Scenic Lexington, Buena Vista and Rockbridge County
9 Unique Outdoor Experiences
Rockbridge County Outdoors
<p>Rockbridge County is packed with opportunities for outdoor adventure – and the list goes well beyond the county’s many awesome trails. Check out the recommendations below for some of the most unique Rockbridge County adventures, which make the most of the county’s national forests, powerful rivers, striking geologic formations, and dark skies.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Scramble up boulders at Devils Marbleyard </strong></p><p>A jumble of <a href="https://lexingtonvirginia.com/outdoors/activities/attractions/devils-marbleyard" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">granite boulders</a> – some as big as a car – blanket a mountain slope in the James River Face Wilderness near Natural Bridge in the southern reaches of the county. From the parking area it’s a one-mile hike to the boulder field. Wear your grippiest shoes.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Stargaze at Natural Bridge </strong></p><p>The International Dark Sky Association named Natural Bridge State Park an International Dark Sky Park in 2021. This means that the park has taken steps to limit nighttime light pollution, making it easier to view the stars. Check the park calendar for ranger-led stargazing events or hike the Skyline Trail to the viewing area.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Follow the Gems of Rockbridge Geocache Trail</strong></p><p>Ten geocaches are hidden at carefully selected scenic and historic destinations across Lexington, Buena Vista, and Rockbridge County. Pick up a passport at the Lexington and Buena Vista visitor centers to participate in this high-tech treasure hunt that uses GPS coordinates. The passport is also available online on the <a href="https://lexingtonvirginia.com/articles/geocaching" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Lexington & Rockbridge Area Tourism website</a>.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Disc Golf at W&L and Glen Maury Park </strong></p><p>Got discs? Then test your skills on the 18-hole disc golf course at W&L. The course starts beside the back-campus Pavilion. There is a course map on the building. There are three tees for each hole, geared to varying skill levels. You’ll also find a new 9-hole course at Glen Maury Park in Buena Vista. Discs are sold at Just Games in downtown Lexington.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Scale two peaks at House Mountain</strong></p><p>Visitors to downtown Lexington may catch a glimpse of House Mountain, which rises on the western horizon. The mountain they see, however, is actually a composite of two separate peaks: Little House Mountain and Big House Mountain. Hikers ready for a half-day adventure can climb both peaks on a 9-mile out-and back hike, which begins at the parking area off Jacktown Road.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Watch a double feature at Hull’s Drive-In Theater</strong></p><p>One of only eight drive-in movie theaters in Virginia, Hull’s screens two movies on Friday and Saturday nights from March through late October. On nice nights you’ll find families and moviegoers sitting in fold-out chairs and blankets beside their cars or in the beds of their pick-up trucks – all enjoying the movies under the stars.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Ride horses at Morning Star Stables</strong></p><p>Saddle up for a guided horseback-riding tour of the pretty Shenandoah Valley. Tours ride along the river, cross meadows and forests, and climb the scenic rolling hills of Rockbridge County.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Sunbathe at Goshen Pass</strong></p><p>When W&L and VMI students play hooky, they often head to the cool waters of <a href="https://lexingtonvirginia.com/outdoors/activities/attractions/goshen" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Goshen Pass</a>, a rugged gorge carved by the Maury River through the forested mountains. Look for pull-outs along Hwy 39 then find a sunny spot on the rocks lining the shore and get comfy.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Paddle and camp on the Upper James River Water Trail</strong></p><p>A lengthy section of the 64-mile <a href="https://upperjamesriverwatertrail.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Upper James River Water Trail</a> flows through Rockbridge County on the James and Maury Rivers. These two Virginia Scenic Rivers converge south of Glasgow in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Wilderness Canoe Company and Twin River Outfitters rent canoes and provide shuttle service. They’ve also got campsites for overnight paddle trips. Visit www.upperjamesriverwatertrail.com for maps and river access points.</p>
Devils Marbleyard Devils Marbleyard is wonderland of quartzite boulders jumbled precariously across the side of a mountain. Turn around as you climb the rocks for a sweeping views of the Arnold Valley far below. The creek-crossing Belfast Trail passes the marbleyard on its three-mile climb to the Appalachian Trail in the James River Face Wilderness. The trailhead is just a few miles from Natural Bridge State Park
Devils Marbleyard is wonderland of quartzite boulders jumbled precariously across the side of a mountain. Turn around as you climb the rocks for a sweeping views of the Arnold Valley far below. The creek-crossing Belfast Trail passes the marbleyard on its three-mile climb to the Appalachian Trail in the James River Face Wilderness. The trailhead is just a few miles from Natural Bridge State Park
Glen Maury Park Glen Maury Park is Buena Vista’s 315-acre playground, providing wooded trails, an Olympic-sized pool, two campgrounds, as well as several pavilions where residents and tourists alike make the natural choice for enjoying life. Glen Maury Park hosts a variety of events each year – music from old time to classical, beach music to bluegrass, and gospel to rock n’roll. Around town you’ll find eateries and service businesses ready to provide what you need… all close at hand.
