Lexington – Rockbridge County

With over 58,000 acres of National Forest and over 20,000 acres of state-managed land, Lexington, Buena Vista and the Rockbridge County area offers numerous outdoor recreational activities and natural beauty.

The mighty James and Maury rivers provide a wide variety of water sports and fishing. Both offer public access points for canoes and boats, and the chance to catch citation smallmouth. Cold-water species rainbow and brook trout are never too far away to challenge anglers. Buffalo is a trophy trout stream within 10 minutes of Lexington, or for a more remote experience, hike 2.3 miles through game abundant National Forest to a brook trout lake. Boulder strewn and fast flowing, the Maury River and Mill Creek are put-n-take streams stocked 8 times yearly by the state of Virginia, and Irish Creek and South River are stocked 5 times.

Warm-water species such as largemouth and smallmouth bass, rock bass, catfish, sunfish and other panfish may be found in the Maury and James rivers, as well as Lake Robertson, a 30-acre impoundment which has yielded largemouths over 10 pounds. Boat rental and camping are available, and is located minutes from North Mountain with amazing views of Rockbridge County from rock outcroppings.