Goshen WMA

The Goshen Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is located in northern Rockbridge County. This WMA is sandwiched between Route 39, to the north, where it passes through the Goshen Pass and Interstate 64 to the south. Route 39 and the Goshen Pass separate this WMA with the neighboring Little North Mountain WMA. For many years, the Goshen and Little North Mountain WMAs were combined into one complex, but for several reasons these areas are now separated into two distinct WMAs. This rugged Goshen WMA lies within a group of four, somewhat parallel mountain ridges: Bratton’s, The Loope, Forge, and Hogback. Like many mountainous WMAs, the Goshen offers challenging hunting, wildlife viewing, and other outdoor recreational opportunities in a beautiful setting.

Goshen WMA is 16,157 acres in size and is characterized by several high, rugged mountains running somewhat parallel with secondary/spur ridges running off the mountain sides. Slopes are steep with numerous deep hollows/valleys with moderate topography found at lower elevations. Elevations range from 1,400 to 3,300 feet with most of the mountain and high ridge tops in the 2,800-to-3,000-foot range. Several long, deep valleys are present that are associated with three prominent watersheds forming the headwaters of Gochenour Branch, Guys Run, and Laurel Run.

The WMA is primarily forested; comprised of mixed hardwoods dominated by oaks and hickories. Other forests found on the area include mixed hardwood and pine. Stands of table mountain and pitch pine with a dense mountain laurel understories can be found along a few of the mountain tops and spur ridges. A few rugged, rocky outcrops can be found on a few of the highest peaks as well. An old sand mine is located on the northwestern portion of the WMA where a series of old fields and young forest habitats predominate across several hundred acres. A special high-elevation field complex called the Meadow Ground is found near the southwestern boundary of the WMA. This 55-acre open area supports a rich diversity of native grasses and broad-leaved plants that is managed to perpetuate a mountain grassland ecosystem to benefit a wide array of wildlife. Two large powerline rights-of-ways cross through the WMA, providing linear corridors of open, grass and broad-leaved plant dominated habitats.

Hunting

Sunday Hunting Opportunities on Public Lands in Virginia »

The Goshen WMA offers hunters opportunities to hunt deer, bear, turkey, grouse and squirrels in a rugged mountain setting. Some rabbit hunting is possible but limited to the open lands described above. Several seasonal access roads allow for deeper vehicle access into the WMA during hunting seasons while numerous old logging roads provide many miles of foot access.

Fishing

The Maury River in the Goshen Pass, on the northern boundary of the WMA, is included in DWR’s “put-n-take” trout program providing excellent trout fishing during certain times of the year. Additional fish species to consider within the Maury River are smallmouth and rock bass.

Other Activities

The large and extensive forests on the Goshen WMA, open areas that are found in a few areas that serve an important role for wildlife, and several large wildfires that occurred on the WMA over the last 20 years add to the ecological diversity of this area. These aspects provide the wildlife viewer, naturalist, and nature photographer exciting opportunities to observe a diversity of wildlife, habitats, mountain views, and wildflowers. The WMA is never closed to public use, so viewers are welcome any time of the day, night, and year. Primitive, dispersed camping is allowed on the WMA; however, users must register with DWR prior to camping. Nearby are thousands of acres of the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest owned and managed by the U.S. Forest Service’s Glenwood-Pedlar Ranger District.

Facilities

Seasonally opened access roads, parking areas with informational kiosks, and old logging roads are located throughout the area to accommodate users. There is one parking area along Rt. 39 that serves as access to the Maury River for angling and wildlife viewing. Parking areas beyond gates are available seasonally when gates are open during hunting seasons.

Directions

Goshen WMA is located 14 miles northwest of Lexington and four miles southeast of Goshen on State Route 39, which is the best access to the area in terms of parking and access roads. The Gochenour Hunter Access Road provides access by foot and seasonally by vehicle to the western portion of the WMA. It can be reached by taking State Route 780 (Brattons Run Road) 4.5 miles south of Rt.39. See the map for further details.

Images by: Meghan Marchetti/DWR