7 Summer Adventures in Your Backyard

There’s something about the heat that makes us to stay indoors during the summer. However, the Roanoke Region offers a variety of outdoor escapades that are worth exploring on your sunny days off.

The best part? They’re all nearby and easily accessible.

Visit the Best Lake in Virginia

Smith Mountain Lake, which was named Best Lake in Virginia by MSN Travel, offers a wide variety of fun water- and land-based activities. Located less than an hour away from Roanoke, SML is the perfect day trip for friends and family. For a fun day on the lake, there are several marinas located along the shores that rent paddleboards, kayaks, boats, tubes, jet skis, water skis, wakeboards, and more. If a day on the water is not your thing, you can stop by Smith Mountain Lake State Park in Huddleston for a variety of hikes or to lay on the beach.

• How to get there: Public boating access; Smith Mountain Lake State Park and Smith Mountain Lake Community Park are open sun up to sundown
• Cost: Smith Mountain Lake State Park: Fees for access, parking, and activities (BRING CASH); Smith Mountain Lake Community Park offers free parking, $2 per person beach fee

Explore Carvins Cove

Carvins Cove is an ideal outdoor adventure destination, as it contains an abundance of things to do. From kayaking to paddleboarding to hiking and mountain biking, there’s something for every nature lover.

• How to get there: 9644 Reservoir Road, Roanoke
• Cost: $2 day pass available at one of three entrances, or $20 annual pass (CASH ONLY)

Get on the Greenway

The Roanoke Valley Greenway, which weaves through downtown Roanoke, and into Roanoke County and Vinton in one direction and to Salem in another, provides an easy walk, run, or bike ride alongside the Roanoke River. Want to try something really different? Rent a big wheel from UnderDog Bikes.

• How to get there: The greenways are accessible via parks and there are multiple places that offer public parking
• Cost: Free

Relax in an ENO Hammock

An ENO is a brand of hammock that is easy to take with you and hang up anywhere, and it has become increasingly popular among younger generations and adventurers. Living in a place with so many nature trails, it’s a lot fun to string up an ENO in between two trees with a nice overlook off the Parkway, or close to the Roanoke River alongside the Greenway. Valhalla offers some spectacular views as well.

• How to get there: You can hang an ENO practically anywhere!
• Cost: Free (once you have a hammock; prices start at $59.95)

Explore the Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a beautiful, scenic drive or bike ride for a gorgeous day. You can cruise for miles with your windows down, stopping at scenic overlooks or finding a trail to hike.

• How to get there: There are multiple entry points along the parkway
• Cost: Free

Peruse Your Local Farmers Market

Fresh, homegrown fruit and vegetables in the summer make the season delicious. Farmers markets offer not only sweet, locally-grown treats, but a fun experience. Taste homemade salsa and other free samples, and even enjoy live music.

• How to get there: Pick a farmers market closest to you
• Cost: Free, plus price of purchases

Go Tubing

On a hot summer day, drifting downstream in a tube is both relaxing and refreshing – not to mention lots of fun! Roanoke Mountain Adventures and Twin River Outfitters are just two outfitters that will send you floating off on the river in no time.

• How to get there: See our list of tubing trips for directions
• Cost: Rent a tube from Roanoke Mountain Adventures or Twin River Outfitters

Guest post by Kate Jewusiak. Jewusiak is a summer intern for the Roanoke Regional Partnership. She is a mass communication student at the Burton Center for Arts and Technology and will be a senior at Hidden Valley High School in the fall.