Ogdens Cave State Natural Area Preserve
Rate this placeNearby: Ed Stump Playground Happy Creek Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Ogdens Cave State Natural Area Preserve is a protected area located in the state of Virginia in the United States.
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Summary
The preserve is home to several unique geological features, including a network of caves, sinkholes, and underground streams.
Some good reasons to visit Ogdens Cave State Natural Area Preserve include its beautiful scenery, unique geological features, and opportunities for outdoor recreation such as hiking and nature photography. Visitors can explore the cave system on guided tours, or hike one of the preserve's many trails to see the surrounding natural beauty.
Specific points of interest to see at Ogdens Cave State Natural Area Preserve include the cave system itself, which is home to several species of rare bats, as well as a variety of other wildlife such as salamanders and cave crickets. Visitors can also explore the preserve's network of hiking trails, which offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
Interesting facts about the area include that the caves at Ogdens Cave State Natural Area Preserve are home to the largest known population of Virginia big-eared bats, a species which is listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The preserve also contains several rare plant species, including the Virginia sneezeweed and the Allegheny spurge.
The best time of year to visit Ogdens Cave State Natural Area Preserve is in the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most colorful. Visitors should be aware that the cave system is closed during the winter months to protect the hibernating bats.
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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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