NOTICE: Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve is closed until March 1, 2025 while the parking lot is under construction. Thank you for your cooperation.
SITE DESCRIPTION:
Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve protects the world's largest population of piratebush,
a globally rare shrub, which is restricted to only a handful of sites in the mountains of Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. In autumn,
piratebush foliage turns a brilliant yellow, brightening the preserves forest understory. Poor Mountain lies at the southernmost extent of
Virginia's Northern Blue Ridge. South from here, lie the mountains of the Southern Blue Ridge. Chestnut oak, Table Mountain pine, and pitch pine
are common overstory trees throughout the preserve's higher elevations. Along with piratebush, common understory shrubs include Mountain laurel,
black huckleberry, lowbush blueberry, and deerberry. Poor Mountain's soils are steep, fragile, and infertile. The forests these soils support form
the headwaters of four watersheds, all of which drain into the Roanoke River. To minimize soil erosion of these fragile soils and help protect
stream water quality, please stay on marked trails and enjoy the forest and streams of the preserve from these trails and overlooks.
VISITATION:
Public access facilities include a small 10 car parking area. Longer vehicles may not be suitable. When the parking lot is full, the natural area preserve is full, and you will need to wait for a spot to open, or come back another time. Poor Mountain has over 4 miles of hiking trails. Trails include a relatively easy 1.0 mile loop through the piratebush population, and a steep and strenuous 4 mile loop that takes several hours to complete.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
