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Open-Space Reserves

The Virginia Outdoors Foundations owns 4,444 acres of open space on six different reserves. Each reserve is managed for different conservation purposes, and public access is managed accordingly. Not every reserve may be accessed without prior permission from VOF. Please select the reserve you are interested in below to learn more about its history, conservation purpose, and accessibility.

Bull Run Mountains
Natural Area Preserve

Fauquier & Prince William Counties
This 2,350-acre preserve is located just 35 miles outside of Washington, D.C., and is the easternmost mountain system in Virginia. Its diverse habitat is home to thousands of species of plants and animals. The property serves as a living lab for scientists and students in the region, and is also a favorite destination of hikers.
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Rockfish

Nelson County
This 86-acre reserve consists of mostly forested land along nearly one mile of the Rockfish River, which forms the reserve's eastern boundary. The property is not currently opened to the public, but planning is underway to determine its future use.
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House Mountain

Rockbridge County
This 968-acre reserve near Lexington is one of Virginia's most iconic landscape formations. Composed of Big House Mountain and Little House Mountain, the property is used annually by students from the Virginia Military Institute and Washington & Lee for outings, and is also popular with hikers throughout the region.
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Kohls Island

Northumberland County
This 80-acre reserve is located at the mouth of the Potomac River on the Chesapeake Bay. It contains sensitive dune habitat for an endangered species of tiger beetle and other species. It is only accessible by boat and is not open except by permission. Its primary purpose is scientific and educational use.
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Hayfields

Highland County
This 1,034-acre open-space reserve, acquired in 2017, lies in the beautiful Bullpasture River valley of Highland County. VOF recently began a long-term management planning process to determine the best way to conserve the property for maximum benefit to the Commonwealth and local community.
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Blue Ball Mountain

Clarke County
This 100-acre reserve sits along the Shenandoah River in Clarke County and is protected primarily for the scenic enjoyment of river users. It is surrounded by private land and is therefore not accessible to the public without prior permission from VOF.
Learn More

Bull Run Mountains
Natural Area Preserve

Fauquier & Prince William Counties
This 2,350-acre preserve is located just 35 miles outside of Washington, D.C., and is the easternmost mountain system in Virginia. Its diverse habitat is home to thousands of species of plants and animals. The property serves as a living lab for scientists and students in the region, and is also a favorite destination of hikers.
Learn More

House Mountain

Rockbridge County
This 968-acre reserve near Lexington is one of Virginia's most iconic landscape formations. Composed of Big House Mountain and Little House Mountain, the property is used annually by students from the Virginia Military Institute and Washington & Lee for outings, and is also popular with hikers throughout the region.
Learn More

Hayfields

Highland County
This 1,023-acre open-space reserve, acquired in 2017, lies in the beautiful Bullpasture River valley of Highland County. VOF recently began a long-term management planning process to determine the best way to conserve the property for maximum benefit to the Commonwealth and local community.
Learn More

Rockfish

Nelson County
This 86-acre reserve consists of mostly forested land along nearly one mile of the Rockfish River, which forms the reserve's eastern boundary. The property is not currently opened to the public, but planning is underway to determine its future use.
Learn More

Kohls Island

Northumberland County
This 80-acre reserve is located at the mouth of the Potomac River on the Chesapeake Bay. It contains sensitive dune habitat for an endangered species of tiger beetle and other species. It is only accessible by boat and is not open except by permission. Its primary purpose is scientific and educational use.
Learn More

Blue Ball Mountain

Clarke County
This 100-acre reserve sits along the Shenandoah River in Clarke County and is protected primarily for the scenic enjoyment of river users. It is surrounded by private land and is therefore not accessible to the public without prior permission from VOF.
Learn More