South River, Virginia
Top Spots in and near South River
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Buchanan, Virginia
Hike Apple Orchard Mountain
4.04 mi / 400 ft gainThe top of Apple Orchard Mountain is easily accessible via the Appalachian Trail. Access the trail at the Sunset Field Overlook at MP 78.4 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The concrete path will end shortly and turn into a blue blazed trail. Follow this for 0.25 miles until it intersects the Appalachia...Read more -
Millboro, Virginia
Hike Blue Suck Falls and the Tuscarora Overlook
3.47.2 mi / 2200 ft gainIn Douthat State Park, park at the Discovery Center/Amphitheater parking lot near the children's fishing area. The Blue Suck Falls trail head will be towards the dam on the left side and is well-marked.Note: A trail map is highly recommended for this trail! It is fairly well-marked with blue blaz...Read more -
Eagle Rock, Virginia
Canoe or Kayak the Upper James River
4.3Put in at the Horseshoe Bend Boat Ramp near Buchanan, VA. The pin on the map will take you right there. Takeout will be at the boat ramp in downtown Buchanan, approximately 9 miles down river. This ramp is located just above the Rt. 11 bridge.Twin River Outfitters uses this ramp also, so there's ...Read more -
James River Heritage Trail, Virginia
Run on the Seven Rails Trail
3 mi / 117 ft gainEasily accessible from the Percival's Island Natural Area parking lot, the James River Heritage Trail and adjoining Seven Rails Trail are an easy escape from downtown Lynchburg. From the parking lot, follow the trail signs toward Percival's Island, which will almost immediately take you across a...Read more -
Buchanan, Virginia
Hike to Fallingwater Cascades
4.5The trailhead for this hike is at the same parking area for the Flat Top Trail. From the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, travel north up the Blue Ridge Parkway for about 3 miles, where you will come to small parking area. It is quite tiny, and probably holds around 10 vehicles, but there was only ...Read more -
Buchanan, Virginia
Hike Flat Top Mountain
4.5From the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center, travel north up the Blue Ridge Parkway for about 3 miles, where you will come to small parking area for the Flat Top Trailhead. The parking area is quite tiny, and probably holds around 10 vehicles, but there was only one other car there when I went. It's p...Read more -
Crozet, Virginia
Hike Turk Mountain
4.02.2 mi / 700 ft gainFrom the parking area at Turk Gap (MP 94.1), cross over the Skyline Drive. The Appalachian Trail (AT) intersects right here, and take the AT south by taking the trail on the left. After 0.2 miles you will turn right off of the AT onto the blue-blazed Turk Mountain Trail. The trail junctions me...Read more -
Bedford, Virginia
Hike the Harkening Hill Loop
3.33.3 mi / 850 ft gainTo get to the trailhead, pull into the Peaks of Otter Visitor Center off of the Blue Ridge Parkway and park there. Proceed to the outdoor amphitheater behind the center. At the rear of the amphitheater there is a large sign showing Harkening Hill and other nearby trails, here the trail begins. Th...Read more -
Bedford, Virginia
Sharp Top Trail
4.72.91 mi / 1296 ft gainOnce thought to be the highest peak in Virginia, this 2.5 hour hike is one that will leave you speechless at the top. Park at the Peaks of Otter Nature Center (which is now closed). The trailhead is located to the right of the building. You will cross over a paved bus road soon after beginning th...Read more -
Grottoes, Virginia
Photograph Moormans River Overlook
5.0Moormans River Overlook is one of the few eastern facing overlooks in Shenandoah National Park’s Southern District, which makes this a prime location for watching the sun rise when in this part of the park. At mile post 92 off of Skyline Drive, Moormans River Overlook offers photographers a 180 ...Read more -
Crozet, Virginia
Hike Moorman's River
4.52.5 miAlong the hike, there are four "official" swimming holes to jump in, but you can make your own at any time. Go in the springtime for a great waterfall at the end the feeds into a swimming hole, and in the fall for a wonderland of foliage. The official name of this hike is Moorman's River, but an...Read more -
Crozet, Virginia
Photograph Charlottesville Reservoir
4.7The reservoir is located in the Piedmont Hills just outside the city of Charlottesville, Virginia. So technically Charlottesville Reservoir is not in Shenandoah National Park, but it is only a few feet outside of the park, and it has an outstanding view of the Blue Ridge Mountains that make up th...Read more -
Eagle Rock, Virginia
Hike Roaring Run Falls
4.72.4 miFrom 615 (Craig Creek rd) you turn on to 621 (Roaring Run rd) and about mile down is a little gravel road on the left that you turn down. Go down this gravel road a little ways to reach the parking area, you'll know you're there when you see a big gate held up by two stone pillars. Once you are r...Read more -
Rustburg, Virginia
Explore the Hydaway Outdoor Recreation Center
4.3If you love everything outdoors, the Hydaway Outdoor Recreation Center is the place for you! You can do almost any activity you can think of here. If you aren't affiliated with Liberty University, you can't rent their equipment, but you can bring you own to use. The main attraction is the lake wh...Read more -
Charlottesville, Virginia
Kayak Beaver Creek Lake
4.3This little lake close to Charlottesville is my favorite place for an after work kayak, SUP, or just picnic by the water. It's a 20min drive from town, and the perfect place to watch the sunset over the Blue Ridge with water views. No gasoline powered motors allowed, but anything else you can g...Read more -
Hot Springs, Virginia
Explore Falling Spring Falls in the Alleghany Highlands
4.2Just nine miles north of I-64, this viewpoint is not one to be missed if you’re in the area. According to the information post at the overlook, “The site was once visited by [Thomas] Jefferson to survey the falls and he mentions it in his manuscripts ‘Notes on the State of Virginia’ written in 1...Read more