Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve

Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve is a protected area in Roanoke County covering roughly 1,400 acres of mountain terrain dominated by pine-oak forests and eastern hemlock groves. The vegetation shifts with elevation across the different slopes of the mountain.

The mountain takes its name from the infertile soil created by metamorphosed sandstone bedrock that shapes the landscape. These geological conditions have influenced what can grow and thrive on the slopes throughout time.

The preserve is managed as part of Virginia's network for protecting natural spaces and the species that depend on them. Walking through here, you can see how the land is kept in its natural state for plants and animals to thrive.

Four miles of marked trails wind through the preserve at different elevations, making it easy to explore on foot. A small parking area near the entrance accommodates about ten vehicles and is open during daylight hours year-round.

The preserve harbors the largest known population of piratebush, a parasitic shrub found in only a few locations across the southeastern region. This rare plant makes the location noteworthy for researchers and nature enthusiasts who study plant ecology.