Buffalo Mountain Preserve expands by 975 acres
Through a partnership with The Conservation Fund, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has acquired land surrounding the three sides of the existing preserve, nearly doubling its size to 2,121 acres.
The Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve, which includes the highest point of Floyd County, has recently expanded by 975 acres. About half of the expansion (480.7 acres) occurred in the Burks Fork District of Floyd County for $3.7 million.
Through a partnership with The Conservation Fund, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has acquired land surrounding the three sides of the existing preserve, nearly doubling its size to 2,121 acres.
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Announced Dec. 23, the expansion further protects rare grasslands found nowhere else on Earth and forested streams and wetlands at the headwaters of Buffalo Branch and Burks Fork.
The DCR said, “at least 18 rare species make their home in the preserve’s forests, wetlands and grasslands. Two of these plants found on the cooler treeless summit are more common further north: three-toothed cinquefoil (Sibbaldia tridentata), and Mountain sandwort (Minuartia groenlandica), which are both low-growing perennials with white flowers.”
In November 2023, the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation awarded a $3.6 million grant to DCR for the project, and the Virginia General Assembly approved spending $750,000 to protect and expand the preserve in 2024.
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“With gratitude, we celebrate this huge step with the partners who helped make it possible and look forward to expanding future public lands in the New River region,” DCR said in its announcement.
Buffalo Mountain is one of 21 natural area preserves that currently provides public access for low-impact recreation activities. The elevation at its rounded summit is 3,971 feet.
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DCR notes that the limited parking spots – available on a first-come, first-served basis – are intended to prevent overcrowding that would harm the sensitive natural resources the preserve must protect. When the parking lot is full, the preserve is full, and visitors will need to wait for a spot to open or come back another time, DCR states, noting “the most crowded times tend to be midday on weekends.”
To learn more about Buffalo Mountain, go to www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-area-preserves/buffalo.
Important notice for Buffalo Mountain visitors:
Deer hunting to support forest health and biodiversity will occur on Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve until Feb. 15, 2026. All hiking trails will remain open during this time, and visitors should wear a solid blaze orange or pink colored hat or upper body clothing when visiting the preserve.