The United States Congress designated the James River Face Wilderness (map
) in 1975 and it now has a total of 8,907 acres
All of this wilderness is located in Virginia
and is managed by the Forest Service.
The James River Face Wilderness is bordered by
the Thunder Ridge Wilderness
to the south.
The first designated wilderness in Virginia (1975), James River Face is bounded on the northeast by the James River and on the south by Petites Gap Road (gravel, FS #35). Immediately south of FR #35 lies Thunder Ridge Wilderness. James River Face reaches a high point of 3,073 feet on Highcock Knob near the southern boundary, and a low point of about 650 feet near the river. Vegetation is dominated by a typical Appalachian hardwood forest. The Devil's Marbleyard, a unique quartzite boulder field, lies within this wilderness. James River Face is a Class 1 airshed. The James River Face Wilderness contains about 32 miles of trails. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T., FT #1) meanders through the wilderness for about 11 miles. Trails information is available on National Geographic-Trails Illustrated Map #789 (Lexington-Blue Ridge Mts). James River Face Wilderness is located in Bedford and Rockbridge Counties in west central Virginia. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service as a part of the Glenwood-Pedlar Ranger Districts of the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests.