Radford University is nestled along the New River. Flowing through North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia, the river is home to many species of freshwater fish and provides a variety of recreational opportunities. Just a mile from campus, students can rent kayaks, canoes, and inner tubes and make a day of exploring the area by water.

Despite its name, the New River is among the oldest waterways on the continent, perhaps as ancient as 360 million years. It is also one of the very few rivers in the world to flow north instead of south. Graced with an unusually warm water temperature due to confluence with warm water tributaries, the New River is burgeoning with recreation during the spring and summer months.

Radford’s largest city park, Bisset Park, is situated on 57 acres of riverfront land in the central part of the city. The park offers walking trails, athletic fields, picnic shelters, children’s playground, a sand volleyball area, and many other opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Fog lifting from the valley one morning in the early fall amid the Blue Ridge Mountains surrounding Radford and the New River Valley.  The Blue Ridge Mountains provide endless opportunities for recreation.

Sunrise in the New River Valley amid the mountains overlooking Claytor Lake.  The manmade lake provides a wide range of recreational activities to area residents including fishing, swimming and boating.

Claytor Lake State Park is located on the 4,500-acre, 21-mile long Claytor Lake in the New River Valley of southwestern Virginia, Claytor Lake State Park offers a wide variety of activities for water and land enthusiasts. Area residents enjoy family fun at the beach and swimming area that are part of this state park.

Students enjoy beating the summer heat by tubing down the New River around the McCoy Falls section of Montgomery and Giles counties.

One of the most beautiful roadways in the United States, the Blue Ridge Parkway is a 469-mile National Scenic Byway that runs through Virginia and North Carolina. The nearest access point from Radford is just 45 minutes from campus.

The city of Roanoke is just 45 miles from campus and offers shopping, dining and recreational opportunities. The Mill Mountain Overlook offers spectacular views of the Roanoke Valley surrounded by mountain ranges.