Located just seven miles from the north side of Roanoke, Carvins Cove Natural Reserve contains more than 12,000 acres of both hardwood and mixed pine forests, a 630-acre reservoir, and 60 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Visitors can bring their own kayaks or canoes, but they’re also available for rent, along with paddleboats, on site.
More than 11,200 acres of Carvins Cove Natural Reserve is protected by the largest conservation easement in Virginia’s history. Roanoke’s Carvins Cove is a vital piece of Virginia’s green infrastructure and also a source of fresh water. Rainfall drains from the natural reserve into the beautiful Carvins Cove reservoir. The reservoir’s water is treated, and 10-million gallons of water is filtered each day for customers of the Western Virginia Water Authority, who manages the Cove’s boat dock and reservoir access.
