This Thanksgiving weekend, Virginia State Parks are encouraging people to ‘opt out’ of the shopping and chaos and ‘opt outside’ instead.

“Shrewd Outdoors” a first-of-its-kind business for the area is open now and welcoming customers in Salem.

The first-ever Blue Ridge Games have been a hit, offering a variety of thrilling activities that highlight the unique beauty of Southwest Virginia.

Climate change is impacting our insect populations, and entomologists say that warmer seasons are causing bugs to come out earlier.

Registration for the first-ever Blue Ridge Games kicks off in less than a week.

A local angler was fly fishing for bass, when he hooked the fish of a lifetime. He landed a trout over two feet long.

Here are the big differences, and pros and cons, of each type, according to Taste of Home.

Tick season is back, and 10 News talked with a doctor and professor with Virginia Tech’s Carilion Clinic.

Russ Cook started his journey in South Africa, and on Sunday, he is scheduled to finish the over 9,000-mile quest in Bizerte, Tunisia.

With bees out and about again for the spring, you can prepare for an increased risk of stings.

Tourism spending on the Blue Ridge Parkway contributed $1.3 billion to the local economy last year, according to a new report.

The National Park Service has announced that in 2023, there will be five days where admission to sites will be free to the public.

The park would be in the Roanoke River near Wasena Park

10 News talked to one woman who is still dealing with the disease years after she was infected.

Whether it’s hitting the water, cycling or catching up with an Olympic gold medalist, John Carlin is always up for an adventure.

You know him well (or, at least, you think you do) – a lover of the outdoors, his family, and a familiar face here at the station – 10 News anchor John Carlin!

Roanoke will be filled with visitors from all over the world this weekend for “America’s Toughest Road Races.”

The 22nd Annual Blue Ridge Kite Festival returned to Green Hill Park Saturday.

If you’ve been outside lately, you might have noticed some of the beautiful blooms already on trees, but for some those flowers have consequences.

While it’s not as comfortable and it might be easier to lose motivation this time of year, colder winter days shouldn't prevent you from running outside.

George’s Flowers on Franklin Road used to have a Ramada Inn as a next-door neighbor back in the day.

The murder of Memphis' Eliza Fletcher this week has others in the running community sharing safety tips.

The shuttle will run every 30 minutes from the I-81 Exit 140 Park and Ride are to the McAfee Knob Trailhead parking lot

A Texas fisherman caught more than fish this week after capturing a video of a shark being hoisted out of the water onto a pier in Port Aransas.

After this mix-up, you should take a bit of extra caution before handling a wild animal.

Greetings Insiders!

If you know any avid hunters or fishers, make sure they are purchasing a license through the appropriate channels.

If you want the scenic view, you'll need to earn it!

The city of Roanoke has received a state grant to improve access to the Roanoke River near the 13th Street Bridge.

The county administrator says they’re able to fund the recreational improvements because other capital projects were covered by CARES funds and the American Rescue Plan.

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is asking hunters from Virginia to help them in their efforts to monitor the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in the deer population.

Common places for ticks include tall grass and in brushy forested areas, but it’s not unheard of to find them while you’re in your outside in your neighborhood or doing yard work. That’s why experts want you to be vigilant.

Apple Orchard Mountain is a bald spot on the Appalachian Trail that has a unique peak and beautiful views.

The summer season is officially underway at Roanoke County’s largest park.

Happy Hollow Gardens is a short hike on Sugarloaf Mountain. It’s located just off Mount Chesnut road and you’re welcomed with beautiful flowers.

