To Avoid the Blue Ridge Parkway
From Downtown Roanoke: Off of I-581 North take exit 6, turn left onto Elm Avenue, to third stop light. Turn right on 13th Street (changes to Bennington Ave. along the river), follow to the round about at the intersection with Riverland Road (Route 116) circling clockwise all the way around the intersection to head eastbound. Immediately take next left turn onto Rutrough Road (Route 658); continue 4.5 miles to the Explore Park Service Entrance on your left just past the little stone church.
On a phone or GPS navigation system: List your destination as 3900 Rutrough Road SE. Roanoke, VA 24014
To Rutrough Point (Roanoke River Access)
From Downtown Roanoke: Off of I-581 North take exit 6, turn left onto Elm Avenue, to third stop light. Turn right on 13th Street (changes to Bennington Ave. along the river), follow to the round about at the intersection with Riverland Road (Route 116) circling clockwise all the way around the intersection to head eastbound. Immediately take next left turn onto Rutrough Road (Route 658); continue to the end of Rutrough Road, which dead-ends at the Roanoke River and Back Creek.
By the Blue Ridge Parkway: Take the Blue Ridge Parkway from Routes 220, 460, or 24 and follow the signs to Virginia’s Explore Park at milepost 115. Turn onto the Roanoke River Parkway, which is the entrance to Explore Park. Upon entering Explore Park stay to your right on the service road until you reach Rutrough Road. Take a left onto Rutrough Road and follow to the end. Rutrough dead-ends at the Roanoke River and Back Creek.