Hikes

The Mountain Lake Loop (Indian trail, i) is an easy walk around the lake area with gentle terrain and beautiful scenery.

• Distance: ~1.5 miles
• Difficulty: Easy
• Estimated time: ~30–45 minutes
• Terrain: Mostly flat with some uneven ground
• Highlights: Lake views, wildlife, relaxed pace

AllTrails Map:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/mountain-lake-loop--2

Bald Knob (Bald Knob, A) is short but steep, with rocky sections near the summit. The trail starts right behind Mountain Lake Lodge.

• Distance: ~0.8 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: ~410 ft
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Estimated time: ~40–60 minutes
• Terrain: Steep, rocky, uneven in places

AllTrails Map:
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/bald-knob-trail--3

Most direct out and back route: Enter the dirt road across from the outfitters parking lot (there should be a metal gate with a chain). Take that (Bald Knob Rd. - S) to Bear Cliffs Trail (N). If you want to also see Bald Knob on the way back from bear cliffs, take a left on the road when you come back and go up the road to Bald Knob. You can then come down the steep trail (Bald Knob, A).

The other option to get to Bear Cliffs is to start on the Bald Knob hike (see Option 2) and continue on to Bear Cliffs (Bald Knob - A, Moonstomper - M, Bear Cliffs - N).

• Distance: ~3.5 miles
• Elevation gain: ~830 ft
• Difficulty: Moderate to moderately strenuous
• Estimated time: ~2–2.5 hours
• Terrain: Rocky, uneven, steeper sections, some overgrown areas possible

AllTrails Map (this reflects Bald Knob to Bear Cliffs, second route above):
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/bald-knob-and-bear-cliffs

Mountain Lake Lodge — the filming location for Dirty Dancing — is offering an optional Dirty Dancing Tour during the outing. The tour is approximately one hour long and could be combined with Bald Knob if timed correctly (Bald Knob can be done in 30 minutes or so).

Tour details:

• Cost: $10 per person
• Sign-up location: Outfitters Gift Shop
• Payment accepted: Cash or credit card
• Tour times: 1:45 PM and 3:15 PM
• Capacity: 25 guests per tour (50 total participants)

For those who do not want to do the full-hour organized tour, there is also a self-guided Dirty Dancing tour that allows you to visit specific sites from the movie that you are interested in seeing. The Lodge can provide a pamphlet to guide you. This option would be easy to combine with one of the shorter hikes (Lake Loop or Bald Knob).

About 20 minutes from campus, you can spend the afternoon floating on inner tubes on one of the oldest rivers in the world.  This relaxing float ends in an optional run of McCoy Falls (Class II rapids), for those seeking a little adrenaline jolt.  The same location has kayaking, canoeing, and paddle board opportunities.

• New River Junction
  (20 min from VT campus)
  Spend the afternoon floating on inner tubes on one of the oldest rivers in the world.  This relaxing float ends in an optional run of McCoy Falls (Class II rapids), for those seeking a little adrenaline jolt. New River Junction provides everything you need from tube rentals, parking, restrooms, and a free shuttle that returns you to the starting point for unlimited tubing fun.  The area is also good for snorkeling, paddleboarding, and kayaking–if you bring your own gear you can pay modest parking and shuttle fees at the Junction.

Blacksburg is known for its world class mountain biking trails.  See below for multiple options.

• Mountain Biking
  (various trails 40 min - 1 hr from VT campus)
  Discover the incredible trails and riding opportunities around Roanoke in Virginia's Blue Ridge and experience what makes it America's East Coast Mountain Biking Capital! The region features over 400 miles of trails for mountain biking, ranging from easy downhill rides to challenging cross country treks. Virginia's Blue Ridge is also a designated Silver-Level Ride Center™ by the International Mountain Bicycling Association and home to Virginia's Blue Ridge TWENTY28 Team!
  
  
• Pandapas Pond Day Use Area Biking
  (9 min from the VT campus)
  Explore 17 miles of scenic trails in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forest near Blacksburg and Virginia Tech at the Poverty Creek Trail System. This renowned network offers mountain biking opportunities through hardwood and rhododendron forests, particularly stunning during the blooming season. The primary trail, Poverty Creek Trail, spans over 7 miles and connects to various spurs, providing intermediate and expert riders with thrilling descents on both sides of Brush Mountain.
  
  
• New River Trail
  (45 min from the VT campus)
  New River Trail State Park is a 57-mile linear park in southwestern Virginia, spanning 4 counties and running largely parallel to the New River on a former railroad line. Renowned for biking, hiking, and horseback riding, this crushed-stone trail features historic tunnels, bridges, and scenic forest views from Pulaski to Galax.
  
