigenous history through Chief James Vann’s story at the Vann House, Georgia’s best-preserved historic Cherokee home with beautiful hand carvings. The site covers Cherokee cultural assimilation, the Trail of Tears and slavery. Other features include historic gardens, a farmstead, a spring house and a nature trail.

From popular national parks to hidden historic sites, the Bluegrass State offers opportunity to connect with the past and the present, with people and place.

Bad Branch State Natural Area

Bad Branch State Nature Preserve on Pine Mountain features diverse habitats like streams, rock faces and pine barrens. Visitors can explore Bad Branch Gorge or hike to the 60-foot Bad Branch Falls through hemlock stands and rhododendron thickets. The 2,639-acre preserve is managed by The Nature Conservancy and the Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission, including untouched hemlock-dominated forests.

Located in southeastern Letcher County

Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area spans 125,000 acres of the Cumberland Plateau, protecting the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River. It features scenic gorges, sandstone bluffs and offers various outdoor activities. In 2019, TNC acquired 466 acres in McCreary County, Kentucky, the last large inholding in the area. In 2021, TNC transferred it to the National Park Service.

Bonus Stop: Cumberland Gap National Historic Park

Cumberland Gap, formed by Yellow Creek, is a corridor in the Cumberland Mountains for migration between Appalachian peaks. Near the Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee borders, the historic park features 85 miles of trails and 14,000 acres of wilderness. Visit Hensley Settlement to explore early 20th-century Appalachian life. Many small settlements formed around the Gap as people sought new opportunities.

Welcome to the beautiful state of Maine, where the rugged coastline meets lush forests and serene lakes.

Saco Heath Preserve

Close to the bustling city of Portland and rocky coastline of greater Southern Maine, TNC’s Saco Heath Preserve offers a unique landscape with a boardwalk that allows visitors to explore the heath without disturbing the delicate ecosystem. The preserve is home to a variety of plant species, including the rare Atlantic white cedar. It provides a glimpse into the natural beauty of Maine’s wetlands and is a great spot for birdwatching and nature photography.

Located southwest of Portland, ME

Debsconeag Lakes Wilderness Area & Trout Mountain Preserve

Nestled near Mount Katahdin and Baxter State Park, this preserve is a nature lover’s paradise with remote ponds and mature forests, perfect for paddling, fishing and hiking. Explore ice caves that stay cool in summer or enjoy views from the 80-foot fire tower at Trout Mountain. Look out for Maine wildlife like moose, bobcats and pine martens!

Located northwest of Millinocket, ME

Bonus Stop: Portland, Maine—Art and Culture by the Sea

After exploring Maine’s natural beauty, visit Portland’s historic Old Port district for art galleries, craft breweries and waterfront views. Stroll the Eastern Promenade or ferry to a nearby island. Portland is also the top minor league sports market, perfect for enjoying a game with a lobster roll or “red snapper” hotdog!

Explore the Maryland and DC region’s lush landscapes and discover the incredible diversity of plants and animals that make this area unique.

Cranesville Swamp Preserve

At Cranesville Swamp, the elements of wind, water, mountains and temperature have created a landscape that is both beautiful and rare. In combination, these climactic elements have produced a natural occurrence known as a “frost pocket”—an area where the surrounding hills capture moisture and cold air that conspire to create a landscape more reminiscent of habitat found much further north in Canada. The preserve hosts diverse plant and animal species, including the endangered bog copper butterfly, northern saw-whet owl, southern water shrew and over 48 rare plants. A 1,500-foot boardwalk allows easy exploration of the wetlands, showcasing the area’s rich biodiversity and beauty.

Located in Garrett County, MD/Preston County, WV

Finzel Swamp Preserve

A window into ice ages past, Finzel Swamp is located in a frost pocket area much like Cranesville Swamp. The preserve features shrub swamps, peatlands, and diverse plant communities, providing critical wildlife habitat. Notable for its salamander population, it contributes to the Savage River’s headwaters and regional biodiversity. Open during daylight hours, it offers a peaceful retreat for nature enthusiasts.

Keep an eye out for the woodland jumping mouse, smoky shrew and bobcat.