ROANOKE, Va. – Dozens of children enjoyed Roanoke’s weather Saturday with an outdoor event at Lucy Addison Middle School. Total Action for Progress’ “Bring Your Wheels” event focused on bike safety; many of the children adhered to the title and rode their bikes to the gathering. Every child within TAP’s Youth Education Program received a free bike helmet and a lesson from Brain Injury Services of Southwest Virginia. Program director Angela Williams said she’s just happy the children got outside. “When I was young, we played kickball, had sack races, and rode our bikes,” Williams said.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – Daylight Saving Time took effect Sunday morning, which means the sun has risen on Explore Park’s busiest time of year. The Roanoke County park along the Blue Ridge Parkway has already attracted visitors with its new Twin Creeks Brewpub, which opened last fall. The park expects even more visitors when its Treetop Quest attraction opens at the beginning of April. Explore Park program director Ben Crawley said Daylight Savings Time represents the unofficial start of spring and outdoor activities. “The weather is starting to change, it’s starting to get warmer, and it’s a little bit brighter for a little bit longer.

ROANOKE, Va. – Some of you out there planning to go on a boat ride this year will now be able to keep some extra money in your wallet. The Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) announced Thursday that it’s extending the start date of a new boat ramp fee. The $23 annual fee, or $4 daily fee, was originally enacted on January 1 for people without a boating registration, fishing license, hunting license or access permit. By extending the fee’s start date to July 1, 2022, DWR said it now has the chance to talk with stakeholders and decide the best way to fund recreational access sites without putting economic pressures on outfitters, education providers and others. DWR hopes to meet with stakeholders within the next few months and then issue a report of the group’s findings by December 1.

BIG ISLAND, Va. – Icy conditions led to two separate rescues along the Appalachian Trail on Saturday. The longer rescue happened on the trail near Big Island and the James River Foot Bridge. It took a rescue team eight hours to free a hiker who injured his legs and suffered from hypothermia. UPDATE: At 1019 the Division III Technical Rescue Team was alerted about an injured hiker on the Appalachain Trail... Posted by Virginia Division 3 Technical Rescue Team on Saturday, February 20, 2021The second rescue happened in Roanoke County, where crews rescued a hiker who fell from the trail leading to McAfee Knob. At approximately 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, February 20, 2021 Roanoke County Fire and Rescue units were dispatched to the... Posted by Roanoke County Fire & Rescue Department on Saturday, February 20, 2021Some hikers still decided to travel the trail on Sunday, despite the icy conditions.

ROANOKE, Va. – The Roanoke Mountain overlook is about a 2 mile round trip hike that is a great way to start the morning! You’ll park off the Blue Ridge Parkway right at the Roanoke Mountain Road intersection. With each turn up the road, the view through the trees got prettier and prettier. As we came upon the overlook, you can see the mountains start to pop up in front of you. The view was amazing, and the overlook had photos that showed what mountains were where- you could even see the tip of the Mill Mountain Star from the top.

BUENA VISTA, Va. – Panther Falls is a swimming hole just outside of Buena Vista. You’ll take Panther Falls Road for about three miles, then you’ll start to see cars lined up in the small parking lot. It was pretty cold but the more we walked along the river, the more we got used to it. There was a lot of people when we went, and we noticed a group underneath the falls swimming through a cave. On another set of falls, there were natural water slides into a pool.

The 5th annual Beaver Dam Farm Sunflower Festival attracted thousands of people so far. Everyone that comes leaves here with a smile.”The event did make several socially-distanced changes for the year. We’re not going to cancel, so how do we make it happen?’”The sunflower festival also featured vendors such as Tamara Dennis who said it’s a vital event for her business. All of my summer events were either cancelled or modified.”Dennis said she’s grateful the sunflower festival could keep going this year. The sunflower festival continues on Saturday, Sept. 19.

PEMBROKE, Va. – Barney’s Wall and the Cascades is a 4 mile round trip hike that has mountain and waterfall views. Full disclaimer, if you don’t have four wheel drive, you probably won’t make it up to this spot. Walk up the road a few yards then the sign for the trail is on your left. Not the cascades, but definitely a pretty part of Little Stony Creek. But we made it, and I would recommend this hike for sure, but maybe on a cooler day.

But regardless where you’re located or what types of weather your region regularly experiences, it’s always best to remain vigilant. When it comes to hurricanes and big storms, there’s always so much talk about how to prepare the insides of our homes. Therefore, it’s always better to err on the side of caution, he added. “There’s nothing wrong with being too careful.”So, the next time a big storm’s coming to town, walk around the exterior of your house, your property or your yard. You could even turn this into a project, moving just a few belongings a day, leading up to the storm.

