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Voorhees Nature Preserve

Description

The Nature Conservancy’s Voorhees Nature Preserve has four miles of trails through mature deciduous forest, boardwalks that cross open wetlands and beaver ponds, and spectacular vistas from bluffs overlooking the Rappahannock River. Bald eagles, ospreys and migratory songbirds are abundant and in mid to late summer, beautiful blooming wildflowers including eastern Joe-Pye weed and orchids can be observed. Well-maintained trails lead from the parking area to a viewing area overlooking a beaver pond complex (0.8 miles, one-way) and a spectacular bluff overlooking the Rappahannock River (1.1 miles, one-way). Longer hikes are also available to a 300’ long boardwalk over a tidal freshwater marsh (2 miles, one-way) and the famed “Hollow Tree” a hollow tulip tree large enough for several adults to stand inside.

Wildlife Sightings

Birds Recently Seen at Voorhees Nature Preserve:

  • Horned Grebe
  • Turkey Vulture
  • Bald Eagle
  • Blue Jay
  • American Crow
  • Tree Swallow
  • Winter Wren
  • Carolina Wren
  • Northern Mockingbird
  • American Goldfinch

140 species have been reported at this site to date.

Recent Checklists:

Date# of SpeciesSubmitted By
31 Oct 202613Bryan Knedler
25 Oct 20268Debbie Beer
25 Oct 20268Becky Laboy
24 Oct 202622Shelly Arthur
17 Jul 202616Daniel Lebbin

See more recent checklists…

Amenities & Accessibility Considerations

Site Amenities

  • On-site Parking
  • No Fee or Permit/Pass Requirement

Other Site Amenities: Hiking Trails

Maps & Directions

View on Google Maps

Physical Address: 322 Bristol Mine Road, Colonial Beach, Virginia 22443

From VA-3 W at Claymont Rd near Oak Grove, VA, turn on rte 634/ Claymont Rd. Follow Claymont Road for 0.4 miles. Turn right onto Bristol Mine Road (Route 674). Continue on Bristol Mine Road for 0.8 miles, turning left at the sign for Voorhees Nature Preserve. Follow the gravel road to the parking area.

Site Information

Managed By:

  • The Nature Conservancy

Access Requirements:

Contact Information:

  • Visit Website
  • Sites, or portions of sites, can be closed periodically for management activities. Please always check the site’s website for additional information prior to visiting.

About the VBWT

The Virginia Bird and Wildlife Trail is a network of over 600 greenspaces and blueways throughout the Commonwealth selected for their wildlife viewing potential. Walk a nature trail, paddle a river, or enjoy a scenic overlook and you’ll soon see why Virginia is a premier destination for birding and wildlife viewing.

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