Bluff Mountain Nature Preserve

One of the most beautiful and ecologically significant natural heritage sites in the southeast, Bluff Mountain Nature Preserve, near Warrensville, North Carolina, offers visitors scenic beauty, unusual landforms, and an amazing botanical variety. Within mere steps in the preserve lie a Carolina hemlock forest, a dwarf red oak/white oak forest, and a rare flat rock plant community. A southern Appalachian fen-a broad, high plateau containing an unusual wetland-adds to the intrigue.

Wildflowers Galore

Wildflower lovers will appreciate the changing floral show on Bluff Mountain between April and October that includes many rare plant species. Among the 400+ species of plants on the mountain are Indian paintbrush, Gray's lily, fringed gentian, spreading avens, and sundew.

A Birder's Paradise

Bluff Mountain Nature Preserve is a birder's paradise as well. The high-elevation hardwood forests of Bluff Mountain provide ideal nesting habitat for many neo-tropical migratory bird species such as black-throated green warbler, veery, rose-breasted grosbeak, scarlet tanager, and blue-headed vireo. During field trips to Bluff Mountain in the spring, visitors may hear the distinctive drumming of ruffed grouse. Elusive bobcats den in the shelter of rocky outcrops, while ravens are often seen soaring over the cliffs.

The Bluff Mountain Nature Preserve is owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy.

Hours of Operation

The preserve is accessible through a locally-based eco-tourist guide, Kim Hadley, who is the preserve’s volunteer steward and has an intimate knowledge of the mountain. The cost is $10 per person. To make reservations, or if you have questions, please contact Hadley at bluffmountainpreserve@gmail.com or (336) 497-1972. The hike is approximately two miles over rocky terrain of medium difficulty and takes about four hours.

Admission Fees

Cost is $10/person to reserve a spot on one of the hikes advertised on the Bluff Mountain Preserve website. Special group tours can be arranged by calling Kim Hadley, (see contact information above.)