The Blue Ridge Parkway wends its way through the mountains of Virginia, offering beautiful vistas of one of the nations most beautiful places: the Blue Ridge Mountains. And tucked away just off the parkway near the town of Roanoke, Virginia, is a little-known adventure park that’s a perfect destination for the whole family.

Welcome to Explore Park, a recreational area hidden away in the Blue Ridge Mountains of southwest Virginia, outside of Roanoke.
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It's a bit of a trick to get here (especially if a portion of the parkway is closed for repairs - check for road closures before you come!), but once you arrive, you'll find there's plenty for the whole family to enjoy.
Start at the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center, managed by the National Park Service. There you'll find a quaint gift shop plus lots of information about the area.
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On the other side of the visitor center parking lot, you'll see glimpses of Treetop Quest, a canopy playground featuring ropes courses, a giant net trampoline, and lots of other fun activities for patrons of all ages.
Management/Tripadvisor
It's currently open Friday to Sunday.

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Across the road from the center, enjoy a delicious meal and drinks at Brugh Tavern, home of Twin Creeks Brew Pub (right now, they're just open on weekends).
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Or, you can set off on a hike to explore the other hidden attractions Explore Park has to offer, like the log cabin and mill ruins along the Old Fort and Riverside Village Trails.
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There is also easy river access for swimming, boating, and fishing, plus lots of campsites right along the water. Bring your own tent or use one that Explore Park provides, already set up and ready for you to move right in!
P J Avery/Tripadvisor
There are also cabins and yurts available if you prefer that to a traditional tent.
And before you leave, don't forget to head on out past Mayflower Point to Pine Mountain Overlook for a soul-satisfying view of the beautiful Blue Ridge.
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Explore Park is located at 56 Roanoke River Parkway Road (usually the best way to Google Map it) or 3900 Rutrough Road (easier if coming from downtown Roanoke), Roanoke, Virginia. As of this writing, the Parkway is closed from US Route 220 to Milepost 115 (Explore Park), but you can still access it on the parkway from US Route 24 heading south, or by taking backroads through Roanoke to arrive at the Rutrough entrance.

For another hidden gem on the eastern edge of Virginia, try Grandview Nature Preserve!

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Explore Park, 56 Roanoke River Parkway Rd, Roanoke, VA 24014, USA