- DIG FOR FOSSILS AT CALVERT CLIFFS STATE PARK
- HIT A HOLE IN ONE AT FIELDS FERRY GOLF CLUB
- EXPLORE THE UNDERGROUND AT CRYSTAL GROTTOES CAVERNS
- HEAD BACK TO SUMMER CAMP AS AN ADULT AT TREMONT INSTITUTE!
- TRY A ROUND OF DISC GOLF AT A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE
- VISIT VIRGINIA’S LARGEST LAKE AT SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE
- HAVE A PICTURE-PERFECT PICNIC AT HUMPBACK BRIDGE & WAYSIDE PARK
- SLEEP UNDER THE STARS AT ANNAPOLIS ROCK CAMPGROUND
- VISIT ONE OF VIRGINIA’S LARGEST WATERFALLS AT FALLING SPRING FALLS
- HIKE OFF THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY AT THE PEAKS OF OTTER
- EXPERIENCE VIRGINIA’S SWEETEST EVENT OF THE YEAR AT THE HIGHLAND COUNTY MAPLE FESTIVAL
- TASTE THE WORLD’S OLDEST FERMENTED BEVERAGE ON THE BOTTLED IN BEDFORD TRAIL
- SKI, PADDLE, AND SCUBA DIVE AT LAUREL RIVER LAKE
- GO WHITEWATER RAFTING WITH ADVENTURES ON THE GORGE
- TAKE ON A DOUBLE BLACK DIAMOND AT MASSANUTTEN RESORT
- HIKE THROUGH HISTORIC BATTLEGROUNDS IN SOUTH CAROLINA
- HIKE FIVE 5,000-FEET SUMMITS WITH THE 5 OVER 5000 CHALLENGE
- GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH WILDLIFE ON THE NEW RIVER TRAIL
- RIDE THE RAILS IN MOUNTAIN MARYLAND
- TAKE A SUBTERRANEAN BOAT TOUR AT LOST RIVER CAVE
- LEARN TO CROSS COUNTRY SKI IN CANAAN VALLEY
- RUN AMERICA’S TOUGHEST ROAD MARATHON
- HIKE TO GEORGIA’S ONLY BACKCOUNTRY LODGE
DIG FOR FOSSILS AT CALVERT CLIFFS STATE PARK
CALVERT COUNTY, MD The massive cliffs of Calvert Cliffs State Park dominate the shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay for roughly 24 miles in Calvert County, Maryland. They were formed 10-20 million years ago when the area was covered by a warm, shallow sea. When the sea receded, the cliffs were exposed and began eroding. Today these cliffs reveal the remains of prehistoric species, including sharks, whales, rays and seabirds, all of which you can search for and take home! Calvert Cliffs State Park is a day-use park featuring a sandy beach, unique fossils, an accessible recycled tire playground and 13 miles of hiking trails.
HIT A HOLE IN ONE AT FIELDS FERRY GOLF CLUB
CALHOUN, GA Discover a golfer’s paradise at Fields Ferry Golf Club, just a few miles from I-75 in Calhoun. Designed by renowned architect Arthur Davis, this 18-hole course offers a challenging design in a relaxing and well-manicured setting. Ranked among the Top 100 Best In State Golf Courses, it’s a local gem attracting golf enthusiasts from afar. With friendly staff, pristine conditions, and great value, it’s perfect for all types of players. Whether you’re a local or visiting Calhoun, Fields Ferry Golf Club is the ultimate destination for a terrific round of golf.
EXPLORE THE UNDERGROUND AT CRYSTAL GROTTOES CAVERNS
BOONSBORO, MD The Hagerstown, Maryland area is beautiful inside and out! At Crystal Grottoes Caverns near the Appalachian Trail Town of Boonsboro, visitors can explore Maryland’s only commercially operated cave. It is the most naturally kept cave in the world with its unique geological formations. Thousands of stalactites, stalagmites and helectites are waiting to be discovered as you pass through impressive passageways and open spaces. Temperatures underground are 54 degrees all year round, so it is the perfect activity for cooling off in the summer and keeping warm in the winter! Stay at one of the many cozy bed & breakfasts to complete your trip.
