This description of the upland woods found in Turkey Run Park was contained in a report by the Virginia Division of Natural Heritage in 1993. Relatively undisturbed over the last century - most of the forest was cleared during the Civil War - this mature forest contains, in addition to beech and tulip poplar, eight species of oak, five species of hickory, as well as numerous basswoods and sugar maples both of which are indicators of rich soils. There is also a well-developed floodplain forest extending for nearly three miles along the Potomac River shore. Sections of the floodplain, which is regularly deposited with rich alluvial soil from upriver, may be as wide as 600 feet.
Turkey Run Park lies in the piedmont (foot of the mountains) province and contains steep hills, referred to as palisades, which rise 200 feet above the shore of the river. The hills contain many rock outcroppings and are cut by over 12 deep ravines which lead from the uplands to the bottomlands along the river. Two of these ravines contain year-round streams, Turkey Run and Dead Run, and four others have some water throughout the year.
A springtime hike through the park provides a wonderful opportunity to explore the world of spring wildflowers. Large colonies of virginia bluebells blanket portions of the floodplains while squirrel corn and dutchman's breeches cover some hillsides. In mid-April, the careful observer might identify upwards of 25 species in bloom. Other species commonly found in Turkey Run include trout lily, spring beauty, bloodroot, and cut-leaved toothwort.
The diverse forests of Turkey Run provide habitat utilized by many animals. Mammals living in Turkey Run include white tail deer, beaver, red fox, and bats. A recent study (1993) unveiled 20 species of reptiles and amphibians living in the park. These included four salamander species, five frog species, and six species of snakes including copperheads. The park is also an especially ideal wilderness habitat for a great number of native and migratory bird species. Nearly 150 species of birds have been observed in Turkey Run including great horned owls, pileated woodpeckers, wild turkey, and bald eagles.