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Places We Protect

The Allegheny Front Preserve Complex

A view of the Allegheny Front features mountain tops in the distance and fall colored trees in the foreground.
The Allegheny Front Serving as a habitat bridge between vast conservation lands in the southern and northern Appalachians, the Allegheny Front plays a critical role in the health of the Apps. © Kent Mason

Where Ancient Forests, Iconic Views and Rare Wetlands Meet

The Allegheny Front Preserve Complex protects one of the most ecologically exceptional landscapes in the Central Appalachians—a high‑elevation world of wind‑carved ridges, ancient bogs, sweeping sandstone outcrops and rare spruce‑hardwood forests. Together, Bear Rocks Preserve, Allegheny Front Preserve and Red Creek Headwaters Preserve create a connected landscape that protects rare wildlife, cold-water headwaters and some of West Virginia’s most iconic scenery.

This is a place shaped by altitude, weather and time. Here, stunted red spruce cling to exposed ridgelines, heath barrens bloom in summer winds and peat‑rich wetlands shelter species found nowhere else in the state. Whether you come for the vistas, the botany, the birding or the sense of wildness, the Allegheny Front delivers an experience that feels both ancient and alive.

Explore the Preserves of the Allegheny Front Preserve Complex

A view onto a flat windswept heath barrens at Bear Rocks Preserve.
Bear Rocks Preserve Springtime scene at The Nature Conservancy’s Bear Rocks Preserve in West Virginia. A flat, windswept expanse of subalpine heath barrens opens up to the sky. © Kent Mason

Bear Rocks Preserve

A windswept plateau of sandstone outcrops, heath barrens and stunted red spruce, Bear Rocks Preserve offers panoramic views stretching more than 30 miles across the Appalachian Mountains. One of West Virginia’s most iconic vistas, this remarkable landscape showcases the rugged beauty and unique biodiversity of the Allegheny Front, making this preserve a beloved destination for hikers, photographers and nature enthusiasts alike.

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The sun sets over blue mountains in the distance. The foreground is covered in green shrubs.
A haven for wildlife. The tract provides additional habitat to more than 26 rare and protected species. © Kent Mason

Allegheny Front Preserve

Stretching along the Allegheny Front in the heart of the Canaan Valley and Dolly Sods landscape, this preserve protects a remarkable mosaic of forests, high-elevation habitats and headwater streams. Home to rare species and critical wildlife corridors, the preserve plays an important role in conserving biodiversity, supporting climate resilience and safeguarding clean water for communities downstream.

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A view of a small pool of water in a grassy meadow on the outskirts of a dense forest.
Red Creek Headwaters A wetland and the beginning of Red Creek in Red Creek Headwaters Preserve. © Matt Kane/TNC

Red Creek Headwaters Preserve

Home to one of the largest acidic bog systems in the Central Appalachians, Red Creek Headwaters Preserve is a restoration centerpiece where red spruce forests, wetlands and headwater streams are being reconnected and renewed. This extraordinary landscape protects the headwaters of Red Creek, supports remarkable biodiversity and serves as a vital link between Canaan Valley and Dolly Sods.

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A Landscape Like No Other

Explore the features that make the Allegheny Front Preserve Complex one of the most remarkable landscapes in the Central Appalachians.

Views from The Allegheny Front Preserve Complex

Whether you're hiking to panoramic overlooks, photographing rare habitats, searching for migrating birds or exploring unique plant communities, the Allegheny Front Preserve Complex offers unforgettable experiences in every season.

A sunset casts a pink sky over an overlook onto mountain tops.
An eastern newt sits on a rocky surface.
A red-breasted nuthatch sits on a tree branch.
Two people holding tree planting equipment walk along a thin, clear trail.
Mountain laurel grows in a green valley under a bright blue sky with puffy white clouds.
A view of Red Creek winding through a dense forest.
A sign showing directions to different trails stands in a forest.
A person picks up a baby tree out of a pile in preparation to plant it.
An orange sun rises over a stack of boulders.
A rocky overlook onto a fall colored valley.
A sunset casts a pink sky over an overlook onto mountain tops.

Expanding the Allegheny Front: This landscape plays an outsized role in the recreation industry in West Virginia. © Kent Mason

An eastern newt sits on a rocky surface.

Eastern Newt: An Eastern newt at Bear Rocks Preserve, West Virginia. The diverse topography of the region creates various microclimates that can help species adapt to changing conditions. © Kent Mason

A red-breasted nuthatch sits on a tree branch.

Red-breasted Nuthatch : These native breeders can be found in high-elevation coniferous areas, such as spruce-fir and northern hardwood forests along the Allegheny Front. © Hannah Snyder/TNC

Two people holding tree planting equipment walk along a thin, clear trail.

Bear Rocks Preserve: TNC staff engaged in planting trees hike along a trail high above Canaan Valley in Dolly Sods. © Kent Mason

Mountain laurel grows in a green valley under a bright blue sky with puffy white clouds.

Native Species : The Allegany Front is home to a wide variety of native birds, mammals, shrubs and flowers, such as the vibrant pink mountain laurel. © Hannah Snyder/TNC

A view of Red Creek winding through a dense forest.

Red Creek: Red Creek: The Red Creek Headwaters Preserve boasts the largest intact peatland in Dolly Sods. © The Nature Conservancy

A sign showing directions to different trails stands in a forest.

Bear Rocks Preserve: common cottongrass © Kent Mason

A person picks up a baby tree out of a pile in preparation to plant it.

Restoration Work: The Nature Conservancy is working at these preserves to ensure native species thrive through restoration projects, including tree plantings. © Mark Moody

An orange sun rises over a stack of boulders.

Serenity : Sunrise at The Nature Conservancy's Bear Rocks Preserve in West Virginia. © Kent Mason

A rocky overlook onto a fall colored valley.

Bear Rocks: Fall color at The Nature Conservancy's Bear Rocks Preserve in West Virginia. © Kent Mason

With miles of trails, sweeping vistas and diverse habitats to explore, visitors can experience the Allegheny Front in many different ways.

Things to Do:

  • Explore loop trails, open meadows and ridge walks with long‑distance views.

  • Bear Rocks is one of the most photographed places in West Virginia, especially at sunrise.

  • Spot high‑elevation specialists, fall raptor migrations and rare breeding songbirds.

  • Discover heath barrens, wildflowers, sphagnum bogs and spruce‑hardwood forest communities.

  • Learn how climate, geology and elevation shape one of the most unique ecosystems in the state.

More from The Allegheny Front

Explore more of The Nature Conservancy's work across this critical landscape.

Places We Protect

With your help, The Nature Conservancy has protected more than 120,000 acres of critical natural lands in West Virginia.

Species of the Allegheny Front

Learn more about this astonishing landscape, the species that call it home and the work that TNC is doing to conserve this special place.

By Severn Smith

Migration Marvels of the Appalachians

Each autumn and spring, the skies above the Appalachian Mountains come alive with movement. Explore some of the species you may encounter along this bustling wildlife corridor.

Restoring Red Spruce Forests

New science is boosting TNC's 20-year effort to restore iconic red spruce forests in the Central Appalachians.

By Daniel White

The Ultimate Appalachians Road Trip

Join us on an unforgettable road trip through the breathtaking Appalachians and experience nature at its finest.