As of June 10, 2020, the parking area is limited to 10 vehicles. If the parking area is full when you arrive, please come back another time. Parking along Highway 80 is not permitted, and violators will be ticketed.
The Department of Conservation and Recreation and Department of Forestry dedicated this state natural area preserve in April of 2008. The Channels, the 53rd state natural area preserve, is an area of significant high elevation forest, rock outcrop and cliff communities. The preserve name is derived from the maze-like system of sandstone crevices and boulders that occur near the 4208ft. summit of Middle Knob on Clinch mountain. The 721-acre Channels Natural Area Preserve is part of a 4,836 acre State Forest that was purchased by the Department of Forestry from The Nature Conservancy in March 2008.
CONTACT:
Zach Olinger
Virginia Department of Forestry
Matthews State Forest
106 Forestry Lane
Galax, Virginia 24333
Phone: (276) 236-2322
or
Claiborne Woodall, Southwest Regional Supervisor and Natural Areas Steward
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Division of Natural Heritage
Abingdon, VA
(276) 676-5673.