Roberts Creek State Preserve

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State Preserves

Roberts Creek State Preserve is a 13.5-acre area featuring a steep, wooded, north-Ā­facing slope with a large population of northern wild monkshood, a federally threatened plant species found mainly on algific talus slopes. It is located in Clayton County. 

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About the Land

The land was purchased in 1987 and dedicated in 1990 as a biological and geoĀ­logical state preserve. The steep, forested slope of this preserve is characteristic of the Paleozoic Plateau landform region. 

Outcrops of Ordovician-age limestone (450 million years old), sinkĀ­holes, and seeps or springs also can be found throughout the preserve. Such ā€œkarstā€ features are characteristic of terrain underlain by shallow, fractured limestone. 

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Directions

This preserve is not accessible to the public.

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Plants

The forest community in this preserve is dominated by a mixture of sugar maple, basswood, and red oak. Steeper algific (cold-air) habitats also contain paper and yellow birch. 

In the understory blooms include:

  • Ninebark
  • Downy serviceberry
  • Alternate-leaved dogwood
  • Bush honeysuckle
  • Elderberry
  • Blue beech
  • Ironwood 

Bloodroot, spring beauty, and snow trillium are commonly found blooming in spring, beginning in March. 

By April, wild ginger, Dutchmanā€™s breeches, and downy yellow violet can be seen flowering along with: 

  • Bellwort
  • Jack-in-the-pulpit
  • White trout-lily
  • Solomonā€™s seal
  • Showy orchis
  • Blue cohosh
  • Nodding trillium
  • Swamp buttercup
  • Columbine

Green dragon, Canada mayflower, Jacobā€™s ladder, and yellow ladyā€™s slipper begin blooming in May. 

By June and July, wild sarsaparilla, shinleaf, harebell, Indian pipe, and purple joe-pye-weed are scattered among the fern such as:

  • Maidenhair fern
  • Slender rockbrake
  • Smooth cliffbrake
  • Walking fern
  • Northern lady fern
  • Dissected grapefern
  • Rattlesnake fern
  • Interrupted fern

Fall coralroot orchid and arrow-leaved aster join the floral display in August. 

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Visitor Information

Other natural or geological areas in the vicinity include Pikes Peak State Park, and White Pine Hollow, Retz Woods, Bixby, and Mossy Glen State Preserves.

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