Summer’s almost over, but there’s still time left to beat the heat. Last month, we hit up St. Mary’s Wilderness, one of our favorite swimming holes featured in last month’s issue. Snakes, river crossings, solitude, crystal clear water. This place has it all!
Here’s a bit more information on St. Mary’s per our July issue:
Eight U.S. presidents have been born in the state of Virginia—including Woodrow Wilson, who hailed from the city of Staunton. The city, which boasts a quaint downtown scene, actually serves as a great basecamp to set out on adventures into the nearby national forest named for our country’s first president, George Washington. That’s where you’ll find St. Marys Falls, where the St. Marys River tumbles into a cozy swim hole, which is surrounded by a series of ledges that, if you’re bold enough to climb up and out onto them, make for decent jumping platforms.
Cliff jump height: 20 feet
Fear factor: 4
Nearby fun: George Washington National Forest, Cave Mountain Lake, Blue Ridge Parkway
