Outdoor Activities Around the Valley

Hiking | Fishing | Biking | Hunting | Boating
Shooting | Snow sports | Bird Watching

When the Indiana family hiking the Appalachian Trail paused to savor the God-like views from McAfee Knob in Roanoke County, the dad exclaimed: "This is it! This is the best we've seen on the trail since we left Georgia."

"This is the best" are words that might also be used to describe boating on Smith Mountain Lake, or pleasure driving on the Blue Ridge Parkway, or mountain biking in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, or fishing for 5-pound small mouth bass on the James River.

The mountains and valleys that fold off into the horizon in every direction from Roanoke offer a rich diversity of high-quality outdoor recreation. Here's a look at some of the attractions.

Hiking

The Appalachian Trail, that most famous footpath in the country, traverses the northern end of the Roanoke Valley on its 2,000-plus-mile Maine to Georgia journey. It offers quick access to everything from an easy afternoon hike to journeys that can last six months.

One 28-mile stretch through Roanoke and Botetourt counties contains Dragon's Tooth, McAfee Knob, Tinker Cliffs and Hay Rock, all major attractions of this national scenic trail. McAfee Knob, which offers spectacular views all the way into Roanoke is one of the most photographed spots of the entire trail.

A favorite jumping-off-spot for hikers is atop Catawba Mountain, where you can leave your vehicle in a national park parking lot along Virginia 311 north of Roanoke and hike north on the trail about 3 miles to McAfee Knob. This area gets heavy use, so don't expect to have it to yourself, except maybe on a midweek winter day.

Most hikers return to the parking lot (allow about a half day for a round trip), but for the strong and experienced there is the opportunity to continue north for a total of 20 miles, and reach U.S. 220 at Daleville.

The Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club sponsors hikes nearly every weekend throughout the year. Guests are welcomed and are asked to share a modest fee for car pooling.

A detailed map of the trail is available from the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests headquarters at 5162 Valleypointe Parkway. Ask for the Glenwood-New Castle District map of the AT.

The Blue Ridge Parkway passes through the Roanoke Valley on its way from the Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. There are a number of trails along the way, including a scenic climb to Sharp Top and a steep descent to Apple Orchard Falls, both in the Peaks of Otter area of Bedford County.

Information on Blue Ridge Parkway hiking and other activities also is available from a ranger station just north of Vinton at milepost 112.

Fishing

Urban trout fishing is available in the Roanoke River, Tinker Creek and Glade Creek, which are stocked by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries except during the summer months. The trout season is open year round.

Other nearby state-stocked stocked streams popular with fishermen include Jennings Creek in Botetourt County, Potts Creek in Craig County, Little River in Floyd County, South Fork of the Roanoke River in Montgomery County and Smith River in Henry County.

Nearby warm water streams and lakes provide fishing for species such as black bass, sunfish and striped bass. Smith Mountain Lake is the state's top spot to land a trophy striped bass, with catches above 30 pounds a reality.

The James River, to the east of Roanoke, and the New River, to the west, are ideal for smallmouth bass and provide the best opportunity in the state for catching a muskie. The rivers are unmatched for float fishing in canoes or johnboats.

Fishermen ages 16 through 64 must have a state fishing license, valid Jan. 1 through Dec. 31. When you fish a trout stream during the periods they are being stocked, you also must have a trout license. On national forest streams, a national forest stamp is required of fishermen ages 16 through 64. Older fishermen must have an annual fishing license.

Orvis, in Roanoke, offers information on fly-fishing and schedules fly-fishing schools, some for women only.

Biking

The Roanoke Valley offers numerous opportunities for biking, including organized rides most weekends by the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club.

Hunting

The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests afford excellent deer and turkey hunting, along with decent action for species such as grouse, squirrel and bear.

Maps are available for a modest fee from the forest headquarters, 5162 Valleypointe Parkway.