Glen Maury Park is Buena Vista’s 315-acre playground, providing wooded trails, an Olympic-sized pool, two campgrounds, as well as several pavilions where residents and tourists alike make the natural choice for enjoying life. Glen Maury Park hosts a variety of events each year – music from old time to classical, beach music to bluegrass, and gospel to rock n’roll. Around town you’ll find eateries and service businesses ready to provide what you need… all close at hand.
The nation’s only non-profit, community-owned drive-in theater is celebrating more than 70 years of movies under the stars in Rockbridge County.
Just Games Lexington Just Games is Lexington, Va.’s Friendly Local Game Store. It is a place to discover the latest board games alongside classic favorites with tables set up to play right in the store. Just Games hosts events in the evening and on weekends for competitive card games, such as Magic the Gathering and Pokemon, as well as role-playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons. We hope to build a community of people who come to our shop regularly to play with friends and disconnect from our overly digital world.
Just Games is Lexington, Va.’s Friendly Local Game Store. It is a place to discover the latest board games alongside classic favorites with tables set up to play right in the store. Just Games hosts events in the evening and on weekends for competitive card games, such as Magic the Gathering and Pokemon, as well as role-playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons. We hope to build a community of people who come to our shop regularly to play with friends and disconnect from our overly digital world.
Originally developed as a dairy farm in the mid 1800’s, Cason’s Farm is now the home of Morning Star Stables, which offers backcountry trail rides on the farm and the surrounding 250 acres of conservatory property year-round.
Washington and Lee University Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, is a nationally ranked, small, private, liberal arts university nestled in the mountains of western Virginia. As one of the oldest schools in the nation, we believe in the education of the whole person, and value students who are intellectually curious, eager to engage with their communities, inclined to critical thinking and prepared to lead lives of consequence.
Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, is a nationally ranked, small, private, liberal arts university nestled in the mountains of western Virginia. As one of the oldest schools in the nation, we believe in the education of the whole person, and value students who are intellectually curious, eager to engage with their communities, inclined to critical thinking and prepared to lead lives of consequence.
Wilderness Canoe Company Established in 1994 to provide a true wilderness experience for adventure-seeking visitors to the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. Located only 5 miles from Natural Bridge State Park and numerous hiking trails in the James River Face Wilderness Area. We are fortunate to have the mighty James River flowing by our headquarters, allowing us to offer kayak, canoe, raft and river tube trips on one of the most scenic and remote sections of the upper James River.
Established in 1994 to provide a true wilderness experience for adventure-seeking visitors to the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia. Located only 5 miles from Natural Bridge State Park and numerous hiking trails in the James River Face Wilderness Area.
We are fortunate to have the mighty James River flowing by our headquarters, allowing us to offer kayak, canoe, raft and river tube trips on one of the most scenic and remote sections of the upper James River.