  
• Huckleberry Trail
  (On the VT campus)
  The Huckleberry Trail is a multipurpose trail that measures almost 15 miles in length in Montgomery County, Virginia, connecting the towns of Blacksburg and Christiansburg.

Whether you prefer to chase smallmouth bass on the New River or trout in smaller streams nearby, Blacksburg offers many angling options within 30 mins of campus.  See below for a few options.

Guided Trips and Outfitters

• Tangent Outfitters
  (18 min from VT campus)
  Tangent Outfitters is a full-service outdoor recreation provider. It offers guided fishing trips as well as canoe, kayak, and rafting rentals, along with shuttle services for river and trail trips.
  
  
• New River Outdoor Co
  (30 min from VT campus)
  Specializes in trophy Smallmouth and Muskie trips across 100+ miles of the river.
  
  
• New River Fly Fishing
  (40 min from VT campus)
  Offers professional float and wade trips for all skill levels.

Popular Public Boat Ramps

These sites are ideal for launching motorboats, canoes, or kayaks and include parking for trailers. 

• Whitethorne Boat Ramp
  (16 min from VT campus)
  Perhaps the most popular access point, known for its large parking lot and proximity to prime Smallmouth Bass and Muskie waters.

• Eggleston
  (21 min from VT campus)
  A newer concrete ramp providing access to a scenic stretch of river with towering cliffs and deep pools favored by trophy Muskie.

• Bisset Park / Dudley's Landing
  (25 min from VT campus)
  Wade fishing is extremely popular off the banks of Bisset Park near the Route 11 bridge that spans high above the New River. Whether its small mouth bass or giant muskie, the fish are almost always biting. In fact, Radford’s stretch of the New River has been the site of many state-record breaking catches in recent years.

The group hikes organized by the conference only scratch the surface of tremendous trekking opportunities around Blacksburg.  If you wish to design your own hike to locations such as Dragons Tooth on the Appalachian Trail or Mill Creek Nature Park—there is no shortage of great options.  See below for a selection of popular hikes.
 

• Dragons Tooth
  (35 min from VT campus)
  Dragon Tooth's Trail is a challenging but extremely fun route that includes a scramble to the top at the end. While shorter at 4.6 miles out-and-back, the last 0.7–1 mile is a steep, intense, and often slow-going rock scramble. This hike will have you climbing slowly towards Cove Mountain and being rewarded with some amazing views of the surrounding areas.
  
  
• Tinker Cliffs
  (45 min from VT campus)
  Following the Andy Layne Trail off Catawba Road, this 7.7-mile out-and-back hike will test your strength as the trail features nearly 2,000 feet of elevation gain. Once you reach Tinker Cliffs, which are made from limestone that's over 250 million years old, stand in awe of the Blue Ridge Mountains to your south, which includes Catawba Mountain and McAfee Knob. From an elevation of 3,000 feet, it's an amazing view.
  
  
• Rice Fields
  (30 min from VT campus)
  The Rice Fields is a short but rewarding trail that leads to a wide, open meadow on a bluff overlooking the New River.  This 5 mile out-and-back hike has a moderate uphill climb at the start, followed by easier walking. At the top, you’re greeted with sweeping views of the river, surrounding mountains, and grassy “fields” that resemble rice paddies (though no rice is grown there). It’s especially popular for sunset, wildflowers, and picnicking thanks to the open space and scenic overlook.
  
  
• Buffalo Mountain
  (1 hr from VT campus)
  Buffalo Mountain is one of the most significant natural areas in Virginia, supporting an amazing 15 rare plant occurrences, three rare animals and nine significant natural communities. The combination of high-elevation, wind-exposed rocky openings at the summit, and magnesium rich soils make it unlike any place else in the Commonwealth.  A short 2-mile out-and-back hike leads to the rocky summit with sweeping views. After your hike, be sure to stop by the iconic Floyd County Store to enjoy local music, food, and the charm of downtown Floyd.
  
  
• Mill Creek Nature Park
  (35 min from VT campus)
  Within the mountains of Narrows, this nature park spans 145-acres of beautiful landscape.  There are short trails leading to scenic falls and visitors can enjoy hiking, mountain biking and fishing for native trout in a pristine mountain stream.
  
  
• Huckleberry Trail
  (On the VT Campus)
  The Huckleberry Trail is a paved, multi-use path in Blacksburg that stretches roughly 6 miles within town and up to about 15 miles total, connecting Blacksburg to Christiansburg. It is popular for walking, running, and biking, offering scenic views.