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Voorhees Nature Preserve

Description

The Nature Conservancy’s Voorhees Nature Preserve has four miles of trails through mature deciduous forest, boardwalks that cross open wetlands and beaver ponds, and spectacular vistas from bluffs overlooking the Rappahannock River. Bald eagles, ospreys and migratory songbirds are abundant and in mid to late summer, beautiful blooming wildflowers including eastern Joe-Pye weed and orchids can be observed. Well-maintained trails lead from the parking area to a viewing area overlooking a beaver pond complex (0.8 miles, one-way) and a spectacular bluff overlooking the Rappahannock River (1.1 miles, one-way). Longer hikes are also available to a 300’ long boardwalk over a tidal freshwater marsh (2 miles, one-way) and the famed “Hollow Tree” a hollow tulip tree large enough for several adults to stand inside.

Wildlife Sightings

138 species have been reported at this site to date.

Birds Recently Seen at Voorhees Nature Preserve:

  • Yellow-billed Cuckoo
  • Ruby-throated Hummingbird
  • Red-bellied Woodpecker
  • Eastern Wood-Pewee
  • Acadian Flycatcher
  • Great Crested Flycatcher
  • Yellow-throated Vireo
  • Red-eyed Vireo
  • Carolina Chickadee
  • Tufted Titmouse

Recent Checklists:

Date# of SpeciesSubmitted By
30 Jun 202635Frederick Atwood
27 Jun 202622Jason Kang
27 Jun 202622Katherine Jin
16 May 202638George Arnold
31 Mar 202625Frederick Atwood

See more recent checklists…

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

Learn more about Birdability’s efforts to map accessible outdoor spaces

Maps & Directions

View on Google Maps

Physical Address: 322 Bristol Mine Road, Colonial Beach, Virginia 22443

From VA-3 W at Claymont Rd near Oak Grove, VA, turn on rte 634/ Claymont Rd. Follow Claymont Road for 0.4 miles. Turn right onto Bristol Mine Road (Route 674). Continue on Bristol Mine Road for 0.8 miles, turning left at the sign for Voorhees Nature Preserve. Follow the gravel road to the parking area.

Managed By:

  • The Nature Conservancy

Access Requirements:

  • Free, Open daily (dawn to dusk)

Contact Information:

  • Voorhees Preserve/ VA TNC office: 434-295-6106
  • 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.

About the VBWT

The Virginia Bird and Wildlife Trail is a network of over 600 greenspaces and blueways throughout the Commonwealth selected for their wildlife viewing potential. Walk a nature trail, paddle a river, or enjoy a scenic overlook and you’ll soon see why Virginia is a premier destination for birding and wildlife viewing.

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