Summary
The preserve is located in Floyd County and offers visitors scenic views, diverse plant and animal life, and unique geological features.
One of the main reasons to visit Buffalo Mountain State Natural Area Preserve is for hiking and exploring the outdoors. The park has several trails that wind through the forest and up the mountain, including the Buffalo Mountain Trail, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can also enjoy birdwatching, wildlife viewing, and photography opportunities throughout the park.
Specific points of interest to see at Buffalo Mountain State Natural Area Preserve include the rock formations and cliffs that are scattered throughout the park. These geological features are the result of millions of years of erosion and offer visitors a glimpse into the area's natural history.
Interesting facts about the area include that the park is home to several rare species of plants and animals, including the Virginia big-eared bat and the federally endangered Tennessee yellow-eyed grass. Additionally, the preserve was designated as a state natural area in 2001 to protect the unique ecosystem found in the area.
The best time of year to visit Buffalo Mountain State Natural Area Preserve is during the spring and fall, when the weather is cool and mild, and the foliage is at its peak. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy winter sports, such as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, during the colder months.
Overall, Buffalo Mountain State Natural Area Preserve is a beautiful and unique destination in Virginia that offers visitors a chance to experience the state's natural beauty up close.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
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Willville Motorcycle Campground
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Rocky Knob
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Rocky Knob Campground
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Rocky Knob - Blue Ridge Parkway
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