The Best Outdoor Activities Near W&L

The Best Outdoor Activities Near W&L

Lexington and its surrounding environment offer a treasure trove of hikes, sites,

(View from Devil’s Marbleyard, facing southwest. | SOURCE: The Spectator)

Nestled between the Blue Ridge and Appalachian Mountains, in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, Lexington, Virginia, offers multiple exciting trails, stunning views, and adventures awaiting exploration. With tons of outdoor options to choose from, narrowing them down into a short list is difficult (which is why you should try as many as you can!). 

Even Washington and Lee’s campus, as urbanized as it is for such a rural region, has a quaint trail network in its back campus. Nonetheless, below are some outdoor activities that are favorites of W&L students when they venture beyond campus. 

Devil’s Marbleyard

About a 30-minute drive from campus, Devil’s Marbleyard has hundreds of boulders on an exposed rock face, sporting beautiful views, especially during sunset in the fall. Part of the James River Face Wilderness, a subsection of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Devil’s Marbleyard is one of a kind. Hike through the woods along the Belfast Trail (marked by blue blazes) for a mile until you reach the rock outcrop. There, explorers can jump from rock to rock as they continue making their way towards the peak. This hike suits a variety of hikers, as more experienced, daring explorers can scramble up the rock slide. In contrast, more relaxed or cautious hikers keep pace on the trail that parallels Devil’s Marbleyard. The view from the rocks is magnificent and improves the further up you go, and since this is an out-and-back trail, you can easily turn back anytime. Keep in mind that the rocks are typically in full sun, so pack sunscreen and water.

House Mountain
Only 15 minutes away, House Mountain is one of the most popular hiking destinations for W&L students. Weekends are generally the best time for this hike, as, depending on the route you choose, you’ll be hiking four to eight miles, anywhere from about two and a half hours to an entire afternoon. House Mountain has two peaks, Big House and Little House. The saddle in between these two peaks is the perfect spot for a picnic or even to camp. Hikers beware: this is a strenuous hike, and while climbing to either peak, you will experience some inclines as steep as 45 degrees. Once you reach the top, however, you’ll be able to see for miles.

Natural Bridge State Park
During your time in Lexington, you must visit Natural Bridge State Park. The former property of Thomas Jefferson, the 200-foot-high, nearly 100-foot-long natural rock bridge is the source of Rockbridge County’s name. For just $9, you can join the multiple presidents and other famous American leaders who have visited the area. Visitors have access to numerous hiking trails, rivers, waterfalls, and a small cave along the path. The main trail is paved, allowing easy access for grandparents or young children as it follows Cedar Creek. With ten hiking trails, Natural Bridge offers a variety of adventures for varying skill levels. There’s even a disc golf course available along the Thistle Ridge trail (one of only a few in this area, another being on W&L’s back campus). Natural Bridge was designated as an International Dark Sky Park in 2021, which means the stars are unusually visible on nights when the park is open late. In short, it is worth the trip, day or night.

Panther Falls
On hot days, Panther Falls is the place to be. A 30-minute drive and a half-mile hike will expose visitors to the 10-foot falls. There are also swimming holes for visitors to cool off in and jump into. For a more relaxing trip, bring a good book to read as you sunbathe on the nearby rocks. Since the trail crosses several streams, it may be muddy, especially in spring, so plan accordingly. Additionally, since this is one of the most popular swimming holes in the area, the parking lot can fill up quickly, so weekday afternoons are generally the best times to go.

(Color-coded map of the outdoor activities and W&L’s campus. | SOURCE: Google Maps / The Spectator)

Appalachian Trail
If you want an added challenge, backpacking may be your next adventure. The Appalachian Trail crosses right through W&L’s area of Virginia. Your best place to park and access it may be on U.S. Route 501, past Glasgow on the James River. Do not worry if you lack the proper supplies for backpacking: W&L’s Outing Club permits members to borrow necessary materials for their backpacking adventures (something that students who participated in the Appalachian Adventure pre-orientation trip know personally).

Blue Ridge Parkway
The winding views along the Blue Ridge Parkway are the perfect activity for a fall day. With 469 miles of mountain views and many scenic pull-offs, you could spend all afternoon gazing over the valley or just go for a quick drive to get some fresh air. The parkway connects Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but many students choose to hop in the car and do a short drive in Rockbridge County rather than driving the entire route. There are also several pull-offs suitable for a picnic or hike through the mountains. Make sure to see it at sunset!

Hull’s Drive In
If you or a friend has a car on campus, Hull’s promises a fun night. The classic drive-in movie theater was built in 1950 and has been welcoming the Lexington community ever since. Tickets are $12, but depending on the week, they may include a double feature. Hull’s offers a mix of new and old movies for your enjoyment, along with a concession stand for any movie snacks you may need. Their website keeps a running list of upcoming films, so be sure to check it out and find the perfect fit for you. 

Bread Day at Season’s Yield Farm
Every other Saturday, Season’s Yield Farm — the same group as the coffee shop in Lexington and Wildberry Market — invites students and townspeople to their family farm for pastries, sourdough bread, coffee, music, and more. The farm is about 20 minutes away in neighboring Raphine, Virginia, and open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Depending on the week, “Bread Day,” as students refer to it, also offers wood-fired pizza, barbecue, or soup. Local vendors will also often set up at a farmers' market.

For more information on the above trails, or to plan your own adventure, we recommend using AllTrails, or, specifically for the area, Rockbridge Outdoors.