Description
Elevation: 1460 ft.
Grassy Hill Natural Area Preserve is conveniently located just northwest of the Town of Rocky Mount. A 6.6–mile hiking trail system provides access to 1,488 acres of hardwood forest and scattered Virginia pines. Birds to search for in this habitat include Red-bellied and Downy woodpeckers, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Wren, Northern Cardinal, and Blue Jay. In winter, the snowy slopes of Grassy Hill support White-throated Sparrow and Dark-eyed Junco while raptors such as Red-tailed and Red-shouldered hawks could turn up at any time of year. The unusual soil and rock substrates found at Grassy Hill provide habitat for rare woodland communities. Several rare plants grow in small grassy openings near the hill’s summit. It’s also worth checking along the edge of the woods for a variety of butterflies or the occasional dragonfly.
Notes:
- Trail users may park at the Franklin County Family YMCA parking lot or The Gereau Center for Applied Technology and Career Exploration (150 Technology Dr.) parking lot after school hours.
- The trailhead is located at the tree line adjacent to the Gereau Center parking lot.
Wildlife Sightings
71 species have been reported at this site to date.
Birds Recently Seen at Grassy Hill Natural Area Preserve:
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 5 May 2025 | 11 | stephen johnson 🦜 |
| 5 Dec 2024 | 3 | Ellison Orcutt |
| 5 Dec 2024 | 15 | Andrew Rapp |
| 17 Aug 2024 | 6 | Lisa Mease |
| 17 Aug 2024 | 6 | DWR Virginia Bird & Wildlife Trail Team |
Amenities & Accessibility
Amenities
- On-site Parking
Other Amenities: Hiking Trails
Accessibility Considerations
This location does not have a Birdability Site Review available at this time
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Maps & Directions
Physical Address: 235 Technology Dr., Rocky Mount, VA 24151
From Roanoke, head south on US-220/Franklin Rd/Virgil H Goode Hwy, take the exit for US-220 BUS S/N Main St toward Rocky Mount, merge onto US-220 BUS S/N Main St, and turn right onto Technology Dr to park either in the YMCA lot on the left or The Gereau Center for Applied Technology and Career Exploration lot on the right.
Site Information
Access Requirements:
- Free, Daily
Contact Information:
- Phone: 540-580-6341
- Email: Ryan.Klopf@dcr.virginia.gov
- 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.