BEN SALEM WAYSIDE

About Ben Salem Wayside

Tucked along Route 60 in the Shenandoah Valley foothills of Virginia, Ben Salem Wayside is the kind of roadside discovery that rewards travelers who know where to look. It's a modest pull-off — no fanfare, no entrance gate — but what waits on the other side of the parking area is the cool, clear current of the Maury River sliding through a landscape framed by the Blue Ridge Mountains. For locals and road-trippers alike, it's become a beloved warm-weather ritual: spread a blanket at a picnic table, kick off your shoes, and wade into water that feels like nature's own air conditioning.

The Setting

The Maury River moves through this stretch with a quiet confidence, its water catching the light in flickers of green and silver. Sycamores and hardwoods lean over the banks, casting dappled shade across the gravel shoreline. Behind you, the ridgelines of the Blue Ridge roll upward in layered blues and greens — the kind of view that makes you forget you pulled off a highway to get here. In spring, the surrounding woodland blushes with blooms and birdsong. By fall, those same trees ignite in amber and crimson, turning a simple picnic stop into something genuinely spectacular. Wildlife sightings — herons stalking the shallows, kingfishers darting overhead — are common enough to keep your eyes moving.

Swimming the Maury

Swimming here is unofficial, which is part of its charm. There's no roped-off area, no lifeguard stand, no whistle. What you get instead is the river itself on its own terms. The Maury runs clear and cool, typical of a Virginia mountain river fed by upland tributaries, and the rocky bottom gives it that characteristic crystalline quality where you can watch your feet through a foot of water. Depth varies with the season and rainfall — peak summer usually brings lower, calmer flows that are ideal for wading and casual swimming, while spring runoff can push the current faster and deeper. Use your own judgment about conditions, wade in gradually, and keep a close eye on young swimmers. No safety staff are present on site.

Practical Visit Information

Access couldn't be simpler: the wayside sits directly off Route 60, requiring no hiking and no special gear beyond what you'd pack for any river day. Admission is free. The site offers picnic tables for spreading out a proper lunch, and pit toilets are on-site — though fair warning, reviews of the facilities range from functional to forgettable, so plan accordingly. There's no concession stand, no rentals, and no frills. Bring your own food, water, sun protection, and anything else you need for a comfortable afternoon. Dogs are a common sight here; just keep them leashed and clean up after them.

Plan Your Visit

Ben Salem Wayside sits conveniently between two of the Shenandoah Valley's most rewarding small towns. Buena Vista lies just a few miles to the east, offering local dining and the green lawns of Glen Maury Park if you'd like a place to camp after your swim. Lexington, a short drive to the west, is rich with history, walkable streets, and restaurants worth lingering over. If you need a campsite with more amenities, Lake Robertson County Park, west of Lexington, is the nearest full-service option. Summer weekends draw a crowd, so aim for a weekday morning in June or July to have the riverbank closer to yourself.