Located in Garrett and Allegany Counties, MD

Bonus Stop: Frostburg, Maryland

Nestled in Maryland’s Allegheny Mountains, Frostburg is a charming city with a rich history and activities for nature enthusiasts and culture seekers. Founded in 1812 as a key stop along the National Road, it has grown from an Appalachian mining town into a vibrant community. Visitors can explore the region through rail bike tours, e-bike rentals and hiking trails. Local museums showcase Frostburg’s history and cultural heritage, offering an engaging experience for all.

In Western Massachusetts, you’ll find a variety of classic New England landscapes, from hemlock-northern hardwood forests to glacially formed wetlands and bogs.

Roger and Virginia Drury Preserve

Home to great blue herons, bobcats and a variety of plant and forest communities, Drury Preserve was TNC’s first in the southern Berkshires—established in 1984 with a 65-acre donation. It’s part of a 2,500-acre protected area around Schenob Brook. The three-mile trail, nestled in a northern hardwood forest, is ideal for viewing spring wildflowers and fall foliage. It ends at a pond with views of Mount Race and potential sightings of herons and kingfishers. When visiting, please stay on marked trails or boardwalks, as the terrain can be wet and has gentle slopes.

Located in Sheffield, Massachusetts, not far from the New York and Connecticut borders

Hawley Bog Preserve

Hawley Bog Preserve, co-owned by TNC and Five Colleges, Inc., is a rare intact New England peat bog. It features a 0.5-mile trail with a 700-foot boardwalk over a floating peat bog mat, home to unique plants like bladderwort, sundews and wild iris. It’s also great for bird watching. Please stay on the trail and boardwalk to protect this fragile ecosystem. The terrain is flat but often wet.

Located in Hawley, Massachusetts

Bonus Stop: The Berkshires
A Historic and Classic New England Vacation Destination

While in the Berkshires, visit historic towns like Stockbridge and Great Barrington for food, culture and history. Learn about the Mohican people who have stewarded these lands for thousands of years. Explore connecting trails or access points to the Appalachian Trail, which runs through the region. And don’t miss Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts.

With iconic mountain ranges, lakes, rivers and 13 miles of Atlantic coastline, New Hampshire has more outdoor recreation options than you might expect in a state of its size.

Surry Mountain Preserve

With its towering trees and free-flowing streams, this mountainous escape is a stone’s throw from Keene. Surry Mountain, a 1,324-acre preserve north of Keene, is part of a 50,000-acre conservation area in the Monadnock region. It offers high-quality forest habitat for wildlife like bobcats and black bears. The Abenaki people hunted and fished the nearby Ashuelot River over 3,000 years ago. The preserve features Lily Pond, nearly nine miles of headwater streams, old cellar holes and stone walls. Activities include hiking, hunting, fishing and snowshoeing.

Located in Surry, New Hampshire

Fourth Connecticut Lake Preserve

Nestled below the ridgeline separating New Hampshire from Quebec, Fourth Connecticut Lake marks the start of the 400-mile Connecticut River, the largest watershed in New England. The 78-acre preserve features a trail that crisscrosses the U.S.-Canada border. The forest, rich with balsam fir, red spruce and mountain ash, is home to boreal birds and wildflowers. The 2.5-acre pond, formed by glacial action, is the river’s source and supports fish, otters and beavers. Wear sturdy shoes and stay off the floating bog to protect the plants.

Located in Pittsburg, New Hampshire

Bonus Stop: Keene, New Hampshire—The Elm City

After visiting Surry Mountain Preserve, downtown Keene is just 15 minutes away. This vibrant college town offers restaurants, bars, shops, museums, and festivals, including the famous Keene Pumpkin Festival. Known as “The Elm City,” Keene boasts “The Widest Paved Main Street in the World” and was featured in the film Jumanji. For more nature exploration, visit the nearby Ruth C. Warwick Preserve, known for its diverse plant and flower habitats.

Explore pristine forests, go birding along freshwater marshes or conquer a mountain—The Nature Conservancy’s Appalachian preserves in New Jersey have something for everyone. 

