Red Cedar Natural Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Red Cedar Natural Area is a 140-acre park located in southwest Virginia.
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Summary
It is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and hikers due to its diverse ecosystem and scenic beauty. The park features several miles of trails that wind through forests, wetlands, and meadows, offering visitors the chance to observe a variety of wildlife and plant species.
Some of the park's most notable points of interest include the Cedar Creek Waterfall, which is a popular spot for swimming and picnicking, as well as the Red Cedar River, which is a popular spot for fishing and kayaking. The park is also home to a variety of unique plant species, including the red cedar tree, which is a rare and endangered species that grows only in certain parts of Virginia.
Interesting facts about the park include its designation as a Virginia natural area preserve, which means it is protected by state law and managed by the state department of conservation and recreation. The park is also home to several rare and endangered species, including the eastern woodrat, the Allegheny woodrat, and the Virginia big-eared bat.
The best time of year to visit Red Cedar Natural Area is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the park's foliage is at its most vibrant. Visitors are advised to bring appropriate clothing and footwear for hiking, as well as sunscreen and insect repellent, as the park is home to a variety of biting insects and ticks.
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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
Rock Quarry Natural Area
Bear Creek Lake State Park
Willis River Natural Area
Turkey Ridge Natural Area
Cumberland State Forest