Points of Interest:
- See a stand of mature shortleaf pines that reach up to 80-90 feet tall.
- Look and listen for pine warblers in the spring and red-breasted nuthatches in the winter among the pines.
- Listen to the distinct sound of the wind in the pines and the smell of pine sap.
Natural Features Description:
The dry, acidic soils of this site support a variety of shrubs in the blueberry family including farkleberry, deerberry, and low bush blueberry. Other plants adapted to these conditions include dittany, bracken fern, and Sampson’s snakeroot. The sandy soils here have weathered from the Lamotte Formation a sandstone that was formed over 500 million years ago when this area was a beach along a shallow sea.
This natural area is within Hawn State Park. From the intersection of Highways 67 and 32 in Farmington take Highway 32 east for 12.5 miles and turn right (south) onto Highway 144. Travel 3 miles on Highway 144 to the park entrance. Follow the main park road to the park office. The natural area is south of Evans Knob and can be accessed from the Whispering Pines Hiking Trail. Ask park staff about accessing the natural area from the hiking trail. A map and compass are recommended to explore the area.
United States