List of National Natural Landmarks in West Virginia

This is a list of the National Natural Landmarks (NNLs) in West Virginia. There are fifteen in all — five are wetlands (such as bogs and swamps), three are forests, six are limestone caves/karst, and one is a rock formation. All are located entirely within West Virginia with the exception of the Cranesville Swamp Nature Sanctuary, which lies mostly within Garrett County, Maryland but also extends into Preston County, West Virginia. Ten of the fifteen NNLs are within the boundaries of the Monongahela National Forest, although this does not necessarily mean they are on public land.

West Virginia National Natural Landmarks (clickable map)
Name Image Date Location County Ownership Description
1 Big Run Bog 1974 Tucker Federal Located within the Monongahela National Forest, contains a high-altitude northern spruce bog.
2 Blister Run Swamp 1974 Pocahontas Federal A high-altitude balsam fir swamp located in Monongahela National Forest.
3 Canaan Valley 1974 39.126667°N 79.378056°W / 39.126667; -79.378056 (Canaan Valley) Tucker Federal Protects a boreal forest. Located in Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
4 Cathedral State Park 1965 39.326667°N 79.538056°W / 39.326667; -79.538056 (Cathedral State Park) Preston State Features a cool, dense hemlock forest.
5 Cranberry Glades Botanical Area 1974 38.203056°N 80.266389°W / 38.203056; -80.266389 (Cranberry Glades Botanical Area) Pocahontas Federal A bog forest, shrub thicket, and open glade in Monongahela National Forest.
6 Cranesville Swamp Nature Sanctuary 1964 39.531389°N 79.481944°W / 39.531389; -79.481944 (Cranesville Swamp Nature Sanctuary) Preston Private A natural bowl where cool, moist conditions yield plant and animal communities more common in northern latitudes. Extends into, and primarily located in, Garrett County, Maryland. Operated by The Nature Conservancy.
7 Fisher Spring Run Bog 1974 Grant Federal Contains a spruce bog. Located in Monongahela National Forest.
8 Gaudineer Scenic Area 1974 38.628056°N 79.8425°W / 38.628056; -79.8425 (Gaudineer Scenic Area) Randolph,
Pocahontas		 Federal A virgin red spruce forest in Monongahela National Forest.
9 Germany Valley Karst Area 1973 38.765°N 79.39°W / 38.765; -79.39 (Germany Valley Karst Area) Pendleton Mixed - federal, private A unique intermountain karst area.
10 Greenville Saltpeter Cave 1973 Monroe Private Protects the largest saltpeter cave in the state.
11 Ice Mountain 2012 39.363333°N 78.466944°W / 39.363333; -78.466944 (Ice Mountain) Hampshire Private Supports a rich collection of boreal vascular plants. Operated by The Nature Conservancy.
12 Lost World Caverns 1973 37.8326°N 80.4469°W / 37.8326; -80.4469 (Lost World Caverns) Greenbrier Private Cave contains pedestal-like stalagmites.
13 Organ Cave System 1973 37.718056°N 80.436944°W / 37.718056; -80.436944 (Organ Cave System) Greenbrier Private Largest cave in West Virginia.
14 Shavers Mountain Spruce-Hemlock Stand 1974 Randolph Federal An old-growth stand of red spruce and hemlock trees. Part of Monongahela National Forest.
15 Sinnett-Thorn Mountain Cave System 1973 Pendleton Private Cave system with waterfalls and deep pits.

De-designation

According to a notice in the Federal Register in July 2006, Swago Karst Area in Pocahontas County was removed by the Department of the Interior from NNL designation in response to owner requests.[1] It was originally designated in November 1973. Its description formerly read: "A classic illustration of features associated with karst topography and terrain, including caverns and other passages."[2]

See also

References
  1. "Notice of Multiple National Natural Landmark Boundary Changes and De-designations" (PDF). Federal Register. 71 (138): 41050. July 19, 2006. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
  2. "Swago Karst Area". National Natural Landmarks. National Park Service. Archived from the original on February 1, 2005. Retrieved November 20, 2016.
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