Headwaters Natural Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Headwaters Natural Area is a beautiful 5,000-acre park located in Highland County, Virginia.
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Summary
The area is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species, including rare and endangered species such as the Virginia big-eared bat and the Cow Knob salamander. Visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, birdwatching, and camping in the park.
One of the main attractions of Headwaters Natural Area is its pristine streams and waterfalls, which offer stunning views and opportunities for swimming and fishing. The area is also rich in cultural history, with several historic sites and buildings, including the Meadow Lane log cabin and the Laurel Fork Schoolhouse.
In addition to its natural and cultural attractions, Headwaters Natural Area is also known for its unique geological features, including karst formations, sinkholes, and caves. The park is home to several underground caverns, including the popular Grand Caverns, which are believed to be over a million years old.
The best time to visit Headwaters Natural Area is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most vibrant. However, the park is open year-round and each season offers its own unique beauty and activities.
Overall, Headwaters Natural Area is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves nature, history, and outdoor recreation. With its stunning landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and diverse array of activities, it is truly a gem of the Virginia countryside.
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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.
Related References
Chestnut Ridge Natural Area
Holiday Creek Natural Area
Upland Hardwood Natural Area
Holliday Lake State Park