HEAD BACK TO SUMMER CAMP AS AN ADULT AT TREMONT INSTITUTE!
Townsend, TN Tremont Institute is known for its nature-based summer camps for kids and teens inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park, but they recently started offering Naturalist Week, a summer camp just for adults. And yes, it’s as amazing as it sounds. From birding to animal tracking, plant identification to cultural exploration, stargazing to splashing in a cold mountain stream, this week-long overnight camp promises to reignite your childlike senses of curiosity and wonder as you live, learn, and play in the nation’s most biodiverse national park. Learn more and sign up at gsmit.org/naturalist-camp.
TRY A ROUND OF DISC GOLF AT A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE
Bedford, VA With five public courses, Bedford is a disc golf destination worth a visit. The Blue Ridge scenery, combined with a variety of terrain makes for some of the best disc golf you will play, from beginner and family-friendly to advanced. The newest course, located at New London Business and Technology Center Park, was designed by six-time World Champion Disc Golfer, Paul McBeth, and the 2024 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships will be played here in August 2024. National tournaments are discovering Bedford’s thriving disc golf culture, and so should you!
VISIT VIRGINIA’S LARGEST LAKE AT SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE
Bedford, VA Experience adventure and relaxation all in one at Smith Mountain Lake, which features roughly 500 miles of shoreline and endless outdoor recreation. If you are looking for some thrill, rent a boat or jet ski from a local marina, or stick to solid ground with a hike or bike ride along the shore at Smith Mountain Lake State Park. For a more relaxed experience, set out for a leisurely paddle or fishing trip with an experienced guide. Virginia’s largest lake has so much to offer, and is worthy of being on top of your 2024 bucket list!
HAVE A PICTURE-PERFECT PICNIC AT HUMPBACK BRIDGE & WAYSIDE PARK
Alleghany Highlands, VA As one of the most iconic and recognized structures in Virginia, it is clear why so many visitors stop here for a quick photo and to relax. Built in 1857 over Dunlap Creek, Humpback Bridge was once used for vehicular traffic until 1929. Nowadays, it is part of the five-acre Wayside Park, and considered the oldest bridge of its design in the United States. The park is complete with restrooms and picnic tables, and with the historic bridge as a backdrop, the LOVEworks sign here is one of the most unique in the state!
SLEEP UNDER THE STARS AT ANNAPOLIS ROCK CAMPGROUND
Boonsboro, MD Near the Appalachian Trail Town of Boonsboro, is Annapolis Rock Overlook and nearby Campground. This scenic spot is perfect for those wishing to experience awe-inspiring views and primitive camping or backpacking opportunities. Take the 5 mile out-and-back hike on the Appalachian Trail to the iconic Annapolis Rock, where you can catch glimpses of Greenbrier Lake and Black Rock Cliff. When you’re ready to settle in, the campsite offers about a dozen campsites with breathtaking sunset views, and a natural spring nearby. Be prepared to walk! The campsite is hike-in only, and at an elevation of 1,700 feet, it is considered a moderate hike.
VISIT ONE OF VIRGINIA’S LARGEST WATERFALLS AT FALLING SPRING FALLS
Alleghany Highlands, VA Located on Route 220, Falling Spring Falls offers visitors a view of a lifetime. The 80-foot waterfall is one of the most captivating and photographed spots in the county, just five miles north of Covington, and for good reason. Thomas Jefferson described the falls as a “remarkable cascade… falling over a rock about 200 feet to the valley below”. Take a glimpse of the falls from the roadway or stay a while. The property has had extensive renovations to the overlook and grounds, including a picnic area, so that visitors can more safely stop and enjoy the view!
HIKE OFF THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY AT THE PEAKS OF OTTER
Bedford, VA The Blue Ridge Parkway is iconic for a reason. The spectacular overlooks, exciting hikes, and Appalachian scenery create unforgettable memories. At Peaks of Otter in Bedford, Virginia, you can have a true Blue Ridge adventure with some of the best hikes the mountain range and Virginia have to offer. From strenuous treks like Sharp Top Trail and Flat Top Trail to easier strolls such as Abbott Lake Trail, you will be rewarded with 360-degree views, incredible photo-ops, and a feeling of accomplishment.
