The Roanoke River is home to a range of fauna, including the Roanoke logperch (Percina rex), a federally and state-endangered species native to the Roanoke River. The largest populations inhabit the upper Roanoke River from the City of Roanoke into the lower reaches of its main forks. The Upper Roanoke River watershed is also home to numerous species of birds and waterfowl, wildlife, and game fish.
The Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail is a driving trail that provides travelers with opportunities to view a wide variety of wildlife. The Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail, established and maintained by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF), is the first statewide wildlife trail of its kind in the United States. The Roanoke River provides access to the following Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail sites which are part of the Mountain Trail.