Blair Creek Preserve

Blair Creek Preserve is the western anchor of the critical Bobcat Alley habitat corridor that connects the Kittatinny and Highland ridges of New Jersey’s section of the Appalachian mountains. Adjacent to the Delaware Water Gap’s nearly 70,000 protected acres, the preserve features trails through deciduous forests, beaver ponds, rocky streams and wetland meadows. Iconic wildlife like black bears, coyotes and great blue herons call the preserve home, and migrating songbirds spend their breeding season in its leafy canopy. The site protects the headwaters of Blair Creek, ensuring clean water for trout fishing and drinking downstream in the Paulins Kill and Delaware Rivers.

Located in Warren and Sussex Counties

Johnsonburg Swamp Preserve

Johnsonburg Swamp Preserve, the eastern anchor of Bobcat Alley, is a stand of true wilderness in New Jersey, spanning more than 700 acres of varied habitat for bobcats, black bears, red foxes, waterfowl and rare plants. At its heart is a rich limestone forest and the glacier-formed Mud Pond with surrounding wetlands, where river otters and beavers play. The preserve’s trails wind through field, forest and craggy outcrops, with the High Rocks overlook providing a sweeping view of the landscape that changes moods with the weather and the seasons.

Located in Sussex County

Bonus Stop: Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

The Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area offers a serene escape with trails branching along 40 miles of the longest free-flowing river east of the Mississippi. Enjoy scenic paths through lush forests, past waterfalls and along the storied riverbanks. Old Mine Road, a route used by the Lenape and colonists dating back to the 1600s is a must-see. There is much for nature lovers and history buffs to enjoy at “the Gap.”

Whether you’re looking for breathtaking waterfalls or exciting trails, New York has it all when it comes to nature must-sees.

Christman Sanctuary

Christman Sanctuary features the Bozen Kill River with a 30-foot waterfall and cascades. Towering hemlocks and hardwoods surround the river, creating a diverse landscape of forests and wetlands. Once a farmstead, it is now a haven for wildlife and visitors. Explore trails that blend remnants of its agricultural past with natural beauty. Whether seeking solitude or adventure, the sanctuary invites you to reconnect with nature and history.

Located in Duanesburg, NY

Pawling Nature Reserve

Pawling Nature Reserve in Dutchess County offers more than 12 miles of trails and five trailheads. Explore diverse habitats, including Duell Hollow Brook, the Appalachian Trail and various forests. The MetroNorth railroad’s “Appalachian Trail” stop is 0.9 miles from the preserve. Follow the AT northbound, crossing Route 22 and farm fields to enter the reserve. Check MTA schedules, as the train runs a few times a day on weekends.

Located in Pawling, NY

Bonus Stop: Catskills Visitors Center

The Maurice D. Hinchey Catskill Interpretive Center, a partnership between the Catskill Center and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, serves as a gateway to the Catskills’ natural, recreational, cultural, agricultural and historical resources. Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the center is located at 5096 Route 28 in Mt. Tremper, New York. Visitors can explore exhibits and information that highlight the region’s unique heritage.

Welcome to North Carolina, where you can enjoy epic mountain views and more than 300 miles of coastline.

Grandfather Mountain State Park

Grandfather Mountain, known for its rocky summits and views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, is one of North Carolina’s most biologically diverse areas. It hosts over 60 rare species, including the Carolina northern flying squirrel and Blue Ridge goldenrod. Since the 1950s, 600 acres have been a tourist attraction, featuring the mile-high swinging bridge.In 2008, the Morton family sold 2,601 acres to create a state park, and TNC has protected thousands of acres on the mountain through easements and purchases. The trails offer various hiking options, from easy walks to rugged hikes to Calloway Peak. Visit mid-April to mid-July for showy wildflowers.

Located near Linville, NC, in Avery, Caldwell, and Watauga Counties

Panthertown Valley

Panthertown Valley, a 6,000-acre backcountry area on the Continental Divide, features a unique mix of threatened and endangered species. Its broad valley floor is flanked by granite cliffs rising 200 to 300 feet, offering spectacular vistas. A network of trails leads to waterfalls and overlooks. Most trails are unmarked, so bring a trail map and compass. In 1989, TNC’s North Carolina chapter purchased this tract from Duke Power for Nantahala National Forest.

