Where do you venture when you want to enjoy West Virginia’s lush meadows, towering forests, and a rippling stream? The same place you go to find a rare plant, animal, or bird. Incidentally, this is also where you can find someone eager to help you learn more about West Virginia’s amazing nature scene AND where you can see some of the only Shenandoah Wet Prairie Marsh in the world: Cool Springs Preserve in Charles Town.
In 1752, young George Washington purchased 1,459 acres along beautiful Bullskin Run in present day West Virginia, including a portion of marshland now known as Cool Spring Preserve near Charles Town.
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Part of the Chesepeake Bay Watershed, Cool Spring Preserve features 12 of the only 100 acres of Shenandoah Wet Prairie Marsh existing in the world.
ksteinwender/Tripadvisor Hand-in-hand with their unique ecosystem, this preserve also hosts 12 rare or very rare West Virginia plants and several protected animal species.
To help you explore this unique ecosystem, Cool Spring Preserve features 1.7 miles of mowed trails that meander through the 63-acre property.
Potomac Valley Audubon Society
Wildlife love Cool Spring’s marshes, meadows, and woodlands, making this preserve a favorite spot for birders and nature enthusiasts.
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But Cool Spring isn’t just for adults. In fact, the preserve prides itself on being kid-friendly, offering activities throughout the year designed to allow the whole family to participate.
Potomac Valley Audubon Society/Facebook
This is made possible in part by the on-site nature center at Cool Spring Preserve, one of the most energy efficient buildings in the state.
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It houses all sorts of interesting nature specimens and activities that will appeal to and help educate kids and adults alike!
Potomac Valley Audubon Society/Facebook
This beautiful, diverse nature preserve is located at 1469 Lloyd Road in Charles Town, West Virginia.
ksteinwender/Tripadvisor The preserve is limited to foot traffic only and practices leave-no-trace principles in an effort to preserve and protect the many species of rare and very rare native plants and animals found here.
The preserve is open daily from dawn to dusk. To learn more and plan your own trip to Cool Spring Preserve, visit the Potomac Valley Audubon Society’s website here. And if you work up an appetite exploring the preserve, you can always stop for a meal at Mountain View Restaurant in Charles Town.
ksteinwender/Tripadvisor
Hand-in-hand with their unique ecosystem, this preserve also hosts 12 rare or very rare West Virginia plants and several protected animal species.
Potomac Valley Audubon Society
Kadija13/Tripadvisor
Potomac Valley Audubon Society/Facebook
The preserve is limited to foot traffic only and practices leave-no-trace principles in an effort to preserve and protect the many species of rare and very rare native plants and animals found here.
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Address: Cool Spring Nature Preserve, 1469 Lloyd Rd, Charles Town, WV 25414, USA
