Radford, VA – Radford University has been voted the 2025 Top Adventure College by Blue Ridge Outdoors. Radford University rose above 31 other schools in a bracket-style voting competition spanning the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. After thousands of votes and a final-round face-off with two-time winner East Tennessee State University, Radford claimed the top spot – fueled by a campus culture that celebrates the outdoors.
Located in the heart of Virginia’s New River Valley, Radford offers unrivaled access to outdoor recreation. The historic New River runs along the edge of campus, and the surrounding region is packed with opportunities for hiking, biking, climbing, paddling, caving, and more. Within minutes, students can explore Wildwood Park, fish or kayak on the New River, or hit the trails in Jefferson National Forest and the Appalachian Trail. It’s a natural playground that blends seamlessly with student life.
Radford’s student-led RU Outdoors program encourages students to connect with the outdoors through group hikes, bike rides around town, or weekend climbing trips. The region’s beauty and accessibility make it easy for students to get outside, build community, and develop a lifelong love of adventure, all while earning their degree in one of Virginia’s most scenic and inspiring settings.
Discover Virginia’s New River Valley here.
Read the Blue Ridge Outdoors article here.
Onward NRV: Onward NRV is a public/private, regional economic development organization whose mission is to attract and retain world class jobs, investment, and talent in Virginia’s New River Valley. It’s also a movement where leaders from business, government, and higher education work together to promote the economic vitality of the region.
