Augusta Springs Wetlands Trail

Important Notices

COVID-19 & the VBWTBefore heading out to visit a site on the Virginia Bird & Wildlife Trail, be sure to check if that site has any COVID-19 policies or closures in place. This information is typically posted on a site's own website.

Description

Elevation: 2607 ft.

This handicap-accessible trail meanders through wetland habitats surrounded by hardwood forest interspersed with pines. Two large ponds are home to nesting wood duck and are patrolled by resident green and great blue herons. Nesting species include common yellowthroat, red-winged blackbird, blue-gray gnatcatcher, cedar waxwing, American goldfinch, and occasionally, blue-winged warbler. In migration, look for migrants such as wood thrush and scarlet tanager. Sparrow diversity can include resident song sparrow, and in the winter, swamp, white-throated, and American tree sparrows as well. Blooming ironweed, rudbeckia, cardinal flower, Robin’s plantain daisies, yarrow, milkweed, and jewelweed line the fields surrounding the ponds and attract ruby-throated hummingbirds. Look for eastern tiger, pipevine, and spicebush swallowtails, Zabulon skipper, Monarch, and many other colorful butterflies.

This is an excellent site for those seeking herpetofauna. Black rat snakes can be found slithering from the forest’s edge, sometimes basking in the sun along pond banks. Water snakes may be seen swimming in the ponds. Look for frog activity from pickerel and green frogs near the water’s edge. Salamanders, such as northern dusky and red-backed, are common as well.

Directions

Physical Address: 2735 Little Calf Pasture Hwy, Augusta Springs, VA 24411

From I-64 in Charlottesville, continue west. Take the I-81 S exit toward I-64 W/Lexington/Roanoke. Then, take exit 220 for SR 262 toward US 11 and continue onto SR 262 N. In 4.2 miles, take the SR 254/Parkersburg Pike exit and turn left onto SR 254 W. In 7.0 miles, continue onto SR 42 S for 7.6 miles. Then, turn right into the park’s small parking lot.

Location & Directions

View on Google Maps

Site Information

  • Site Contact: U.S. Forest Service, North River Ranger District: 540-432-0187, [email protected]
  • Website
  • Access: Free, Daily

Birds Recently Seen at Augusta Springs Wetlands Trail (as reported to eBird)

  • Mallard
  • Pied-billed Grebe
  • Black Vulture
  • Belted Kingfisher
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker
  • Downy Woodpecker
  • Pileated Woodpecker
  • Northern Flicker
  • Eastern Phoebe
  • Blue Jay

Seasonal Bird Observations

Facilities

  • Environmental Study Area
  • Accessible
  • Hiking Trails
  • Information
  • Interpretive Trail
  • Parking
  • Restrooms