EXPERIENCE VIRGINIA’S SWEETEST EVENT OF THE YEAR AT THE HIGHLAND COUNTY MAPLE FESTIVAL
Monterey, VA Shake off the winter blues and celebrate the start of spring by being a part of this sweet annual tradition during the second and third weekends in March! Since 1959, visitors have been drawn to the rural mountains of western Virginia for a cultural and culinary adventure. Enjoy the 64th-annual, award-winning, county-wide event with free tours of maple sugar camps, over 100 arts & crafts vendors, delicious food like famous maple donuts and pancake meals, and live entertainment this March 9-10 & 16-17, 2024. Virginia is for Maple Syrup Lovers!
HighlandCounty.org/Maple-Festival
Photo Courtesy of Savanah Graham.
TASTE THE WORLD’S OLDEST FERMENTED BEVERAGE ON THE BOTTLED IN BEDFORD TRAIL
Bedford, VA Discover local wineries, cideries, breweries, and a meadery on the new Bottled in Bedford Craft Beverage Trail. In 10 stops, you can taste some of the finest small batch wine, beer, cider and mead, the world’s oldest fermented beverage, while enjoying the scenery from the vineyards to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Some stops even offer live music, games, and food trucks to keep you properly entertained and fueled.
SKI, PADDLE, AND SCUBA DIVE AT LAUREL RIVER LAKE
LONDON/LAUREL COUNTY, KY Encompassing 5,600 acres of pristine, deep waters, along with nearly 200 miles of picturesque tree-fringed shoreline, the tranquil inlets and precipitous cliffs of Laurel River Lake provide opportunities for peaceful contemplation, as well as a range of activities like boating, fishing, waterskiing, and scuba diving. Anglers can also enjoy excellent fishing for black bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill, and catfish. At the edge of the Appalachians, and with even more pristine lakes, hiking trails, and rushing rivers to discover, London and Laurel County is truly where adventure begins.
GO WHITEWATER RAFTING WITH ADVENTURES ON THE GORGE
Lansing, WV Get your adrenaline pumping with whitewater rafting trips on both the New River and Gauley River. Adventures on the Gorge will guide you down some of West Virginia’s best whitewater leading you right through the heart of the New River Gorge National Park. With multiple sections of river to choose from, you can find trips for kids as young as 6 up to the most adventurous rafter.
TAKE ON A DOUBLE BLACK DIAMOND AT MASSANUTTEN RESORT
Massanutten, VA Along with the new high-speed, detachable lift Peak Express, Massanutten Resort is offering snowsport lovers plenty of exciting features for the 2023/2024 season. Take on the new double black trail “No Hessitation”, which has automated snowmaking and LED lights, and a steep fall line that will increase the challenge factor for advanced skiers and riders. Other newly developed slopes are available to enjoy as well. As always, lessons and rentals are available, and the increased snowmaking pumping capacity provides more snow in less time than ever before!
HIKE THROUGH HISTORIC BATTLEGROUNDS IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Old 96 District, SC Go outside and learn something new! The Old 96 District is home to Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood, Laurens, and McCormick counties, each with plenty of historic sites to explore. Hike through Revolutionary War battlefields in the Ninety Six National Historic Site, visit “the Birthplace and Deathbed of the Civil War” at Burt-Stark Mansion, and discover the legacy of a Civil Rights Movement leader at Dr. Benjamin Mays Historic Preservation Site. The significant architecture, museums, and cultural sites of Old 96 District are waiting to immerse you in the past.
HIKE FIVE 5,000-FEET SUMMITS WITH THE 5 OVER 5000 CHALLENGE
Smyth County, VA Get your head in the clouds and embark on the hike of a lifetime. Boasting five summits exceeding 5,000 feet, Smyth County’s Five over 5000 Challenge promises a thrilling adventure with awe-inspiring views, wild ponies, and bragging rights. Document your achievement by capturing a photo at each summit. The Challenge comes with no time constraints, allowing you to complete The Hike in a weekend, over a month, or throughout the year! Upon successful completion, challengers will receive stickers and a pin from the Chamber of Commerce office and earn a spot on the Wall of Fame. Are you ready to take on The Hike?
