Virginia | Rockbridge County / Buena Vista–Glasgow

Maury RiverGlen Maury Park to Locher Landing

A source-backed 12-mile Maury River day trip from Glen Maury Park in Buena Vista to Locher Landing in Glasgow. Virginia DWR documents both public endpoints, Class I-II+ rapids, broken-dam hazards, private-bank constraints, and the direct Buena Vista gauge.

Route location

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Plan this route

Distance12 river miles
DifficultyModerate
Typical time6–8+ hours depending on stage
ShuttleCar shuttle
The Maury River cuts through Goshen Pass in Rockbridge County, Virginia.
River contextMaury River at Goshen Pass; same-river context river-level context — not necessarily this exact reach.Photo by Waldo Jaquith via Wikimedia Commons

Need to know

Why this call
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Trip details

Access rules, camping, seasonal conditions and trip length.

Distance, difficulty, rules and camping
DifficultymoderateThe route includes Class I-II+ rapids, swift current around broken concrete dam remains, a long six-plus-hour commitment, private banks, and limited legal exits. It is not a first moving-water trip.
PermitsNone notedNo route-specific permit is published in the DWR float guide. Follow current Virginia boating and PFD law plus all posted park, ramp, parking, fishing-license, and closure rules.
CampingDay tripNo on-route camping is assumed. Reserve the separately managed Blue Hollow primitive campground at nearby Natural Bridge State Park if an overnight basecamp is needed; verify current availability and rules.
SeasonMar-NovFree-flowing conditions vary with rainfall. Check the current Buena Vista stage and trend, recent and forecast rain, cold-water conditions, daylight, debris, and access notices immediately before launch.

Tomorrow and the weekend

Forecasts can change. Check current conditions again before leaving.

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Plan your trip

Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.

Access and shuttle

A long day float with a direct gauge, developed public endpoints, three broken-dam hazard areas, private banks, and nearby reservation-based primitive camping.

Access map

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Start

Put-in

Glen Maury Park public river access

Launch at Glen Maury Park on river right upstream of the Route 745 bridge and take out at Locher Landing on river right just downstream of Route 130, as depicted by Virginia DWR.

Finish

Take-out

Locher Landing public boat ramp

Miller’s Dam is a documented intermediate access with a steep undeveloped bank and parking for only about six to eight vehicles; do not rely on it as an unplanned easy bailout.

Road shuttle

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Choose your launch and take-out

This changes launch and take-out logistics, not today's river score.

On-water distance12.0 miMixed access
On-water time6–8+ hours depending on stageFull route option
ShuttleCar shuttleChoose a shorter in/out pair for a shorter day.

Glen Maury Park public river access to Locher Landing public boat ramp is about 12.0 mi. Use the planner to compare shorter access pairs.

Access notes and hazards

Access caveats

  • Launch at Glen Maury Park on river right upstream of the Route 745 bridge and take out at Locher Landing on river right just downstream of Route 130, as depicted by Virginia DWR.
  • Miller’s Dam is a documented intermediate access with a steep undeveloped bank and parking for only about six to eight vehicles; do not rely on it as an unplanned easy bailout.
  • Except for depicted public accesses, both banks are private above the average high-water mark. Do not land, scout, park, or camp on private property without permission.

Watch for

  • USGS 02024000 below 2.0 ft, rising rapidly, unavailable, or inconsistent with the launch visual
  • Edmondson’s Dam, Goose Neck Dam, and Devil’s Step Dam concrete remains and swift currents
  • cold water, strainers or fresh debris, thunderstorms, high water, daylight loss, and a failed shuttle

Choose your trip times

No account needed. Check the selected access points above, then choose both dates and times. For an overnight paddle, set take-out to the following date.

Trip schedule

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Water levels, gauge history, and hourly forecast

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Water-level history and forecastDetailed view

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Why this score

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Data status
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Data reliability: checking

This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.

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Water levels, published guidance and update times

These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.

Gauge siteMaury River near Buena Vista, VA
Gauge heightChecking
DischargeChecking
24h trendChecking
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Rain last 24hChecking
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Preferred rangeNeeds paddler reports
Known low-water floor2.00 ft
High thresholdWater-level guidance unavailable
Evidence strength behind the rangeOfficial data source
Gauge observedChecking
Paddle Today updatedChecking
Main source behind this scoreVirginia DWR Maury River Float Guide: difficult to navigate below 2.0 ft at Buena Vista
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What to know before you go

These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.

  • Named public corridorGlen Maury Park to Locher Landing; 12 miles; 6+ hours

    Virginia DWR publishes the exact trip, endpoint descriptions, distance, coordinates, and expected duration.

    Source

  • Direct live gauge and thresholdUSGS 02024000; difficult to navigate below 2.0 ft

    DWR ties its official low-water rule directly to the Buena Vista gauge; USGS supplies continuous discharge and gage-height telemetry.

    Source

  • Access and safetyPublic endpoints, Class I-II+ rapids, broken dams, and private-bank rules

    The DWR guide requires hazard scouting, warns about high and cold water, and limits bank access to depicted public sites unless permission is obtained.

    Source

  • Camping logisticsNearby Blue Hollow primitive campground by reservation

    Virginia State Parks documents a year-round primitive campground at Natural Bridge; it is a separate basecamp, not on-route camping.

    Source

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Maury River paddling FAQ

What water level is best for the Glen Maury Park to Locher Landing route on the Maury River?

Paddle Today watches Maury River near Buena Vista, VA and uses 2.00 ft as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.

Where does the Glen Maury Park to Locher Landing route on the Maury River start and end?

This route starts at Glen Maury Park public river access and ends at Locher Landing public boat ramp, 12 river miles on the water.

Is the Glen Maury Park to Locher Landing route on the Maury River suitable for beginners?

This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.

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