At Glen Maury Park, the river meets the trails: The park is located on the Maury River and is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains. More than eight miles of hiking and biking trails, direct river access for fishing, boating and water sports, as well as historic sites and recurring events offer different ways to plan a trip to Buena Vista. To start planning, you can decide whether you’d rather spend time outdoors, explore architectural history or plan your visit around an event.
Park, River and Trails
Glen Maury Park offers several options. Its trail network covers more than eight miles for hiking and biking. At the Maury River, the park offers direct access for fishing, boating and water sports; kayaks, tubes and bicycles are available to rent there. This gives you a choice between trails on land and activities on the river.
The Glen Maury Park Pool is an Olympic-size swimming facility. Check the current seasonal hours before visiting. Another trail option is the Chessie Nature Trail, also called the Chessie Trail, which runs for seven miles alongside the Maury River from East Lexington to Buena Vista. This gives you a choice between the park’s network of hiking and biking trails and the Chessie Trail’s seven-mile route between named endpoints. The options offer different experiences: trails within the park or a route between East Lexington and Buena Vista.
History and Architecture
Buena Vista’s Downtown Historic District was established in 1889 at the junction of two railroad lines. The Old Courthouse was built in 1890 as the headquarters of the land company that developed Buena Vista. Built in the Second Empire style, it features a mansard roof and a tower. Here, you can connect the building’s historic function with its specific architectural features.
Another historical landmark is Paxton House in Glen Maury Park: Elisha Paxton built it as a residence between 1828 and 1831. The residence built between 1828 and 1831, the establishment of the Historic District in 1889 and the Old Courthouse, built in 1890, represent different periods in Buena Vista’s history. The buildings and the park are distinct themes to consider when planning your trip.
Events Throughout the Year
Mountain Day is an annual street festival in Buena Vista. It takes place on the second Saturday in October and focuses on lost arts. The Maury River Fiddlers Convention is a recurring event at Glen Maury Park on the second weekend in June. The two events offer different dates to plan around: the second weekend in June or the second Saturday in October.
The Buena Vista Visitors Center may also be useful for finding your way around: Travelers passing through can get tips on lesser-known local destinations. This can expand your plans beyond the park, river and historic buildings to include other local discoveries.
Choose a Vacation Rental That Suits Your Trip
When searching for a vacation rental, use the reason for your trip as your first filter: park trails and river activities, architectural history or one of the recurring festivals offer different focuses. Then compare individual listings with your plans and check their location in relation to the places you intend to visit.
Discover more destinations: Natural Bridge, Raphine.
For the broader travel overview: Rockbridge County.