GET UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH WILDLIFE ON THE NEW RIVER TRAIL
Galax, VA Nestled in the heart of Galax, Virginia, the New River Trail is a true gem for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers alike. As you embark on your exploration of the 57-mile linear park, you’ll find yourself immersed in a world of pristine wilderness and a sense of serenity that only nature can provide. Catch glimpses of deer, birds, otters, and fish while you walk alongside the waters of the New River. The wildflowers of springtime, such as Dutchmen’s breeches, wake robins, and spear thistle, line the trail and create a pastel landscape worth admiring.
RIDE THE RAILS IN MOUNTAIN MARYLAND
Allegany County, MD The Great Allegheny Passage is known for its great cycling and hiking route, but did you know there is also rail biking along the corridor? Departing from Frostburg, Maryland, riders of all ages and abilities can take a 2.5 hour Tracks and Yaks excursion along the historic Western Maryland Railway line. This pedal-powered ride along the smooth railroad tracks, will take you through various points of interest and stunning mountain views. For more adventure, consider the package which includes a 4-mile kayaking experience!
TAKE A SUBTERRANEAN BOAT TOUR AT LOST RIVER CAVE
Bowling Green, KY Embark on a captivating journey through natural wonders as you take a boat tour of Lost River Cave. At this underground landmark, a blend of folklore and historical facts converges to weave captivating tales. This cave unfolds as an ancient native hunting ground, a Civil War campground, a refuge for the notorious outlaw Jesse James, and an underground nightclub that swung to the rhythms of the 1930s. The stories that intertwine with this natural wonder create an unforgettable narrative of its rich and diverse history, perfect for the whole family to enjoy. As a non-profit organization, all ticket sales go back to preserving this natural wonder.
LEARN TO CROSS COUNTRY SKI IN CANAAN VALLEY
White Grass Touring Center, Tucker County, WV Experience the energy and stoke at the most unique and fun cross country ski area on the planet…White Grass in Canaan Valley, West Virginia. For the uninitiated, their bucket list should have a visit to this winter wonderland to take a lesson to learn to cross country ski. Practice on the easy terrain of the “snow farm” and then head straight to the cozy lodge for the best soup that warms your soul and a local beer on tap that raises your courage to go back out. Ski to the sunny Springer Orchard to perfect your snow plow for your next visit which will surely involve a trip up to the top of the mountain.
RUN AMERICA’S TOUGHEST ROAD MARATHON
Roanoke, VA Make your way to Viginia’s Blue Ridge on April 20 for the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon. With an epic 7,430’ of elevation change, this bucket-list run is the toughest road race in the country. Enjoy the open-air race expo and finish festival with live music, craft brews, and wellness vendors. Find sensational live music with the Freedom First Down by Downtown Music Festival taking place in a dozen unique downtown music venues. Dine in top-quality restaurants and explore the art and shopping in the vibrant market area. Then, finish your weekend with America’s Slowest 5k presented by Altra. With this recovery race, everyone gets a cup of coffee and a donut, and the last person to finish is the winner. Use code: BROPEAK for 10% off your race registration.
HIKE TO GEORGIA’S ONLY BACKCOUNTRY LODGE
Len Foote Hike Inn, Dawson County, GA Nestled within northern Georgia’s Chattahoochee National Forest, the Len Foote Hike Inn is a special reward after a hike through lush landscapes. Start your trek from the top of Georgia’s tallest cascading waterfall, Amicalola Falls, before taking a moderate 5-mile trail to the Inn. All you need for your stay is a change of clothes and toiletries, as the Hike Inn supplies everything else, including a complimentary southern family-style dinner and country breakfast. Being only accessible by foot, this LEED-Certified Platinum Facility is a great way to meet new wayward travelers, and disconnect from the modern world to enjoy nature with family and friends.
