Grayson Glades Natural Area Preserve

Grayson Glades Natural Area Preserve is a protected area in Grayson County, Virginia, containing a mafic fen wetland system with mineral-rich soils fed by natural springs. The 53-acre preserve features a wetland landscape shaped by these mineral sources and spring-fed water systems that support its specialized ecology.

Virginia's Department of Conservation and Recreation established this preserve to protect rare wetland ecosystems and plant species found nowhere else in the region. This initiative recognized early on the need to safeguard these fragile habitats from development and disturbance.

The preserve serves as a working study site where researchers and naturalists observe rare plants like tuberous grass-pink and queen-of-the-prairie in their natural setting. You can see how scientists work to understand and document these sensitive habitats.

Access requires advance coordination with a state-employed land steward, as there are no developed trails or visitor facilities on the grounds. Plan ahead to arrange your visit and be prepared for natural terrain conditions when you arrive.

The preserve contains one of Virginia's few mafic fen wetlands and supports six documented rare plant species that thrive in these mineral-rich conditions. This combination of geological and botanical features makes it a botanical rarity at the state level.