ROANOKE, Va. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a 200% spike in use of outdoor amenities in the Roanoke area. Now, a local nonprofit wants to raise money to repair, maintain and improve outdoors spaces so they arent worn down. We run the risk of loving our outdoor assets to death, said Roanoke Outside Foundation Director Pete Eshelman. The foundation started Project Outside, a fundraising campaign aimed at raising money to benefit outdoor amenities in the region. Ask yourself, How often are you using the trails, the rivers, the greenways? And then try to put a dollar value on that, said Eshelman.

ROANOKE, Va. – A fundraising campaign will soon bring money to outdoor assets and businesses in the Roanoke Valley. The Roanoke Outside Foundation, which is a program of the Roanoke Regional Partnership, announced a $100,000 fundraising campaign on Wednesday to “support, develop and foster” outdoor capital improvement projects and businesses. The campaign, called “Project Outside,” will help “fill maintenance funding gaps in projects” and “pool resources to tackle new outdoor infrastructure projects,” according to the Roanoke Outside Foundation. That includes support from Anthem, Carilion Clinic, Freedom First Credit Union, Haley Toyota, Hydro Flask, Member One Federal Credit Union and Orvis. Click here to support the campaign or learn more.

HUDDLESTON, Va. Turtle Island is an easy 1.2 mile hike that leads to an island on Smith Mountain Lake. The hike is located in the Smith Mountain Lake State Park, and cost $7 for parking. You will start at the sign for turtle island, heading to the left. When we were finished, we followed the trail up the middle of the island and took the loop to the left back. If you are heading to Smith Mountain Lake to visit the beach, I highly suggest checking this hike out.

ROANOKE, Va. Its still hot so were hitting the river! Were floating a stretch of the Roanoke River where youll put in at Bridge Street at the Roanoke Greenway parking lot, and pull out at the bridge in front of the River House in Wasena. Once everything is blown up, youll walk down a short path to the river. I promise we checked the forecast before we went- but its a summer in Roanoke, we all know how this story goes! After a little rain this week, it took us about an hour and a half.

ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. – Carvins Cove Nature Reserve has been free throughout the advent of COVID-19, but time is running out to enjoy the water without opening your wallet. Dozens of visitors came out to enjoy Carvins Cove’s last free weekend. Some visitors such as Mark and Maureen Rimer say they will keep coming to the cove, regardless of the cost. “Every time we have come over, we wonder if we have to pay or if we don’t, it’s not really an issue,” Maureen Rimer said. “We figure when it is time to pay, we’ve been here so many times for free that we really owe it to them.”You have to bring your own boat to the reservoir; Carvins Cove has stopped its boat rentals because of COVID-19.

This time, we’re hitting a swimming hole known to the locals as Blue Hole, but is part of Jennings Creek in Arcadia. You’ll park in a little lot right off of Route 614. You’ll then walk to the left back across the bridge that crosses Jennings Creek. When the water is high, this makes for a nice swimming hole as well, but for now we just got our hair wet and moved on. We walked downstream along the bank then over some boulders to make it to the actual Blue Hole.

We decided we were going to float a section of the Cowpasture River just outside Clifton Forge. But due to my lack of patience, I gave up pretty quicklyThe last half hour or so was pretty slow moving as the sun sank lower in the sky. Of course, the timing depends on how fast or slow the river is moving. In this case, the river was very slow and was moving slow. It was a fun way to spend the hot day, and this stretch of river was easy, safe, and anyone can do it.

WILLIS, Va. Buffalo Mountain is a 2.2 mile loop just outside of Floyd that offers gorgeous 360 degree views from its peak. Youll park in the lot for Buffalo Mountain Nature Preserve. After about 15 minutes youll start to see a little ridge through the trees. At about half a mile youll hit the first traverse. On the way back, we took the Ridge Trail, which loops back to the parking area.

