Grassy Hill Natural Area Preserve

Grassy Hill Natural Area Preserve spans 1,440 acres of rocky slopes covered with hardwood forests and Virginia pine patches near Franklin County.

Evidence from fire scars on trees indicates that natural fires maintained open grassy woodlands before the implementation of suppression methods in the 1900s.

Multiple species of birds, including red-bellied woodpeckers, Carolina chickadees, and tufted titmice, make their home throughout the preserve's diverse habitats.

The preserve offers 6.6 miles of hiking trails with educational signs, while parking facilities are available at the nearby Rocky Mount YMCA.

The preserve's magnesium-rich bedrock and heavy clay soils create conditions for rare woodland communities and plant species near the summit.

Location: Virginia

GPS coordinates: 37.00600,-79.91990

Latest update: April 2, 2025 09:59