Goshen is a small mountain town near outdoor recreation
Goshen is a secluded small town in Virginia’s Allegheny Mountains that offers plenty of ways to enjoy the outdoors. “It’s extremely rural,” says Tony Girard, a Realtor with Howard Hanna Real Estate Services who’s sold homes in the area for 17 years. “There are definitely lots of outdoor activities. Being part of nature is the big draw.” The Goshen Pass Natural Area Preserve is a popular spot for hiking and fishing, and the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests are nearby. The town has a few amenities, like a library, a volunteer fire department and a country store, but for more comprehensive shopping and other amenities, Lexington is 25 miles away.
Nature preserves, hunting areas and national forests nearby
The over 900-acre Goshen Pass Natural Area Preserve is a popular place to enjoy the area’s natural beauty. “The Maury River runs through there, so there’s lots of fly fishing and kayaking,” Girard says. A 3-mile hike here crosses the river on a swinging bridge and leads to views of the surrounding mountains and river below. Hunters can head to Goshen Wildlife Management Area and the Little North Mountain WMA to seek out deer, bears and turkeys. The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests have hiking and camping. Lake Merriweather is a private lake owned by the Boy Scouts of America; the organization’s Goshen Scout Reservation hosts summer camps.
A variety of homes in town and in the forest
Most of Goshen’s ranch-style houses, cabins and manufactured homes are on secluded, forested lots. Houses sit closer together in town, where American Foursquares, Craftsman bungalows and National styles from the early 1900s sit closer together along narrow streets with mountain views. Fixer-uppers range from around $65,000 to $215,000, while move-in-ready homes range from around $170,000 to $370,000. Undeveloped properties under 200 acres range from $80,000 to $330,000, and larger properties can cost more. Some homes here are in high-risk flood areas, and homeowners should check flood maps to assess their risk.
Kids attend public schools that are 30 minutes away
Kids can attend Fairfield Elementary and then go to Maury River Middle; both earn a C-plus from Niche. At the B-rated Rockbridge County High, students can enroll in the engineering and architecture program, where students work with a professional mentor to complete a thesis project. Each school is between 19 and 27 miles away, a drive that typically takes around 30 minutes.
A car-reliant community 30 minutes from Lexington
State Routes 39, 42 and 780 are the main roads through Goshen. These two-lane roads follow the gaps that the area’s rivers and streams have carved into the mountains. Interstate 64 is also nearby, leading west 70 miles to Lewisburg, West Virginia, and 45 miles east to Waynesboro. Houses of worship here include Goshen Baptist Church and Bells Valley Worship Center. Craigsville is about 9 miles from Goshen’s town center. Lexington and Carilion Rockbridge Community Hospital are 25 miles away, a trip that takes about 30 minutes. Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport is a 77-mile trip.
A town center with a few stores, and more options nearby
Goshen’s town center is along Route 39. Goshen Country Store sells sandwiches and snacks, and Dollar General stocks groceries. Mill Creek Produce offers locally grown fruits and vegetables. In nearby Craigsville, diners can get a meal at BG’s Family Restaurant, which serves American comfort food in a casual atmosphere. Lexington has more restaurants and national retailers like Walmart.
Regular community events in town
The Goshen First Aid Crew and Goshen Volunteer Fire Department host most of the town’s yearly events. The First Aid Crew organizes the annual Fall Festival, which has vendors, a chili cook-off and a cornhole tournament. The Fire Department takes the lead on the annual Christmas Parade, which is followed by visits with Santa.
Written By
Annie Franklin
