Recreation
Our region’s location on the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains allows residents to take advantage of numerous recreational pursuits. The Lynchburg Region is an outdoor lovers dream.
The Blue Ridge Parkway, one of America’s most scenic roads, and the Appalachian Trail, offer numerous overlooks, campgrounds, and picnic areas. For hikers, both offer scenic and challenging trails from beginner to advanced. For bikers, the Blackwater Creek Trail offers miles of paved and dirt trails in the heart of the city.
For fisherman, the George Washington National Forest has numerous mountain streams with championship trout fishing. The Region’s waterways host multiple professional fishing tournaments each year. Smith Mountain Lake is particularly known for its citation striped bass. Boating enthusiasts will enjoy Smith Mountain Lake located in southern Bedford County. It spans 200,000 acres with a 500-mile shoreline and provides a variety of recreational, dining and shopping opportunities. Also, the James and Staunton Rivers and Leesville Lake provide for additional canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.
There are numerous state, regional and local parks and recreational facilities throughout our area. State parks within the Region include Holliday Lake State Park and Smith Mountain Lake State Park.
Sports enthusiasts will be right at home in our region. Catch a baseball game with the Lynchburg Hillcats, a Class-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. Local colleges participate in the full spectrum of individual and team sports including NCAA football, basketball, baseball and soccer. The region is home to multiple public and private golf courses, including nationally-recognized Poplar Grove in Amherst County.
Just when you think you’ve experienced all recreation has to offer in the region, there is a year-round ski slope. Located on Liberty University’s campus is Liberty Mountain Snowflex Centre, the county’s only premier point for year-round skiing, snowboard and tubing. The facility offers beginner, intermediate and advanced slopes, as well as, a two-story lodge.