Still another public hunting spot is the Haven Wildlife Management Area in Roanoke County. This mountainous, mostly walk-in terrain is reached along Bradshaw Road and off Wildwood Road (Virginia 619). It is managed by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

A hunting license is required of everyone seeking game in Virginia, with the exception of landowners and their family members hunting on their own property. Hunters age 12 to 15 must complete a safety course before purchasing a license. Those under 12 must be accompanied by a licensed adult.

Hunters seeking deer, bear and turkey must have a big-game license in addition to their regular license. Hunters on national forest property must purchase a national forest stamp. The same stamp is good for fishing on the forest.

Hunting licenses are valid July 1 through June 30. Like fishing licenses, which are valid January through June, they may be purchased at most county clerk offices and at numerous tackle and gun shops in the area and Wal-Mart stores. Digests of hunting and fishing laws, including seasons, are available from license agents or they may be ordered from the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Boating

The area's major boating attraction is 20,000-acre Smith Mountain Lake, which offers opportunities for power boating, sailing, water skiing and personal watercraft.

The lake's 500 miles of shoreline contain numerous full-service marinas, where boat sales, repairs, mooring, launching, fuel and rentals are available.

In addition to the marina facilities, there are several state launching ramps on the lake. The nearest to the Roanoke Valley is at Hardy, reached by traveling east from Vinton on Virginia 636.

The open-water areas of the lower section of the lake provide the best opportunities for sailing. There are two major sailing clubs, the Virginia Inland Sailing Association, with facilities on the lower Roanoke River arm of the impoundment, and Blackwater Yacht Racing Association, which operates out of the the Pelican Point Yacht Club.

The Smith Mountain Lake Water Ski Club promotes family and competitive skiing. The organization has a slalom course and ski jump for its members.

The Smith Mountain Lake Chamber of Commerce/Partnership is a source of information - everything from boat rentals to bed and breakfasts - on the lake.

Water sport activities also are available at Claytor Lake, in Pulaski County; Philpott Reservoir, near Bassett and Moomaw Lake, northeast of Covington.

In addition to their fishing opportunities, the James and New rivers provide excellent canoeing. There are numerous public launching sites listed in a tabloid titled Virginia Boating Guide which is free from the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

State boating safety courses are presented at the Safety Council of Southwest Virginia in Roanoke.

Canoe rentals and shuttles are provided on the upper James by the James River Basin Canoe Livery in Lexington. The livery is on U.S. 60, about seven miles west of the Blue Ridge Parkway and 1.5 miles east of I-81 Exit 51.

On the New River, canoes can be rented and shuttles are available from New River Canoe Livery in Pembroke.

The Roanoke Valley Chapter of Float Fishermen of Virginia provides a format for people interested in canoeing and conservation. The club generally meets the last Wednesday of the month at Scooch's Restaurant on Williamson Road. It organizes several floats each year and has its own rafts that are frequently used for white-water adventures on the New River gorge.

Shooting

The largest private shooting organization is the Roanoke Rifle and Revolver Club, which has range facilities and a clubhouse in Franklin County east of Roanoke.

The Ridge Rifle Association has a range near Fincastle and sponsors matches open to the public, along with sighting-in days which are listed on the Outdoor Page.

The Sherwood Archers club maintains target facilities and competitive events for archers and bow hunters on club property in the Hanging Rock area. The facilities include three outdoor ranges and an indoor range.

Snow Sports

Less than a four-hour drive from Roanoke are a dozen skiing resorts. The most popular include Snowshoe-Silver Creek, near Marlinton, W.Va.; Wintergreen, near Waynesboro; The Homestead at Hot Springs; and Winterplace Ski Resort in Flat Top, W.Va.

The Roanoke Ski Club caters to the interests of skiers in the valley, with meetings, socials and organized trips. Watch for announcements of meetings and trips on the Monday Outdoor Page.

Bird Watching

The Roanoke Valley Bird Club holds monthly meetings and sponsors events such as the Christmas Bird Count, hawk watching on the Blue Ridge Parkway and a bluebird house project.

Woodpecker Ridge Nature Center, in Troutville, has become a popular spot for observing birds, butterflies and wildflowers. It is the headquarters for a new butterfly club.

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