Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve

When we started this blog, we hoped it would push us to explore more areas and try new hikes. Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve was one of the first parks we explored with that goal in mind. The Natural Area Preserve is located in Honaker, VA at the confluence of the Clinch River and Big Cedar Creek. The park gets its name from a 400 foot dolomite rock formation called “The Pinnacle”. There are lots of waterfalls throughout the park, a swinging bridge, and a large variety of plant life that only exists in and around the park. We visited on a cool fall day and didn’t see another person until we were finishing up our hike. It’s definitely one of Southwest Virginia’s best kept secrets!

Getting There

From I-81:

Take exit 14 towards Abingdon and merge onto Old Jonesboro Rd.
Pass the Higher Ed Center and the SWVA Community college, after about 0.5 miles, turn right onto W Main St.
After a mile turn left onto US-19 N
Continue on this road for about 18 miles, take exit 1 towards Lebanon. Turn left at the end of the ramp.
Drive about a mile on W Main St, turn left onto VA-82 W/ Mountain Rd. This is at a strange light, you sit back quite a bit from the light and take a sharp left. It’s easy to miss.
After a mile, turn right onto River Road. Be careful and drive the speed limit on this road, we saw many pets hanging out in the road.
Drive for 4.3 miles and turn left into the Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve on State Park Rd. There is a large gravel parking area at the end of this road.

From Kingsport:

From I-26 continue onto US-23.
When you get to Gate City, take a slight right onto Kane St.
After 0.3 miles, turn right onto Jones St and after another 0.3 miles, turn right onto VA-71 N/ E Jackson St.
Continue for 24.9 mi and turn right onto US-58 Alt E for 1.5 miles.
Turn left onto VA-71 N/Trail of the Lonesome Pine.
After 8.7 miles, turn left onto W Main St.
At the next light, turn left onto VA-82 W/ Mountain Rd. This is at a strange light, you sit back quite a bit from the light and take a sharp left. It’s easy to miss.
After a mile, turn right onto River Road. Be careful and drive the speed limit on this road, we saw many pets hanging out in the road.
Drive for 4.3 miles and turn left into the Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve on State Park Rd. There is a large gravel parking area at the end of this road.

Hikes in the Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve

Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve Trail Map — Map of the Preserve
(https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/document/pgpinnacle.pdf)

The park has one main trail that leads from the parking area to the confluence of the rivers. No matter which trails you hike, you’ll use the Big Cedar Creek tail, a blue blazed trail. The hike starts at the parking lot, head towards the swinging bridge and continue up and over the river.

Swinging Bridge over Big Cedar Creek in the Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve — Swinging Bridge

The trail follows the creek with lots of flora and fauna to see. After about 0.9 miles you’ll come to the Spring Falls trail. There is a small spur trail after 1.1 miles that will take you down to the enjoy another waterfall. The best part of this hike is Big Falls, the largest waterfall in the park. There is a long stone “bench” you can rest on and enjoy the power of the water. I can see this being a fun swimming hole in the summer!

Right-hand portion of Big Falls in the Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve

Side view of Big Falls in the Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve

View of Big Falls in the Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve

The confluence of the Clinch and Big Cedar Creek comes after 1.5 miles. There are beautiful rock formations here.

View upstream of Big Cedar Creek near the Clinch River and Big Cedar Creek Confluence — The confluence of the Clinch River and Big Cedar Creek

Spring Falls Trail- Green Spur Trail

This is a half mile out and back easy trail to Spring Falls. The trail was a bit over grown and we encountered some deer early in the morning, but overall a worthwhile hike. The falls are short, but extend across the entire creek. We enjoyed exploring the area and rock hopping to the island downstream from the waterfall to get a head on view of the falls.

View of Spring Falls from the island below the falls in the middle of Big Cedar Creek — Spring Falls

Pinnacle View Trail- Orange Spur Trail

This is an easy 0.25 mile loop that takes you down to view the Pinnacle. The Pinnacle is a 400 foot dolomite formation which towers over Big Cedar Creek.

View of the Pinnacle rock formation and clear creek below in the Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve — The Pinnacle- The park’s namesake

Copper Ridge Trail- Red Spur Trail

This trail is a 1 mile roundtrip steep hike up to an overlook. There is a platform at the end of the trail overlooking the valley. When we visited in early fall there was a lot of leaf coverage, this would be a great hike with an even better view in the winter or early spring.

Copper Ridge Trail Overlook in the Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve — Overlook on the Copper Ridge Trail

Grapevine Hill Trail- White Spur Trail

The last trail is a 1.3 mile loop that takes you up to a ridge through the woods. I would call this one moderate, but it is quite steep at points! There are some peek-a-boo views, but similar to the Copper Ridge trail, this trail would have the best views in winter or early spring.

If you like to fish, this would be a great park to visit, we saw quite a few people coming to fish as we were leaving. The link below leads to the park’s fact sheet. It gives some more information on the species unique to the park and the rock formations.

https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/document/pgpinnacle.pdf