Kayak, tube, swim, and fish (stocked multiple times per year) while viewing beautiful scenery and wildlife, and enjoy public access to the river and hiking trails in Goshen Pass. Experiences for all ages and all skill levels available, from wading in shallow waters, to paddle boarding in still waters, and a variety of Class I-IV rapids.

Small mountain streams, many of which hold native brook trout join to form the Calfpasture River which merges with the Little Calfpasture River just west of Goshen Pass. There the Maury River is born. It enters the famous Goshen Pass and begins a turbulent run downstream into the valley, continuing toward Lexington at a fast pace, until it enters the James River at Glasgow. A 20-foot tall dam near Buena Vista impounds the fast water forming a stretch of calm water upstream great for paddle boarding.

The Maury River gets a lot of attention from whitewater canoeists and kayakers, primarily because of the Goshen Pass wild water. Most of this kind of river recreational use occurs during the colder months when the river is high. While there is challenging whitewater such as Devil’s Kitchen and other rapids too difficult for the novice to tackle, the river offers plenty of Class I and II water that the average canoeist or kayaker can handle. During the dry months of summer the river in this section may be too low to canoe or even use a kayak.

Thanks to the Goshen-Little North Mountain Wildlife Management Area, there is public access to the river through most of Goshen Pass via Rt. 39. As the Maury flows into Lexington, keep in mind that most of it flows through private land. Leaving the river to go ashore on private property is trespassing unless you have prior approval.

From the Lexington Visitor Center, drive west on Washington Street to a right onto Main Street (US-11 Business). Continue driving north on US-11 for approximately two miles. Turn left onto VA-39 W/ Maury River Road. After 13.6 miles, you'll arrive at the VDOT Goshen Wayside. Proceed another 1.6 miles to the Goshen WMA gravel lot and swinging bridge.

View the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources website for the Maury River Float Guide and additional information about the Maury River including history on the river's name, fishing, regulations, facilities, maps, DWR Verona office, and more.

Download Maps:
Full Map
Upper Section Detail
Middle Section Detail
Lower Section Detail

River Conditions
Check the NOAA River Gauge of the Maury River in Buena Vista.

• Goshen Pass is a popular destination for swimming, sightseeing, and exploring. The VDOT Goshen Wayside offers easy public access to the Maury River with parking, picnic tables, and covered pavilion.
  
• Some fishing opportunities include:
  – Goshen Pass: Category A—stocked with Trout once in October, November-December, January-February AND stocked twice monthly in March, April, and May.
  –Guy's Run—Wild Trout Stream
  –Glen Maury Park–Locher Landing—12 mile run ideal for bass and sunfish
• Fishing License Information. Every person who is required to have a license to fish, hunt, and/or trap must carry such license with them.

• There are picnic areas at Goshen Pass. Source your lunch locally with freshly prepared to-go options at Blue Sky Bakery in Lexington or visit BG’s 2 in Goshen for drinks, snacks, sandwiches/burgers, hardware items, and gasoline.