Spruce Creek Park (Rockfish Valley Trail System)

Elevation: 734 ft.

The Rockfish Valley Foundation Natural History Center in Spruce Creek Park is the first stop along the Rockfish Valley Trail system. It was historically the site of a general store and community center for Wintergreen. Around the park is a recognized butterfly trail and birding trails. Trails connect from there to Spruce Creek Park via Glenthorne Loop, but also run up and downstream along the South Fork of the Rockfish River.

Pick up a copy of the Rockfish Valley trail system brochure with its map, or check out the website for a printable map. Begin your trip behind the center by crossing the small wooden bridge and follow the trail out past the picnic tables to several trails. Here you may see a multitude of swallowtail butterflies and monarchs continuing their ageless migration north and south. Along the creek, watch and listen for Acadian flycatchers singing their “Piz–ZA” call along with indigo buntings, and at certain times of the year, white-eyed vireo. As you move out along the trail to the woods, listen for eastern wood-peewee, red and white-breasted nuthatches, and a host of woodpeckers. During winter months, yellow-bellied sapsuckers may be numerous here. Wander along historic Glenthorne Loop to the bridge over the South Fork of the Rockfish River. Cross into the extensive birding trails and watch for herons fishing the cool mountain waters. Don’t be surprised if you see an eagle or osprey also flying overhead during the late summer and early fall. If you are here in the early morning or around dusk keep your eyes open for deer, black bear or an elusive bobcat passing through. All three have been seen on a regular basis in the area. During the spring months, listen in the wetter areas of the forest for the sounds of gray tree frogs, American toads, spring peepers and a host of other resident amphibians. In the open grassy areas, watch for northern harrier and loggerhead shrike hunting the fields. Eastern bluebird, eastern meadowlark and a variety of other grassland birds also occur here.