Roanoke County Parks, Recreation & Tourism
| Type | Land Managers |
|---|---|
| Activities |
|
| Website |
| Geo | |
|---|---|
| Address |
Roanoke,
Virginia
United States
|
| Associated Group |
RCPRT Roanoke County Parks, Recreation & Tourism - Land Managers Admin Group
|
0
Roanoke County Parks, Recreation & Tourism manages an extensive system of parks, trails, greenways, and outdoor recreation facilities throughout Roanoke County, Virginia. The department plays an important role in the region's trail-based recreation economy, providing opportunities for mountain biking, hiking, trail running, cycling, walking, and other outdoor activities. The county's park system includes more than 30 miles of trails for walking, running, and biking, complemented by the broader Roanoke Valley Greenway network.
Trail-based recreation is particularly prominent at Explore Park, the county's premier outdoor recreation destination. Located along the Blue Ridge Parkway and Roanoke River, the park features a substantial network of mountain-bike and hiking trails, including approximately 14 miles of dual-use and purpose-built bike trails. The trail system includes terrain ranging from beginner and intermediate riding to more technical mountain-bike routes, while the Blue Ridge Bike Center provides dedicated skills-development features such as berms, rock rollers, rock gardens, and log features.
The county also manages and supports numerous other trail destinations, including Read Mountain Preserve, Green Hill Park, Catawba Greenway, Mud Lick Greenway, Wolf Creek Greenway, Tinker Creek Greenway, Happy Hollow Gardens Park, and Walrond Park. These facilities provide a range of natural-surface and paved trail experiences, from short local loops and recreational greenways to more challenging mountain terrain.
Roanoke County's trail program is closely connected to the larger Roanoke Valley Greenway initiative, a regional effort involving multiple jurisdictions to create a connected network of bicycle and pedestrian routes. The Roanoke River Greenway is a major component of this system, with the county continuing to develop connections between its parks and neighboring communities.
The department also works with local trail users, advocacy organizations, volunteers, and regional partners to improve trail access and stewardship. At Explore Park, Roanoke County has specifically sought input from local mountain-bike enthusiasts in developing future riding opportunities, including additional flow trails and intermediate skills features. The county's trail investment has helped establish Roanoke County as an important component of Virginia's Blue Ridge mountain-bike destination, which holds an IMBA Silver-Level Ride Center designation.
Through its combination of park management, trail development, greenway planning, outdoor programming, and partnerships, Roanoke County Parks, Recreation & Tourism provides a significant foundation for trail-based recreation in the Roanoke Valley and contributes to the region's reputation as a major destination for mountain biking and outdoor adventure.
Trail-based recreation is particularly prominent at Explore Park, the county's premier outdoor recreation destination. Located along the Blue Ridge Parkway and Roanoke River, the park features a substantial network of mountain-bike and hiking trails, including approximately 14 miles of dual-use and purpose-built bike trails. The trail system includes terrain ranging from beginner and intermediate riding to more technical mountain-bike routes, while the Blue Ridge Bike Center provides dedicated skills-development features such as berms, rock rollers, rock gardens, and log features.
The county also manages and supports numerous other trail destinations, including Read Mountain Preserve, Green Hill Park, Catawba Greenway, Mud Lick Greenway, Wolf Creek Greenway, Tinker Creek Greenway, Happy Hollow Gardens Park, and Walrond Park. These facilities provide a range of natural-surface and paved trail experiences, from short local loops and recreational greenways to more challenging mountain terrain.
Roanoke County's trail program is closely connected to the larger Roanoke Valley Greenway initiative, a regional effort involving multiple jurisdictions to create a connected network of bicycle and pedestrian routes. The Roanoke River Greenway is a major component of this system, with the county continuing to develop connections between its parks and neighboring communities.
The department also works with local trail users, advocacy organizations, volunteers, and regional partners to improve trail access and stewardship. At Explore Park, Roanoke County has specifically sought input from local mountain-bike enthusiasts in developing future riding opportunities, including additional flow trails and intermediate skills features. The county's trail investment has helped establish Roanoke County as an important component of Virginia's Blue Ridge mountain-bike destination, which holds an IMBA Silver-Level Ride Center designation.
Through its combination of park management, trail development, greenway planning, outdoor programming, and partnerships, Roanoke County Parks, Recreation & Tourism provides a significant foundation for trail-based recreation in the Roanoke Valley and contributes to the region's reputation as a major destination for mountain biking and outdoor adventure.
