Just up the road from Mount Airy, in Fancy Gap, Virginia, is a nature preserve that offers unparrelled views from the mountain, as well as plenty for families to do and explore.
Coming up on May 4, officials there will be holding a day for area residents to visit, get tours, and have plenty of fun on Devil’s Den Nature Preserve Awareness Day.
The Devil’s Den Caves were formed 600 million years ago by the collision of the Appalachian and the Piedmont rock encrustations. The hike to the cave itself is strenuous, steep and narrow but the views are spectacular. “We have a beautiful meadow, a wildflower garden, and plenty to explore and enjoy topside. We are on the Virginia Bird and Wildlife Trail and home to many remarkable species year round,” the preserve’s recent Facebook posting said.
Migrating neotropical songbirds pass through in the spring and fall. The Devil’s Den Nature Preserve is officially opens May 1 thru Oct. 31 and there is no fee to enter the preserve, although donations are welcomed. “We have a large covered pavilion with restrooms available to rent for special events,” the organization’s Facebook page says.
Beginning at 11 a.m. on May 4 there will be historical story tellers Arthur Cox and Stu Shenk, providing insights into some of Carroll County’s pioneers, guided tours down the mountain to the Devil’s Den Cave opening, and kite flying on the beautiful mountain top meadow. “We encourage the public to bring a kite to fly...get some tips from Derrick Parker — a professional kite flier, or just take in the show. Please bring lunch and plenty of water and plan to spend the afternoon exploring our beautiful mountain.”
The group’s Facebook page said there are public restrooms available but emphasized there is no access to drinking water. Shenk will also be bringing his band the Fisher Peak Timber Rattlers for a performance.
“If you haven’t visited the preserve in a some time please come out and see the changes and updates to the trails and overlook-which is always a work in progress,” the Facebook page said. “Opening weekend will also be a great opportunity to sign up to volunteer with us for special projects such as the historic Harris Homestead Project.”
The Devil’s Den Nature Preserve, located just off the Blue Ridge Parkway at 80 Cemetary Rd. in Fancy Gap, is a managed by a foundation which maintains the preserve by donations and volunteers. For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/devilsdencaves
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