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Nature|Wildlife & Farms

Only 100 Acres Of The Rare Marshland At This West Virginia Preserve Exist In The World

Cool Spring Preserve in Charles Town, West Virginia, offers a unique ecosystem with rare plants and animals, mowed trails, and a kid-friendly nature center.

Published Mar 31, 2021

Written by 

Cristy

Where do you venture when you want to enjoy West Virginia's lush meadows, towering forests, and a rippling stream? The same place you go to find a rare plant, animal, or bird. Incidentally, this is also where you can find someone eager to help you learn more about West Virginia's amazing nature scene AND where you can see some of the only Shenandoah Wet Prairie Marsh in the world: Cool Springs Preserve in Charles Town.

In 1752, young George Washington purchased 1,459 acres along beautiful Bullskin Run in present day West Virginia, including a portion of marshland now known as Cool Spring Preserve near Charles Town.

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ksteinwender/Tripadvisor

Part of the Chesepeake Bay Watershed, Cool Spring Preserve features 12 of the only 100 acres of Shenandoah Wet Prairie Marsh existing in the world.

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ksteinwender/Tripadvisor

Hand-in-hand with their unique ecosystem, this preserve also hosts 12 rare or very rare West Virginia plants and several protected animal species.

To help you explore this unique ecosystem, Cool Spring Preserve features 1.7 miles of mowed trails that meander through the 63-acre property.

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Potomac Valley Audubon Society

Wildlife love Cool Spring's marshes, meadows, and woodlands, making this preserve a favorite spot for birders and nature enthusiasts.

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Kadija13/Tripadvisor

But Cool Spring isn't just for adults. In fact, the preserve prides itself on being kid-friendly, offering activities throughout the year designed to allow the whole family to participate.

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Potomac Valley Audubon Society/Facebook

This is made possible in part by the on-site nature center at Cool Spring Preserve, one of the most energy efficient buildings in the state.

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It houses all sorts of interesting nature specimens and activities that will appeal to and help educate kids and adults alike!

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Potomac Valley Audubon Society/Facebook

This beautiful, diverse nature preserve is located at 1469 Lloyd Road in Charles Town, West Virginia.

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ksteinwender/Tripadvisor

The preserve is limited to foot traffic only and practices leave-no-trace principles in an effort to preserve and protect the many species of rare and very rare native plants and animals found here.

The preserve is open daily from dawn to dusk. To learn more and plan your own trip to Cool Spring Preserve, visit the Potomac Valley Audubon Society's website here. And if you work up an appetite exploring the preserve, you can always stop for a meal at Mountain View Restaurant in Charles Town.

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Nature|Wildlife & Farms

The Best Apple Cider Donuts in West Virginia Come From This Remote Farm

Sink your teeth into some of the very best autumnal treats in West Virginia this season at Orr's Farm Market in Martinsburg.

Published Oct 21, 2024

Written by 

Beth Copenhaver

Apple cider donuts capture so perfectly everything we love about the fall season: baking spices, local produce, and a hint of sweetness that signifies the arrival of autumn. And while they've become ubiquitous this time of year, it's also true that not all cider donuts are created equally. That's why we're encouraging you to visit Orr's Farm Market in Martinsburg to get some of the best cider donuts in West Virginia — which, we understand is making a bold claim.

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Orr's Orchard and Farm Market is the perfect place to spend a fall day here in West Virginia. Bring the whole family, too, because there's something for every age to appreciate about this family-run farm. As soon as you arrive, you'll want to hop on a wagon and make your way to the U-pick pumpkin patch. It's there that you can visit with the farm animals, select your very own pumpkin, and enjoy all the adorable photo ops.

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Orr's Farm Market / Facebook

But the real reason for the season is tucked away inside the market: the apples and, more specifically, the apple cider donuts. Reviewers have cited many reasons for loving their visit to Orr's, but the cider donuts are number one. It's difficult to describe exactly what makes these donuts so delicious — you'll have to take our word for it, or better yet, go order a dozen for yourself!

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Orr's Farm Market / Facebook

Not a donut fan? No problem; there are other delightful seasonal treats to enjoy, including freshly baked pies and muffins. Plus, you can stock up on locally sourced meats and produce while you're there.

There's so much to enjoy about your visit to Orr's: the hands-on farm experience, the community feel of this family-run operation, the delightful local produce, and, of course, the seasonal treats that you'll be daydreaming about for the rest of the year.

Have you ever visited Orr's Farm in the fall? What did you enjoy most about your experience? We'd love to hear from you! If you need even more inspiration for an amazing autumn here in the Mountain State, take a look at our ultimate guide to fall activities and adventures in West Virginia. We bet you'll be putting on your coziest flannel in no time!

For related content, take a look at what makes Martinsburg one of our absolute favorite small towns in West Virginia to visit for a healthy dose of history, shopping, dining, and much more.

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Nature|Wildlife & Farms

The One West Virginia Farm Where You Can Interact With 100 Animals

Published Sep 23, 2024

Written by 

Cristy

Wild Goats Farm is a delightful family farm petting zoo in Clarksburg, West Virginia, that offers a unique and interactive experience for visitors of all ages. This charming farm is home to a variety of friendly animals, including goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, cows, alpacas, a tortoise, and more (they've got 100 animals!), making it the perfect destination for animal lovers and families looking for a fun day out in the countryside.

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One of the highlights of Wild Goats Farm is the opportunity to interact with such a wide variety of animals up close and personal. My kids and I love animals, but there is no way that we could ever have this many at our house!

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Wild Goats Farm / Facebook

But we don't need to, since we can just go visit Wild Goats Farm to get our animal fix. Visitors can feed and pet many of the animals, creating unforgettable memories and bonding with these adorable creatures.

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Wild Goats Farm / Facebook

A hospitable family owns and runs the farm. They are knowledgeable and passionate about their animals, and they are always happy to answer questions and share interesting facts about the different species.

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Wild Goats Farm / Facebook

In addition to the animal interactions, Wild Goats Farm also offers a range of fun activities and special events for visitors to enjoy, from moonlight yoga to toddler days. There are even picnic areas where families can relax and enjoy a meal together while soaking in the picturesque surroundings of the farm.

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Wild Goats Farm / Facebook

Wild Goats Farm is committed to providing a safe and clean environment for both the animals and visitors.

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Wild Goats Farm / Facebook

This farm has been in the family for more than 200 years. The animals are well cared for and live in spacious and comfortable enclosures, and the farm staff take great care to ensure that hygiene and sanitation standards are maintained at all times.

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Wild Goats Farm / Facebook

This attention to detail helps to create a welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone who visits the farm.

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Wild Goats Farm / Facebook

Overall, Wild Goats Farm is a hidden gem of a petting zoo in Clarksburg, West Virginia that offers a truly unique and memorable experience for anyone who loves animals and the outdoors. Whether you are looking for a fun day out with the family, a school field trip, or a special event venue, this charming petting zoo has something to offer for everyone. Here's the catch: the farm isn't open to the public on a set schedule, so call and schedule your tour or watch the farm's Facebook page for events that are open to the public so you can come on down to Wild Goats Farm and make some furry new friends! You can even spend the night!

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