Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve
1,000 acres in Floyd County, Virginia
Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve
Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve
Halls Store Rd
Willis, VA 24380
Widely recognized as one of Virginia's greatest natural heritage treasures, Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve is a place like no other. Enjoy a half-mile hike up the scenic monadnock. Enjoy panoramic views of 50 miles on a clear day. Buffalo Mountain, named for its shape, boasts many rare plant and animal occurrences. The combination of high-elevation (3,971 feet), wind-exposed openings at the summit and magnesium rich soils create the uniqueness. On the treeless summit lives sub alpine vegetation reminiscent of the Rocky Mountain. The south face of the mountain contains grassy, prairie-like openings composed of wildflowers and native warm-season grasses more typical to the Midwest. The base of the mountain supports globally rare grasses and wildflowers such as bog bluegrass and large-leaved grass-of-parnassus.
Turn right on to Farmer’s Market Rd, then right at stoplight to Rt. 58 East
On Rt.58 East through Hillsville, pass through the first stoplight where Main Street (Rt. 52) intersects.
Drive to the second stoplight at the intersection of Rt. 58 and Rt.221.
At this intersection take a left turn on Rt. 221 and drive approximately 17 miles to Willis, Virginia.
Turn right onto Rt. 799 (Conner Grove Rd.) and drive approximately 5 miles to Rt. 727 (Moles Rd.).
Turn Right onto Rt. 727 and drive approximately 1 mile to the second road on the right, Halls Store Rd.
Turn Right onto Halls Store Rd. and drive approximately 1 mile to the end of state maintenance sign (you will pass by Wild Mountain Rd on the right as you drive).
At the end of state maintenance turn right onto the gravel access road to Buffalo Mountain, drive approximately 1 mile to the small parking area (a four wheel drive is recommended for this last section).
From the parking area it is about a ¾ mile hike to the summit of the mountain.