Explore Preserves
Connecting People to Nature
The Future
Mitchell River Preserve
Owned and Managed by Piedmont Land Conservancy
Opening 2026-2027
As of December 19, 2024 Piedmont Land Conservancy has acquired 311 acres along the pristine Mitchell River near historic Kapp’s Mill in Surry County. This significant land purchase will become the future Mitchell River Preserve, safeguarding beautiful land and offering public hiking trails in the coming years.
“This land is exactly what we’re always working to protect,” said Kevin Redding, Executive Director of Piedmont Land Conservancy. “It’s a large tract of undeveloped land next to a significant river. Creating a nature preserve here will protect a vital habitat while benefiting the river, wildlife, and nearby communities.”
The 311-acre property includes beautiful natural features, such as bubbling streams, small cascades, rhododendron canopies, and 180-foot bluffs that overlook the Mitchell River. The preserve borders over 0.6 miles along the Mitchell River, safeguarding clean water and critical habitats for rare and common species.
While large sections of the land will remain untouched to preserve its ecological integrity, PLC plans to create public hiking trails in areas suitable for safe access. We cannot yet provide a date for the opening of the Mitchell River Preserve, but are hopeful it will be within the next few years.
Support the creation of this preserve and the protection of other special places in the Piedmont of North Carolina by giving here:
Making Conservation Possible
Back in 2001, Piedmont Land Conservancy conducted a comprehensive study of the Mitchell River Corridor which identified this specific parcel as a high-priority tract for land conservation.
The purchase of this land was made possible by bringing together multiple sources of funding. A key source of funding was a $976,000 grant from the North Carolina Land and Water Fund (NCLWF) which was awarded in the fall of 2024. The NCLWF, created by the General Assembly in 1996 has conserved well over one-half million acres and protected or restored 3,000 miles of streams and rivers over the past 28 years.
“The chance to protect several miles of the Mitchell River and its tributaries does not come along often,” said Will Summer, Executive Director of the NCLWF. “This project not only benefits the aquatic organisms that call the Mitchell River home, but also the 1.6 million people living in the Yadkin Pee-Dee River Basin, and many others who come here to enjoy the natural beauty and pristine waters. On behalf of the NCLWF board and staff, we are proud to partner with PLC and others to make this happen.”
With additional contributions from the Amon G. Carter Foundation, the Chatham Foundation, the Mary Cain Foundation, and Fred Stanback, PLC was able to ensure the protection of the land from future development. As of December 19, 2024, Piedmont Land Conservancy is the proud owner of this important conservation property.
Ecological and Recreational Importance
The 311-acre property includes beautiful natural features, such as bubbling streams, small cascades, rhododendron canopies, and 180-foot bluffs that overlook the Mitchell River. The preserve borders over 0.6 miles along the Mitchell River, safeguarding clean water and critical habitats for rare and common species.
Protecting this land will benefit rare aquatic species that depend on clean water, such as the Thicklipp Chub, classified as a state vulnerable species, and the Brook Floater mussel, listed as state endangered. This conservation effort aligns with the 2020 Brook Floater Conservation Plan established by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC), which highlights the importance of preserving at least 100 feet of forested land along the Mitchell River to maintain viable populations of this freshwater mussel.
Recreationally, the Mitchell River supports critical habitat for native game species such as trout, smallmouth bass, and sunfish. A section of the property borders a delayed-harvest area of the river, where fishing is permitted under catch-and-release rules during designated seasons. Renowned as a premier fishing destination in the Yadkin Valley, these pristine mountain waters attract anglers from across the country, boosting the region’s tourism economy. Preserving the forested areas along the riverbank is essential for maintaining the cool water temperatures required for thriving trout populations.
While large sections of the land will remain untouched to preserve its ecological integrity, PLC plans to create public hiking trails in areas suitable for safe access. The Mitchell River Preserve will join PLC’s growing list of nature preserves. PLC currently manages two public nature preserves, Knight Brown Nature Preserve and Caraway Creek Preserve. They are currently in the process of creating their third, Bashavia Creek Preserve, and the Mitchell River Preserve would be the fourth. Piedmont Land Conservancy cannot yet provide a date for the opening of the Mitchell River Preserve, but they’re hopeful it will be within the next few years.
Preserving the Future
The Mitchell River Preserve marks a milestone in PLC’s mission to protect the natural beauty and ecological significance of the Piedmont region. With this addition, PLC has now protected more than 11,000 acres in the Mitchell River watershed, furthering efforts to keep this vital river clean and its ecosystem thriving. The Mitchell River, a tributary to the Yadkin River, is special for its pristine waters and is one of the only designated “Outstanding Resource Waters” outside of state parks in the region.
Partners such as Surry County, Yadkin Riverkeeper, NC Wildlife Commission, and Blue Ridge Trout Unlimited have been instrumental in ensuring the Mitchell River remains pristine for future generations. This land acquisition is another significant step toward that goal.
PLC will be working diligently to create hiking trails while preserving the land’s ecological integrity. Stay tuned for updates as the Mitchell River Preserve takes shape.
Where is it?
Keep in Touch!
Join our community of local conservationists and get PLC news, outing and volunteer opportunities, and nature notes to your inbox once a month!
More about Piedmont Land Conservancy
Consider giving to
Piedmont Land Conservancy
to protect more special places like this one.