Located in Jackson County, NC

Bonus Stop: Brevard—North Carolina’s Land of Waterfalls

Between Grandfather Mountain and Panthertown Valley, you will pass through portions of portions of Henderson and Transylvania counties, which are renowned for their spectacular waterfalls. Two of the most popular are Looking Glass Falls, accessible from a short staircase off the side of the road, and Triple Falls, a trio of waterfalls that were featured in the movie The Last of the Mohicans.

Ohio’s landscapes are a treasure trove of diversity and beauty, from the rolling hills in the south to the serene wetlands in the north. Come and experience the magic of Ohio’s natural wonders, where every turn reveals a new and awe-inspiring view.

Edge of Appalachia Preserve System

The Richard and Lucile Durrell Edge of Appalachia Preserve System in southern Ohio features 27 miles of scenic hiking on five trails through woodlands, prairies, and streams. Home to over 100 rare species, it’s a haven for flora and fauna. Look for Cerulean warblers and endangered species like the Indiana bat. The preserve offers hiking, birdwatching and paddling. The Buzzardroost Rock Trail provides spectacular views after a moderate hike, while the Lynx Prairie offers easier, interconnected loop trails.

Located near West Union, OH

Morgan Swamp Preserve

Morgan Swamp Preserve, spanning over 2,000 acres, is one of Ohio’s largest privately protected forested wetlands. It features diverse wetlands like bogs, beaver ponds and vernal pools, hosting a rich variety of plants and animals, including white calla lilies and four-toed salamanders. The preserve offers three trails through wetlands, forests, and prairies, where visitors might spot beavers or otters. Activities include hiking, birding, kayaking/canoeing, fishing and observing native plants. It also houses the Grand River Conservation Campus and The Dr. James K. Bissell Nature Center.

Located near Rock Creek, OH

Bonus Stop: Peebles, Ohio

After exploring the Edge of Appalachia Preserve System’s diverse natural beauty, head north to Peebles, to visit the Serpent Mound State Historical Site. An internationally renowned National Historic Landmark, Serpent Mound stands as a testament to the ancient Indigenous cultures of Ohio. At this site, you’ll find the namesake of the historical site, an awe-inspiring effigy mound, shaped like a serpent with a coiled tail. At the site, you’ll also find three additional burial mounds—two crafted by the Adena culture (800 B.C.–A.D. 100) and one by the Fort Ancient culture (A.D. 1000–1650)—each adding to the rich tapestry of history that surrounds this remarkable site.

Home to breathtaking forests, pristine headwater streams and a rich variety of plant and animal species, Pennsylvania is one of the most resilient and diverse landscapes in the Northeast.

Hamer Woodlands at Cove Mountain Preserve

Cove Mountain, located along the Kittatinny Ridge and 20 minutes from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, intersects the Appalachians and Chesapeake Bay watershed. In 2021, TNC added 1,200 acres, creating a 14-mile stretch of protected land to ensure forest connectivity and climate resilience. Visitors can enjoy year-round hiking trails and fall birdwatching with migrations of hawks, eagles, falcons and ruby-throated hummingbirds using the ridge as a stopover.

Located in Marysville, PA

Dick & Nancy Eales Preserve at Moosic Mountain

The Dick & Nancy Eales Preserve at Moosic Mountain offers sweeping views and is a prime location for ridge-top heath barrens. The preserve features a mosaic of pine and oak forest with huckleberry, blueberry and other shrubs, attracting birds, butterflies and rare moths. Spanning about 2,250 acres, it offers various recreational options. Hikers can enjoy sunset views on the Blueberry Trail, while mountain bikers can tackle the challenging 12-mile Moosic Mountain Big Tour. Birdwatchers can spot warblers, thrushes, hawks and Pennsylvania’s state bird, the ruffed grouse.

Located in Jessup, PA

Bonus Stop: Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

Stop by the historic and picturesque town of Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania—known as the “Little Switzerland of America”—for lunch, shopping and adventure along the Lehigh Gorge. Less than one hour south of the Eales Preserve, the village is known for its stunning fall foliage, scenic railway tours and recreational options including biking trails and whitewater rafting trips.

In South Carolina, you’ll be hard pressed to find a nature spot that’s not teeming with beautiful wildflowers and unique species to enjoy.

