Blue Ridge Parkway Milepost 115: Explore Park Recreational Area, Visitor Center and Park Store in the Roanoke Valley
Explore Park is 1,100 acres of woods and land to explore with bike paths, hiking trails, and historic buildings. The Roanoke River runs through the park for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. Roanoke River access day passes for boat launch are available for a small fee that goes toward Park programming and future improvements. Nearby trails are popular.
History and information on the Blue Ridge Parkway can be found at the onsite Visitor Center, with souvenirs and regional arts & crafts available in the gift shop. The Visitor Center operates year round with varying schedules seasonally. Explore Park is operated by Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism and is a designated site on the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail.
To access Explore Park when the Parkway is closed, use this address: 3900 Rutrough Rd, Roanoke, VA 24014.