List of National Natural Landmarks in West Virginia

This is a list of the National Natural Landmarks (NNLs) in West Virginia. There are 15 in all — 5 are wetlands (bogs, swamps, etc.), 3 are forests, 6 are limestone caves/karst, and one is a rock formation. (In addition, the Cranesville Swamp Preserve is a NNL mostly in Garrett County, Maryland, a portion of which extends into Preston County, West Virginia.) Ten of the 15 NNLs are within the boundaries of the Monongahela National Forest, although this does not necessarily mean they are on public land.

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 fir swamp located in Monongahela National Forest.
3 Canaan Valley 1974 Tucker federal Protects a northern boreal forest. Located in Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge.
4 Cathedral State Park 1965 Preston state Features a cool, dense hemlock forest.
5 Cranberry Glades Botanical Area 1974 Pocahontas federal A bog forest, shrub thicket, and open glade in Monongahela National Forest.
6 Fisher Spring Run Bog 1974 Grant federal Contains a spruce bog. Located in Monongahela National Forest.
7 Gaudineer Scenic Area 1974 Randolph,
Pocahontas 		federal A virgin red hemlock forest in Monongahela National Forest.
8 Germany Valley Karst Area 1973 Pendleton mixed- federal, private A unique intermountain karst area.
9 Greenville Saltpeter Cave 1973 Monroe private Protects the largest saltpeter cave in the state.
10 Ice Mountain 2012 Hampshire private Supports a rich collection of boreal vascular plants. Operated by The Nature Conservancy.
11 Lost World Caverns 1973 Greenbrier private Cave contains pedestal-like stalagmites.
12 Organ Cave System 1973 Greenbrier private Largest cave in West Virginia.
13 Shavers Mountain Spruce-Hemlock Stand 1974 Randolph federal An old grove strand of red spruce and hemlock trees. Part of Monongahela National Forest.
14 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 (Vol. 71, No. 138 / Wednesday, July 19, 2006), Swago Karst Area (in Pocahontas County) was removed by the Department of the Interior from NNL designation in response to owner requests. Its citation formerly read: "A classic illustration of features associated with karst topography and terrain, including caverns and other passages. Three miles west of Marlinton."

See also

External links

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