Nine Times Preserve

The preserve’s Trillium trail is a wildflower hotspot with stunning spring blooms. Two moderate-to-difficult trails lead up Cedar Rock and Rocky Bald Mountains. Look for peregrine falcons migrating over the Southern Blue Ridge mountains in late summer. As the Cherokee traveled along the Big Eastatoee River, they had to cross a tributary of the Little Eastatoee River nine times. This tributary, now called Nine Times Creek, gives the preserve its name.

Located near Sunset, South Carolina, minutes from Table Rock State Park. 

Stumphouse Mountain Heritage Preserve

Stumphouse Mountain Heritage Preserve-Wildlife Management Area is an ecological and cultural treasure. Its trails, forests and streams welcome many bird species, from warblers and vireos to neotropical birds who use the forest for migration and nesting. Stumphouse Mountain also includes the breathtaking Issaqueena Falls, an important Cherokee cultural site. Other natural features found on this preserve include an array of plants like Catesby’s trillium and showy orchids.

Located in Walhalla, South Carolina

Bonus Stop: Stumphouse Tunnels, Walhalla, South Carolina

The Stumphouse Mountain Heritage Preserve includes an abandoned railroad tunnel, taking travelers on a journey through the area past and present. Today, the tunnels are home to six species of bats, including the rare rafinesque big-eared bat. Explore along the Blue Ridge Railroad Historical Trail starting at the Blue Ridge Railroad Trailhead. Travel tip: Bring a flashlight!

Tennessee, with the Great Smoky Mountains in the east and the Mississippi River in the west, offers diverse terrain perfect for nature lovers. As the most ecologically diverse inland state in the U.S., its forests, mountains and rivers provide endless opportunities for nature enthusiasts and adventurers.

Orchard Bog and Quarry Bog

Orchard Bog and Quarry Bog are rare remnants of peat wetlands in Tennessee’s Shady Valley. Most wetlands were drained for farming in the mid-20th century, altering natural water flows. TNC works to restore habitats and promote conservation-friendly agriculture. TNC assembled the 150-acre Orchard Bog Preserve from 1994 to 2017 and acquired the 68-acre Quarry Bog Preserve in 1998. Both sites focus on stream and wetland restoration, reducing soil erosion and expanding habitats. The preserve is open year-round from sunrise to sunset.

Located in Johnson County, TN

Schoolyard Springs

Thousands of years ago, the ice sheet that covered North America receded, shaping Shady Valley, which retains plants and animals typical of northern climates. Schoolyard Springs is a rare wetland in Shady Valley, with sandy springs supporting rare plants. TNC selected this site for its Beaverdam Creek frontage and streamside area, crucial for restoration. The springs are a remnant of an earlier creek meander. TNC acquired the 9-acre site in 1998, added a boardwalk in 2002, and expanded to 29 acres by 2018. The boardwalk is open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Located in  Shady Valley, Tennessee

Bonus Stop: Cranberry Festival

The area is known for cranberry bogs, which were once a major part of the valley. The Cranberry Festival is held annually in Shady Valley, featuring a parade, auctions and food.

Welcome to Vermont, where maple-filled springs, lush green summers, vibrant autumns and snowy winters create year-round beauty and adventure.

Black Mountain Preserve

Black Mountain rises from the West River in Dummerston to a 1,280-foot summit. Formed 345-395 million years ago, it features a three-mile loop trail ascending the western ridge. The trail climbs over ancient floodplain terraces, some from Lake Hitchcock. From the summit, views extend to New Hampshire’s Mount Monadnock. The mountain hosts scrub oak, pitch pine and spring mountain laurel blossoms. Its south-facing bowl acts as a natural solar collector, creating warmer conditions. A notable feature is an abandoned granite quarry off the summit trail, one of several that provided granite for buildings and monuments.

