Encompassing 263 acres, the Black’s Bluff Preserve is an area of exceptional botanical diversity that begins along the east bank of the Coosa River, near Rome, and moves upslope over boulders, cliffs and caves to some 880 feet above sea level.

The rich biodiversity of Black’s Bluff was documented by botanists in the 19th century who worked at George Vanderbilt’s extraordinary gardens at Biltmore Estate in North Carolina when they ranged out to learn about the plants of the southeast.  What they called the “Cliffs of the Coosa,” and what remains today, is an area of immense rock outcrops and lime-rich soil located on the cool, moist north face of Walker Mountain where uncommon plants thrive.

The Nature Conservancy works to secure and maintain the long-term health and integrity of Black’s Bluff while working with a diverse group of local, state, and private groups including Floyd County, Forestar Inc., and the Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance. Volunteers help maintain the two trails through the preserve, each of which is about a quarter-mile long.

Among The Nature Conservancy’s concerns for the area is continued industrial and residential development near the preserve, encroachment of nonnative species, and misuse of the preserve including cave exploring and disturbing sensitive plant areas off the trails. The Conservancy works to monitor and augment plant populations and uses prescribed burns to restore upland forests and reduce populations of invasive species. Notable species include cave dwelling bats, cave salamanders, mollusks, Georgia rockcress, large flowered skullcap, limerock arrowwood, and three flowered hawthorne. 

Black’s Bluff is open to the public during daylight hours without a reservation. To walk the trails at Black's Bluff, drive a little southwest of the (entirely inactive) quarries. There is a trail to the spring, unmarked at the road, but it's the last cable gate on the left before our property ends. You'll know you're in the right place because the big wooden "Welcome to Black’s Bluff Preserve" sign is about 20 yards down that trail, although it's difficult to see from the road. Once again, beware of fast traffic, and park beside the cable gate parallel to Black's Bluff Road with all your wheels off the road. If you pull straight down to the gate, you risk getting stuck on slick clay. Not ADA accessible.

The public trail, Spring Trail, will take you to the spring pools. It is moderately difficult and begins just beyond the preserve sign. This can be walked as a loop, if you return to your car via the road—beware of fast traffic—or you can return along the same trail.

The cliffs and forests alongside the river also can be birded by car by driving along Blacks Bluff Road.  There are several pull offs along the river.  If coming from downtown Rome, The preserve starts just past the Floyd County Work Release Center and continues until you get to the trailhead for the Spring Trail.

The AllTrails website has a description and map of a hike at Blacks Bluff Preserve. https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/georgia/blacks-bluff-preserve

Spring trail — 0.25 miles rocky dirt trail.  Not ADA accessible