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The Roanoke Region in Virginia's Blue Ridge has another reason to celebrate - and you have another reason to plan your next mountain getaway.
Roanoke, Virginia, is the winner of the Large Towns category in the 2026 Blue Ridge Outdoors Top Adventure Towns contest! Readers voted for this recognition, celebrating a destination where mountain trails, river adventures, local restaurants, and live music can all fit into the same weekend.
To everyone who voted, shared the contest, and encouraged others to support Roanoke: thank you! Your enthusiasm helps shine a spotlight on the outdoor experiences and community that make the Roanoke Region in Virginia’s Blue Ridge such a special place to visit.
An Award Worth Celebrating
Each year, Blue Ridge Outdoors invites readers to choose their favorite adventure destinations from 100 communities across four categories: tiny, small, medium, and large. Roanoke earned this year’s Large Towns title, with Asheville, North Carolina, and Chattanooga, Tennessee, recognized as runners-up.
The magazine’s feature highlights Roanoke's outdoor recreation, including Mill Mountain Park, the Roanoke Valley Greenways, Carvins Cove, and nearby Appalachian Trail hikes. It also recognizes the restaurants, breweries, and music venues that help round out an adventure-filled visit.
Experience Outdoor Adventures in the Roanoke Region
Ready to see what inspired the votes? Start with these places to get outside in Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
Take in the Views at Mill Mountain Park
Mill Mountain Park brings together two Roanoke favorites: mountain recreation and the Roanoke Star. Explore wooded trails on foot or by mountain bike, then enjoy the views from the overlooks. Bring a picnic and leave yourself time to appreciate the mountains surrounding the city.
Find Your Ride at Carvins Cove
For mountain bikers, Carvins Cove Natural Reserve offers an extensive trail network with plenty of reasons to return. Plan a ride through the forest, explore on foot, or enjoy time on the reservoir by kayak. With trails and water recreation in one setting, the Cove offers several ways to build an outdoor day around your interests.
Slow Down on the Roanoke Valley Greenways
Adventure can be a leisurely bike ride or a walk beside the river. The Roanoke Valley Greenways offer opportunities to walk, run, and cycle, with public art and local businesses along portions of the network. Make time for a coffee stop or a meal as you explore the neighborhoods along your route.
Make Time for Explore Park
At Explore Park in Roanoke County, hiking trails, woodlands, and river frontage invite you to spend more time outside. Extend the experience with an overnight stay in a cabin, yurt, or campsite, or stop at Twin Creeks Brewpub during your visit.
Thank You to Our Outdoor Community
This recognition also celebrates the people behind the experiences: the volunteers who care for trails, the organizations that champion outdoor recreation, the park teams who maintain places to explore, and the businesses that welcome visitors.
Thank you for helping people connect with the outdoors—and with one another. That sense of connection is essential to the experience in Virginia’s Blue Ridge.
Plan Your Metro Mountain Adventure
Come for a mountain biking weekend, a family getaway, or a few days of fresh air and good food. Build your itinerary around an ambitious trail outing or leave room for a relaxed afternoon beside the river.
That’s the appeal of a Metro Mountain getaway: you can spend time in the mountains and still make dinner and a show part of the plan.
Start with our guide to outdoor adventures in Roanoke and discover your own reasons to love this award-winning adventure town.