Located in Dummerston, VT

Raven Ridge Preserve

Raven Ridge, a diverse oasis in the Champlain Valley, features cliffs, caves, vernal pools, swamps, marshes, seeps, and streams like Lewis Creek. It supports wildlife including bobcats, ravens, beavers and endangered Indiana bats. Birders flock to observe 142 bird species at the lookout platform over a beaver-wetland complex. Visitors can walk a two-mile trail, which can be steep and icy in winter. A 935-foot boardwalk and 748-foot accessible trail provide 0.3 miles of access for all abilities. “The Oven” is a notable geological formation. The Loop Trail along the ridge is closed from March 15 to June 15 to protect nesting ravens and bobcats.

Located in Monkton, VT

Bonus Stop: Downtown Burlington Waterfront

While in Vermont, visit Burlington’s waterfront for local art, music, craft breweries, restaurants and outdoor activities. After exploring downtown, take the Burlington Bike Path to the Island Line Trail, a 13.4-mile rail trail on Lake Champlain. A summer ferry helps trail users cross a 200-foot gap for boat traffic.

Virginia's diverse landscape, from the Atlantic to the Appalachians, offers stunning vistas, wildflowers, birds and wildlife at Warm Springs Mountain Preserve, plus a cascading mountain stream at Bottom Creek Gorge Preserve.

Warm Springs Mountain Preserve

Warm Springs Mountain Preserve connects thousands of acres of forest in Virginia’s Allegheny Highlands, supporting songbirds, black bears and headwater streams. Spring is ideal for wildflowers and bird watching, summer for wildlife sightings and autumn for foliage. The Ingalls Overlook, Sandy Gap and Bear Loop trails offer mountain views, rare pine barrens, and access to public lands. Enjoy views of the ridgeline from Warm Springs Valley, which offers lodging and dining options.

Located in Bath County, Virginia, adjoining the George Washington National Forest.

Bottom Creek Gorge Preserve

Bottom Creek, a headwater stream of the South Fork of the Roanoke River, features scenic waterfalls known as The Kettles. It hosts about 10% of Virginia’s fish species, including rare ones like the orangefin madtom and Roanoke darter. On land, over five miles of trails traverse historic fields and diverse forests with tulip poplar, maple, oak, and hickory. From the parking area, an old road leads hikers up a hill, where trails branch off in three directions.

Located in Bent Mountain, Virginia, southwest of Roanoke.

Bonus Stop: Floyd, Virginia

A half-hour drive south will take you to Floyd, one of the most iconic stops along The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail. Floyd offers performances of traditional Appalachian music every weekend of the year. Craving more Appalachian culture? Travel south another 11 miles to Mabry Mill, an historic gristmill that is the Blue Ridge Parkway’s single most photographed site. A Musical Must-See Along the Crooked Road!

Welcome to Wild & Wonderful West Virginia, where the only thing nicer than the people are the breathtaking views.

Bear Rocks Preserve

High above Canaan Valley in Dolly Sods, a flat, windswept expanse of subalpine heath barrens opens to the sky. This haunting landscape features stunted red spruce, ancient bogs, and forlorn boulders, with creatures typically found in northern regions. Bear Rocks and the surrounding area, once deforested and grazed, are now recovering and feature a new loop trail installed in 2024.

If visiting Bear Rocks, please note that weekday visits are encouraged due to high levels of traffic on the weekend. Also note that the road closes between December and April due to weather. Dolly Sods was a WWII artillery training area, so stay on trails and avoid picking up shells or fragments, as unexploded ordnances may remain.

Located in Davis, West Virginia, in the Monongahela National Forest.

Ice Mountain Preserve

For generations, North River Mills residents visited Ice Mountain in summer to chip off ice for homemade treats. Ice Mountain’s talus creates a refrigeration effect, forming ice masses. In warmer months, cool air flows out, making it a habitat for species like twinflower and Canada mayflower. Ravens can also be spotted at Ravens Rock.

Visits require a docent-led hike, available on Saturdays most of the year. Reservations must be made three weeks in advance, with groups limited to 15 participants.

Located in North River Mills in Hampshire County, West Virginia.

Bonus Stop: Davis and Thomas, West Virginia

After descending from Bear Rocks Preserve, visit the vibrant towns of Davis and Thomas, just two miles apart. Enjoy craft beer, homemade ice cream, or a traveling bluegrass band. If you have extra time, head to Blackwater Falls State Park in Davis to see the beautiful amber Blackwater River.