Description
Raven Cliff Furnace Trail (Forest Service Trail #4616) is closed indefinitely due to a washed-out bridge.
Elevation: 2142 ft.
Raven Cliff Karst Area is a campground and park facility nestled along Cripple Creek. This site offers campsites, picnic shelters, and fishing access for those interested in trout and smallmouth bass. The geology of this area is unique in that it contains a significant amount of karst topography. In addition, this area was once a furnace site for iron ore. The red-stained, iron-limestone Raven Cliff towers 200 feet above the creek. As the name implies, common raven nest along these cliffs. In addition, the surrounding woodlands support a variety of nesting songbirds. Yellow-throated, hooded, and black-and-white warblers are common even in picnic areas. Open areas along the creek allow for good views of hunting green heron. During migration, songbird diversity increases within the hardwood forests. Migrating waterfowl and shorebirds should also be found, especially in the fall, along the creek.
Wildlife Sightings
70 species have been reported at this site to date.
Birds Recently Seen at Raven Cliff Karst Area:
Recent Checklists:
| Date | # of Species | Submitted By |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Jul 2025 | 23 | Laura Aron |
| 28 Jul 2025 | 23 | Mike Evans |
| 13 Apr 2025 | 2 | debbie testerman |
| 13 Apr 2025 | 1 | debbie testerman |
| 29 Mar 2024 | 2 | DWR Virginia Bird & Wildlife Trail Team |
Amenities & Accessibility
Amenities
- On-site Parking
- Restrooms
Other Amenities: Bike Trails, Camping/Lodging, Hiking Trails
Accessibility Considerations
This location does not have a Birdability Site Review available at this time
Learn more about Birdability’s efforts to map accessible outdoor spaces
Maps & Directions
Physical Address: 547 Ravens Cliff Ln, Ivanhoe, VA 24350
GPS Coordinates: 36.835970, -81.063692
From Wytheville, head south on US-21/Grayson Rd, turn left onto SR-690/Cripple Creek Rd, turn left to stay on SR-690/Cripple Creek Rd, turn right onto SR-646/Tank Rd, turn left onto SR-619/Gleaves Rd, then turn right onto Raven Cliff Lane and follow it to the parking area.
Site Information
Managed By:
- National Park Service
Access Requirements:
- Daily, sunrise-sunset; admission fee required for camping
Contact Information:
- US Forest Service Mount Rogers National Recreation Area District Office, 276-783-5196
- 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.