Goshen Pass Natural Area Preserve, Protected natural area in Rockbridge County, Virginia.
Goshen Pass Natural Area Preserve is a protected area covering 936 acres with a 3.7-mile gorge running along the Maury River, marked by steep cliffs and thick forests. The landscape sits at an elevation of 1,500 feet and centers on the river valley that cuts through the terrain.
Virginia first purchased this land in 1954, making it the oldest state-managed natural area in the commonwealth. Official designation as a preserve came in 2001 to ensure ongoing protection of the site.
The preserve serves as a place where visitors learn about the natural world through partnerships with local groups and educational initiatives. These efforts help people understand how the landscape shapes the region's character and why it matters to protect such areas.
Visitors aged 17 and older need a Wildlife Management Area Access Permit to use parking facilities, which can be obtained through the state's Department of Wildlife Resources. It is helpful to check requirements in advance, as regulations may change seasonally.
The area contains rare plant communities including freshwater cordgrass, a species found in few locations across the region. It also provides critical habitat for the Appalachian jewelwing damselfly, a dragonfly species that is seldom spotted in Virginia.
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