Devil’s Den Nature Preserve

Description

Elevation: 2906 ft.

The name “Devil’s Den” refers to a 600-million-year-old cave formation comprised of several layers of rock, which contain many large rooms. Formed by the collision of the Appalachian and Piedmont rock encrustations, this cave is primarily metamorphic schist, granite stone with depositions of mica and pyrites, and even 45 inlays of solid quartz bands. The nature preserve surrounding the cave offers 280 acres of land, which includes mature hardwood forests, cleared plateaus, and shrubby brush. A system of strenuous trails passes through most of these habitats and leads towards the spectacular cave. Because it is unstable, public access is no longer allowed. Red-eyed vireo, black-throated green and hooded warblers, wood thrush, scarlet tanager, and indigo bunting are common throughout the summer.

Located just south of the Blue Ridge Parkway, this site is probably well traveled by migrating neotropical songbirds in the spring and fall. Other wildlife viewing possibilities include white-tailed deer, eastern box turtle, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, and red fox. The cave has yet to be used as a maternity home for bat species, but big brown bat and other species of bats have been seen flying around this area. Look for butterflies such as great-spangled fritillary, eastern tiger swallowtail, and spicebush swallowtail, in the meadows.

Directions

Physical Address: 80 Cemetary Rd, Fancy Gap, VA

From Galax, head east on VA-97/Pipers Gap Rd, turn right onto SR-620/VA-97/Lambsburg Rd, turn right onto SR-608/Mt. Carroll Rd/Elmwood Rd, sharp left onto the Blue Ridge Pkwy, turn right onto Frosty Ln, turn left onto SR-608/Old Appalachian Trail, turn right onto Cemetery Rd and follow it to the parking area.