Deep Run Ponds Natural Area Preserve
Rate this placeNearby: Wilderness Shenandoah Purcell Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Deep Run Ponds Natural Area Preserve is a 1,200 acre protected area located in western Henrico County, Virginia.
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Summary
The preserve was established in 2003 and serves as a habitat for a diverse array of plant and animal species. The preserve is known for its two large ponds, which were formed by damming Deep Run Creek.
Visitors to Deep Run Ponds Natural Area Preserve can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, birdwatching, and fishing. The preserve is home to a number of rare and endangered species, including the eastern box turtle, the yellow-bellied slider, and the dusky salamander.
One of the primary points of interest at Deep Run Ponds Natural Area Preserve is the diverse array of plant species that can be found there. The preserve is home to a number of rare and threatened plant species, including the smooth coneflower, the swamp pink, and the wood lily.
Visitors to the preserve should be aware that there are no facilities or amenities on site, so they should come prepared with appropriate gear and supplies. The best time to visit Deep Run Ponds Natural Area Preserve is in the spring and fall, when temperatures are mild and the foliage is at its most colorful.
Overall, Deep Run Ponds Natural Area Preserve is a unique and beautiful destination for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts in Virginia.
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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.
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