Radford, Virginia Attractions

River Course Army Ammunition Plant Appalachian Trail Wildwood Park

Claytor Lake State Park. Located on the 4,500–acre, 21–mile long Claytor Lake in the New River Valley of southwestern Virginia, Claytor Lake State Park features a boatload of activities. Experience miles of hiking trails, swimming, camping and a visitor center. For more information, visit www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/cla.shtml.

Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech. Named in 2006 by Golf Digest as among the “Best New Remodels,” the Pete Dye River Course of Virginia Tech was ranked fourth among the 170 courses considered and the only public, non–resort course listed in the top five. The new layout, which was designed by Pete Dye, one of finest golf course architects in the world, makes its way along the scenic and historic New River. For more information, visit www.rivercoursegolf.com.

Jefferson National Forest. Jefferson National Forest in Appalachia country is comprised of tumbling waterfalls, rare wildflowers and vividly colored hills. Covering 690,000 acres, Jefferson has several top–notch areas to explore. The Mount Rogers National Recreation Area encircles Virginia’s highest peak and features more than 400 miles of maintained trails. For more information, visit http://gorp.away.com/gorp/resource/us_national_forest/va_jeffe.htm.

New River Valley Mall. This sensational shopping center has everything from a (Aeropostale) to z (Zales) and everything in between. Enjoy name brand stores like Spencer Gifts, Victoria’s Secret, Sears and JC Penny plus oodles of local shops. For more information, visit www.shopnewrivervalleymall.com.  [Top]

Radford Army Ammunition Plant. The Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RFAAP), located in the mountains of southwest Virginia, consists of the Main Manufacturing Area and the New River Unit. RFAAP is still manufacturing propellants, its primary mission since 1941 when Congress saw a need to increase ammunition production facilities due to anticipated involvement in World War II. The plant has also produced TNT on an intermittent basis since 1968. For more information, visit www.radfordaapirp.org/about/history.htm.

Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center. Situated on 120 acres of rolling countryside in the heart of Virginia’s technology corridor, the Corporate Research Center offers 19 single– and multi–tenant buildings to accommodate companies of every size. And the location is ideal. The CRC is adjacent to the Virginia Tech Airport and just a 30–minute drive from Roanoke Regional Airport. For more information, visit www.vtcrc.com.  [Top]

Appalachian Trail. About one quarter of the Appalachian Trail lies within Virginia, including approximately 100 miles through the popular Shenandoah National Park. Further south, the Trail parallels the Blue Ridge Parkway, eventually going through the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and then coming into the town of Damascus, where Trail Days are celebrated every May. For more information, visit www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.jkLXJ8MQKtH/b.774885/k.DD9E/Virginia.htm.

Blue Ridge Parkway. Take the ride of your life along “America’s Favorite Drive”–469 miles of incredible, unforgettable scenery. The Parkway also incorporates several recreation areas, some exceeding 6,000 acres, which include visitor centers, camp grounds, picnic areas and trails. For more information, visit www.blueridgeparkway.org.  [Top]

Wildwood Park. Recreation and nature study are both possible in the heart of Radford at Wildwood Park. This 50–acre wooded valley boasts a stream, woodland habitat, marshy areas and meadows along with limestone cliffs. Biking and hiking is encouraged as a bikeway runs through the valley and hiking trails traverse both sides of the park. For more information, visit www.radfordpl.org/wildwood.

Martinsville Speedway. At slightly more than half a mile, Martinsville Speedway is the shortest track on the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Circuit. With 800–foot straights and turns banked at only 12 degrees, Martinsville has been referred to as “two drag strips with a turnaround on each end.” This demanding layout creates lots of tension on the track and lots of attention from the fans in the stands. For more information and the racing schedule, visit www.martinsvillespeedway.com.  [Top]