Maury Recreation Area

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Maury Recreation Area is a beautiful park located in Rockbridge County, Virginia.


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Summary

It is a popular destination for those who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, camping, and picnicking. The park offers a variety of scenic trails, including the Maury River Trail, which follows the river for almost two miles and offers views of the surrounding mountains.

One of the main attractions of the park is the Maury River, which provides excellent opportunities for fishing and swimming. The river is known for its large population of smallmouth bass and is a popular destination for anglers.

Other points of interest in Maury Recreation Area include the historic Maury Cemetery, which dates back to the early 1800s, and the Natural Bridge, which is located just a few miles away. The Natural Bridge is a stunning geological formation that has been attracting visitors for centuries.

Interesting facts about the park include its rich history, which includes a Civil War battle that took place on the grounds. The park was also once home to a popular resort, which attracted visitors from all over the country.

The best time of year to visit Maury Recreation Area is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its peak. Summer can be hot and humid, while winter can be cold and snowy.

Overall, Maury Recreation Area is a wonderful destination for anyone who enjoys the great outdoors. With its beautiful scenery, rich history, and abundance of recreational opportunities, it is definitely worth a visit.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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