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Waid Recreation Area

Description

Elevation: 1152 ft.

This sprawling 512-acre park has numerous attractions to offer the wildlife watcher, including nature trails and river access. A nature trail leads from the first parking area on the left into pine woodlands that support numerous breeding birds as well as white-throated sparrows and dark-eyed juncos in winter. White-breasted nuthatches could occur throughout the year. Traveling down the hill to the next parking area provides access to a seasonal wetland that can support a variety of waterfowl during winter and migration including hooded merganser. In summer, the wetland attracts several species of damsel- and dragonflies. Numerous swallowtails, sulphurs and skippers should be searched for in the more open areas of the park, as should eastern bluebird and killdeer.

Wildlife Sightings

124 species have been reported at this site to date.

Birds Recently Seen at Waid Recreation Area:

    Recent Checklists:

    Date# of SpeciesSubmitted By
    22 Dec 202525Anne Tucker
    11 Dec 202519Tiffany Beachy
    18 Nov 202527Shellie Falls
    18 Nov 202527Billy Falls
    14 Nov 202525Ken Washburn

    See more recent checklists…

    Amenities & Accessibility

    Amenities

    • On-site Parking
    • Restrooms
    • No Fee or Permit/Pass Requirement

    Other Amenities: Bike Trails, Hiking Trails, Interpretive Program/Events

    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: 701 Waid Park Rd, Rocky Mount, VA 24151

    From Rocky Mount, take VA-40 W/ Franklin St for 2 miles. Turn right onto State Rte 640 and continue 1.8 miles. Turn left onto State Rte 800, then make a sharp right. The park will be on the left.

    Access Requirements:

    • Free, Daily

    Contact Information:

    • (540) 483-6606 smartin@franklincountyva.org
    • 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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