Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve is an 891-acre Natural Area Preserve in Russell County, Virginia. Located at the confluence of the Clinch River and Big Cedar Creek, the preserve's namesake and centerpiece is the Pinnacle, a dolomite formation rising 400 feet above the creek.
At least nine rare species and two rare natural communities make their home within the boundaries of the preserve. It is home to the globally rare Big Cedar Creek millipede (Brachoria falcifera), known only from the preserve and several nearby locations. Two globally rare plants, Canby's mountain-lover (Paxistima canbyi) and Carolina saxifrage(Saxifraga caroliniana), grow upon the preserve's limestone cliffs, where they are joined by American harebell (Campanula rotundifolia), which is rare in Virginia. The preserve's creek banks host the rare glade spurge (Euphorbia purpurea).
Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve is owned and maintained by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. The preserve includes improvements such as a parking area, four miles of hiking trails, and a suspension foot bridge.
Conversations/Things we learned:
This is a nice park for fishing, hiking, and/or simply to have a picnic with family and friends. The entire park is well shaded with trees and I found it to be clean and nicely maintained. There is an in-and-out 3.7 mile hiking trail which is moderately difficult and very scenic.
This may not be a park you want to go out of your way to visit but if you are in the Southwest Virginia region, it’s a good place to visit and hike.
Contact Information: Route 721 Lebanon, Virginia 24266
Phone: (276) 676-5673
Website:
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