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Enjoy the Best of the Blue Ridge in Destination Bedford

Best of the Blue Ridge 2024The Blue Ridge Parkway is widely known as America’s favorite scenic drive. In 2023, Travel & Leisure Magazine described Smith Mountain Lake as the Tahoe of the East. It’s no surprise that these exceptional attractions are among the places and businesses voted Best of the Blue Ridge.

Each year, the readers of Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine nominate their favorites in over 100 categories, and then cast their votes online for the honor of being called Best of the Blue Ridge. This year, Bedford was recognized with more nominations and winners than ever before.

Congratulations to the places, businesses and events that are winners or runners-up in their respective categories. In addition, we’re honored that Bottled in Bedford Craft Beverage Trail was nominated in its first year in operation, and that Bedford was nominated as a great place to raise an outdoor family.

 

Congrats to these winners, runners-up and nominees:

Sailboats on Smith Mountain Lake courtesy of Landa Hagee
Smith Mountain Lake

Best Lake in the Blue Ridge – Winner

Bedford, VA: Scenic Drives and Outdoor Fun in the Blue Ridge Mountains feature in Recreation News
Blue Ridge Parkway

Best Public Lands in the Blue Ridge – Winner

Bedford Outdoor Adventures logo
Bedford Outdoor Adventures

Best Educational Outdoor Rec Program – Winner

Falling Creek Bike Park
Falling Creek Park

Best Bike Park – Runner Up

Bedford is for disc golf lovers
Falling Creek Park

Best Disc Golf Course – Runner Up

Blue Ridge Overland Gear
Blue Ridge Overland Gear

Best Local Gear Brand – Runner Up


Smith Mountain Lake Triathlon

Best Triathlon – Runner Up


Bedford

Best Place to Raise an Outdoor Family – Nominee

Bottled in Bedford Craft Beverage Trail
Bottled in Bedford Craft Beverage Trail

Best Beer/ Wine/ Spirits Trail – Nominee


Sharp Top Trail at Peaks of Otter

Best Hiking Trail – Nominee

 

Blue Ridge Outdoors logo
The readers of Blue Ridge Outdoors also chose Bedford as a 2023 Top Adventure Town >

 

CHOOSE AN ADVENTURE:

biking Falling Creek Park
Smith Mountain Lake kayaking SUP
Ivy Hill Golf Course
hiking

Bike TrailsBOATING, SAILING, RENTALS & MARINASDISC GOLFGolf CoursesHIKING & WALKING TRAILSHORSEBACK RIDINGHUNTING & FISHINGPARKS & GARDENS

Welcome Center 2021 Mark Calhoun

Make the Bedford Area Welcome Center your first stop. Our volunteer staff can offer advice on outdoor adventures and supply maps and brochures. They can also help with lodging and dining.

Bedford Area Welcome Center
816 Burks Hill Road (at the intersection of Route 460 and 122)
Bedford, VA 24523

Open seven days a week 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. (closed some holidays)

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