Please see information about new parking rules below.
LOCALITY |
OWNER |
ACRES |
ACCESS |
NEWS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Floyd | DCR | 1146 | Yes |
SITE DESCRIPTION:
Buffalo Mountain is one of the most significant natural areas in Virginia, supporting an amazing 15 rare plant occurrences, three rare animals and nine significant natural communities. The combination of high-elevation (3,971 feet), wind-exposed rocky openings at the summit, and magnesium rich soils make it unlike any place else in the Commonwealth.
On the treeless summit, strong winds and boreal climate support subalpine vegetation including three-toothed cinquefoil (Sibbaldia tridentata) and Mountain sandwort (Minuartia groenlandica). The upper south slopes support grassy, prairie-like openings composed of wildflowers and native grasses. Wet, magnesium-rich seeps at the base of the mountain support globally rare grasses and wildflowers such as bog bluegrass (Poa paludigena) and large-leaved grass-of-parnassus (Parnassia grandifolia).
Buffalo Mountain is also the only known location in the world for a mealybug called Puto kosztarabi.
VISITATION:
Public access facilities consist of a 10-car gravel parking area, portable toilet, information kiosk, interpretive signs and three hiking trails. When the parking lot is full, the natural area preserve is full, and visitors will need to wait for a spot to open, or come back another time. The parking lot is most likely to be full midday on weekends. The narrow 0.9-mile gravel road to the parking area has multiple pull-offs to facilitate passing cars. Please help protect the biodiversity of Buffalo Mountain by staying on marked trails. To protect the particularly fragile rare plants on the summit, the Barrens Loop Trail was developed to ensure public use of the summit is sustainable. By sticking to the marked hiking trails, visitors will ensure the unique biodiversity of Buffalo Mountain is protected for future generations to enjoy.
Part or all of the preserve may be periodically closed for resource protection or management activities. See the NEWS link above for information on closures or other activities.
A preserve guide factsheet and map are available to assist in planning your visit.
The Buffalo Mountain Volunteer Stewardship Committee (BMVSC) is a group of local citizens that assists DCR with stewardship activities at Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve.
From Roanoke, follow I-81 south towards Christiansburg. Exit onto VA 8 and head south towards Floyd. At Floyd, turn right onto US 221, and follow it about 6 miles. Turn left (south) on 727 (Union School Road) and go about 4.5 miles to Conner Grove Road (VA 799). Turn right onto 799, go about 100 feet and turn left onto Moles Road (VA 727). Go about 1 mile, and turn right to stay on VA 727. Go 1 mile to a 3-way fork. Bear to the right and follow the gravel access road to the preserve parking area. From the "End of State Maintenance" sign, it is approximately 1.1 miles to the parking area and trail head.
From Wytheville, follow I-77 south towards Galax. Merge onto US 221 north towards Hillsville/ Floyd. Follow US 221 about 15 miles to the town of Willis. Turn right onto VA 799 (Conner Grove Road). Follow VA 799 about 5 miles to VA 727. Turn right onto Moles Road (VA 727). Go about 1 mile, and turn right to stay on VA 727. Go 1 mile to a 3-way fork. Bear to the right and follow the gravel access road to the parking area / trail head.
CONTACT: