Roanoke Voted Best Mountain Town by Blue Ridge Outdoors

Roanoke earned the most votes in recent Best Mountain Town polling by Blue Ridge Outdoors readers.

The results, which were announced Nov. 1, ranked Roanoke as the top mid-sized mountain town over Asheville, N.C.; Morgantown, W.Va.; and Charlottesville, among others.

Here’s what the magazine had to say: “The city of Roanoke is perfectly located: In the heart of the valley, with a river running right through town, and adjacent to George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. Not surprisingly, it’s rapidly gaining a reputation as one of the country’s top outdoor destinations.”

The magazine considers a range of factors when choosing the best mountain town, but the most important aspect is the people. “That’s the funny thing about outdoor recreation: it takes a commitment from the people to maintain,” the article reads. “Trails need clearing, rivers need cleaning, and access needs protecting.”

You can see the full article online from Blue Ridge Outdoors or pick up the November issue of the magazine on newsstands.