ROANOKE, Va. – McAfee Knob is one of the most photographed locations on the Appalachian Trial with nearly 50,000 visitors each year.
“I’m from Alexandria, the city area, and I just googled awesome places to take a drive to and Roanoke came to place,” said Glenn Lopez, who was setting out on a hike.
The Trailhead parking lot has caused headaches for hikers and law enforcement in the past as the lot fills up fast.
On Thursday, Roanoke County launched an alternative – a new shuttle that will take hikers to and from McAfee Knob from the Park and Ride off Exit 140.
“This just makes this a more pleasant experience. It makes it so there’s less danger in some of the ways that our visitors were parking. It made it very difficult for our emergency vehicles as they needed to come through,” said Martha Hooker with the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors.
With convenient transportation, it also enhances the experience for visitors.
The shuttle runs on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through November, and starts up again in March. It will also be available on Labor Day.
“We’re just so thankful to have this shuttle in place for a better visit, for a safe visit, a better impression of our community and the Roanoke Valley,” Hooker added.
The price for a one-way ticket, including fees, is $6 and can be booked online here.