SALEM, Va. The Craig Climb at Greenhill Park in Salem is a super short, but steep hike, that anyone can do. Youll park at the very back of the park by the picnic shelter. The trail map signals the start of the climb. At the trail head, Craig Climb is the trail to the right. Follow the trail to the left, and then after a few paces youll head to the right.

The species, which is in appearance, is nearly identical to the Spotted Bass, threatens both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass through competition and hybridization, according to DGIF. Although Alabama Bass, which are native to Alabama and parts of Georgia, can grow somewhat larger than Spotted Bass, DGIF says they have a tendency to become stunted, ultimately creating a fishery dominated by small bass. Here's a comparison between Alabama Bass, Spotted Bass and Largemouth Bass (iNaturalist Angling for Black Bass Conservation Project)DGIF believes that further spread of Alabama Bass may jeopardize bass fisheries in systems such as Smith Mountain Lake, Lake Anna, Lake Moomaw, South Holston Reservoir, the upper James River, and the Shenandoah River. Existing Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass populations saw negative impacts after Alabama Bass entered the water in Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, according to DGIF. Contact DGIF at fisheries@dgif.virginia.gov or at 804 367-1293Anyone with information about intentioal stockings of Alabama Bass should contact DGIF law enforcement at 800-237-5712 or WildCrime@dgif.virginia.gov.

CATAWBA, Va. Sawtooth Ridge is a short but rewarding hike on the Appalachian Trail. On the trail map youll see that youre going to head in the opposite direction to the ridge. That trail will start at the back of the parking lot with the at signs heading south. The terrain of the trail is pretty smooth, as you can see I hiked in my chacos and was fine. For a short hike, this part definitely got our heart rate up!

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries established free fishing days on June 5, 6 and 7, 2020. To increase angling opportunities, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) has removed the restriction to fishing designated stocked trout waters. Virginia’s diversified trout habitat offers a wide range of trout fishing prospects. All fishing regulations including size, season, catch limits, and gear restrictions, will remain in effect. The 2020 Freshwater Fishing and Boating Regulations can be found at the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries website at: www.dgif.virginia.gov/fishing/regulations/.com.

ELLISTON, Va. – Falls Ridge Preserve just outside of Blacksburg has a nice one mile or three mile loop option to get out in nature. You’ll navigate to Falls Ridge Preserve and park in the gravel lot. We headed up a big set of stairs with the sound of the falls in the back. You’ll continue down the trail for a few meters, and come to another bend. Head down the set of stairs we passed earlier, and you’ll be at the bottom of the falls.

CLAYTOR LAKE, Va. – Claytor Lake State Park usually experiences a Memorial Day Weekend rush of people longing for their first taste of summer. Some people decided to make the trek to Claytor Lake, despite social distancing. “We do typically come down to the lake on Memorial Day Weekend," Williams said. They expected the typical Memorial Day Weekend crowd, but were proven wrong when they arrived. Cicadas have started to emerge at the park, and torrential rain from the week filled Claytor Lake with murky water and driftwood.

ROANOKE, Va. – Poor Mountain Hike is a must-see in the Roanoke Valley. You’ll park off of Twelve O’clock Knob Road in the lot of the Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve. We went at the perfect time, a little chilly, but spring has sprung on the mountain. The bottom of the mountain has a nice stream running through and then you’ll take the Piratebush Loop 1.1 miles to the top. Finally, the trail will flatten out as it rounds the top of the mountain.

NARROWS, Va. – The Rice Fields hike is located near Narrows and is a steady five mile out and back hike with stunning views from the top. You’ll park just off of Pocahontas Road on a gravel pull-off, then backtrack a few paces down to the beginning of the Appalachian Trail. This hike is marked with white blazes, and follows the AT 2.5 miles around the mountain. The beginning of the hike traverses back and forth as you steadily ascend. After you’re done basking in the sun and enjoying the view, head back down the way you came.

