Bush Mill Stream State Natural Area Preserve

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Bush Mill Stream State Natural Area Preserve is a beautiful nature preserve located in the state of Virginia.


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Summary

Visitors can enjoy hiking, birdwatching, and exploring the diverse flora and fauna of the area. The preserve is named after the Bush Mill Stream, which is a clear, cold-water stream that flows through the property.

One of the main reasons to visit Bush Mill Stream State Natural Area Preserve is to see the diverse plant life. The preserve is home to over 300 species of plants, including several rare and endangered species. Visitors can also enjoy the many species of birds and other wildlife that call the preserve home.

Some specific points of interest in the preserve include the old-growth forest, which is home to 200-year-old trees, and the wetland habitats, which are home to rare plant species. The preserve also contains several miles of hiking trails, which offer a chance to explore the area's natural beauty up close.

Interesting facts about Bush Mill Stream State Natural Area Preserve include that it contains the largest population of the rare Virginia sneezeweed, and that it is home to several species of salamanders.

The best time of year to visit Bush Mill Stream State Natural Area Preserve is in the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most vibrant. However, the preserve is open year-round and offers unique experiences in every season.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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.
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