As the spring weather rolls around, Shenandoah Valley and all of its amazing activities come to life. Rockbridge County specifically is a little over 600 square miles with many rivers, forests, mountains, caves, and naturally beautiful locations. All of these elements of the county make it an outdoor playground for anyone who wants to experience it. These are some of the endless opportunities and activities that we would recommend. 

Rockbridge County is full of rivers and streams, the most prominent of these is the Maury river. One of my favorite activities to do on the Maury River is to kayak. Dropping off at Bean’s Bottom and getting off somewhere on the Chessie Trail is hard to beat. If kayaks are not easily accessible to you then a great alternative is tubing or even going for a swim in the river. 

The rivers and streams are not only good for kayaking and tubing, but also serve as an amazing spot for people who fish. The spring waters are full of different species of bass and trout for

everyone. 

Above the rivers and streams of Rockbridge are the Blue Ridge Mountains. These mountains are millions of years old and are a natural wonder for everyone to enjoy. The mountains themselves contain natural wonders such as waterfalls, caves, and other cool rock formations. They also have manmade activities such as hiking trails and roads to explore. 

The natural wonders are often accessible by hikes or roads. Some of my favorite hikes to these natural wonders are Saint Mary’s Falls and Devils Marbleyard. Saint Mary’s is an easier hike along a stream with amazing waterfalls and swimming holes; perfect for a warmer spring day. Devils Marbleyard is a more difficult hike which takes you to the top of a large mountainside of boulders with a stellar view at the top. 

There are also countless caves and caverns in Rockbridge county. There are a reported 180 caves and countless unreported caves, most notable of these is the Caverns at Natural Bridge. These different caves can be found by looking for steam rising out of the ground, looking for karst, and looking for different wildlife and plants like azalea trees.

Caves are often not located on maps and are definitely harder to get to, but once you find one it is such a rewarding experience to explore it. 

These hiking trails and roads also give excellent locations to camp and backpack (camping for multiple days). Some of my favorite spots are at the summit of Mount Pleasant, the summit of Cole Mountain, and the saddle of House Mountain. These spots are super accessible and make for great spots to camp if the weather is on your side. These spots also require minimal gear which makes it great for all levels of experience. 

This spring is a great time to go outside and enjoy the natural wonders that Rockbridge county has to offer.