BEDFORD, Va. – Sharp Top Trail at Peaks of Otter is a 3 mile out and back hike that is frequented by many in the area! The initial ascend it pretty steep, a sign warns to wear suitable hiking footwear. About midway up, the trail turns pretty rocky, with stone stairs helping out the incline. Alas you’ll find yourself with the option to go left to Sharp Top or right to Buzzards Roost. You can climb on top of the rocks to see a nice 360 and look up at the Sharp Top peak as well.

ROANOKE, Va. – Buzzards Rock at the Read Mountain Preserve is located near Cloverdale in a neighborhood right off of U.S. 220. You’ll follow the sign for Buzzards Rock Trail. Shortly after, you’ll come to a fork with a sign for rocky way trail. You’ll want to stay straight to remain on the way to Buzzards Rock. When you see the sign for the view looking across the valley, you’re about a half mile from the top.

ORONOCO, Va. – Cole Mountain hike is located just thirty minutes outside Buena Vista, offering amazing views in an almost 6 mile loop. Look for the entry way with two blue blazes. This is a loop trail that is roughly five miles up, and one mile down back to the parking area. This is where it starts to get a little steep and you’ll start a moderate ascend to a camp site about a half mile later. From there you will follow the blue blazes as you start your descent to the bottom of the mountain.

SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA – As people in Southwest Virginia prepare to get fresh air this weekend, some popular spots are now closed to limit the spread of the new coronavirus (COVID-19). Matthew Webb, a 19-year-old student from North Carolina, drove all the way to Virginia to camp along the Appalachian Trail this weekend. Hiking and biking trails will stay open, but you need to stay in groups less than 10 people. The U.S. Forest Service temporarily closed all trail heads, facilities and access points to the Appalachian Trail (AT). “But I’ll live with it.”Different cities and towns across southwest Virginia have made different decisions about whether or not to close playgrounds or parks, so it’s important to check before you go.

EAGLE ROCK, Va. – About six miles off of 220 north lies Roaring Run. The hike is an out and back 1.7 miler that is dog friendly and a popular trail year round. To access the hike, park in the lot and walk along the gravel road until you see the information board. There’s options to do a few different routes, but we went with the most popular one and followed the arrows to Roaring Run Falls. And there’s no need, the view is beautiful from the overlook, nestled between brown rocks, moss, and trees.

ROANOKE, Va. – Due to heavy, soaking rain that led to flooding last week and this weekend, a major portion of the Roanoke River Greenway stretching from Wasena Park to Bennington Park is closed. More rain is on the way and conditions don’t look like they’ll be improving over the next few days, so it’s not clear when this section of the greenway will reopen. Crews won’t be able to clear the mud and debris until the rain lets up and water levels go back down. So where can you go in the meantime? PLAY Roanoke suggests checking out the Mill Mountain Greenway, Lick Run Greenway, the open sections of Roanoke River Greenway (Bridge Street to Wasena or Aerial Way/Blue Ridge Drive), or the trails at Countryside Park.

ROANOKE, Va. – Saturday night’s storms gave way to a clear and sunny Sunday, and people took to the Roanoke River Greenway to take advantage of it. Temperatures reached the 60s in Roanoke Sunday afternoon, which is unseasonably warm for the region at this time of the year. The runoff from Saturday night’s storms made the water under the bridge connecting Wasena and Smith parks too dangerous for cars. However, pedestrians and bikers were still able to enjoy the greenway and the weather. It’s a lot like Colorado," said Kevin and Jeannie Edwards, who experienced the greenway for the first time on Sunday.

The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries is conducting mandatory Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) sampling on Saturday. CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects deer. On Saturday, there are two “disease management” areas. If you kill a deer in these areas, you’ll need to comply with the sampling:Disease Management Area 1 Clarke, Frederick, Shenandoah and Warren counties Find a sampling location hereDisease Management Area 2 Culpeper, Madison and Orange counties Find a sampling location hereDGIF reminds hunters that whole deer carcasses killed within a disease management area cannot be transported out of that area. Also, the Centers for Disease Control recommends that all deer killed in areas known to be infected with CWD be tested prior to consumption.