Carvins Cove
Carvins Cove Natural Reserve is a significant natural area covering approximately 12,700 acres located just north of the city of Roanoke, Virginia. At its heart is the 630-acre Carvins Cove Reservoir, which was created in mid-1940 by damming Carvins Creek. This reservoir serves as the primary source for drinking water for much of the Roanoke Valley.
Over 11,363 acres of surrounding land is protected by the largest conservation easement in Virginia’s history, ensuring its natural state for future generations. Not only does Carvins Cove provide drinking water, but it’s a popular recreational area for the region. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy a wide array of activities including hiking, mountain biking, trail running, horseback riding, boating, and fishing.
The reserve features a mix of hardwood and evergreen forests, rugged canyons, and the prominent ridgeline of Brushy Mountain, which rises high above the lake. The diverse habitats support a variety of wildlife, including deer, wild turkey, various bird species (including bald eagles, osprey, and migratory waterfowl), and even black bears.
Fees and Amenities
The main reserve entrance has a $7 parking fee for standard vehicles, more for trailers. Passes can also purchased online and at designated parking lot drop boxes.
Carvins Cove and its trails are generally open year-round, with specific hours for the boat landing that vary by season.
Restrooms are available at the main entrance and the second I walked in I was transported back to my childhood and changing into my swimsuit in the bathhouse at Hungry Mother State Park. The sense of smell can trigger memories and the scent of damp concrete fondly takes me back to that bathhouse.
About the Ride
Our ride was broken into two parts, the first very short ride is not included in the recap below. Prior to driving to the main reserve parking lot, we drove to a trailhead that we thought would connect to the fire roads on which we wanted to ride, but it was a mountain bike trail and far too technical for my skill level. In less than a quarter mile I realized the trail difficulty level was well above my skill set so we turned around.
After driving to the main entrance we were able to get on the fire roads I’d run on back in the fall of 2021. The fire roads were much easier to navigate, yet plenty technical with lots of washed out gullies and areas of loose gravel. Our bikes enabled us to ride much farther than I explored on foot!
We were somewhat protected from the sun by the thick leafed-out hardwoods providing mottled shade. The scenery along the trail was quite pretty, but our timing had us missing any blooming flowers that may have lined the trail in the spring. The view as we rode past the reservoir was lovely and the cleared power line right-of-way provided an unexpected lake view. We had hoped to climb the fire road for a view from the top of Brushy Mountain, but limited time precluded us from making the ride up the mountain.
Ride Overview
- • Location: Carvins Cove
- • Course Type: out and back
- • Course Surface: gravel
- • Bike: Salsa Warbird
- • Distance: 17.45 miles
- • Time: 2:12:13
- • Average Speed: 7.9 MPH
- • Maximum Speed: 17.7 MPH
- • Elevation Gain: 1,575 feet
- • Elevation Range: 1,187 to 1,322 feet
- • Weather: 81° and mostly sunny, climbing to 83°
- • Date of ride: June 10, 2025
Fun Pictures Along the Way
The weather was beautiful when we pulled into Carvins Cove Natural Reserve.
After a quick check of the map, we devised a simple out-and-back route and headed out on our ride.
After riding a short distance on a paved road through a camping area, we turned onto the Happy Valley Trail, an easy (round green blaze) multiuse trail.
As my husband followed me up our first climb, he noticed I was bouncing around a bit and suggested airing down my tires. No picture, but after he let some air out of my tires my ride was much smoother.
The trail type and conditions changed several times during our ride and I particularly liked this section of grassy double track.
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This surface was more typical of the fire roads we encountered.
Most roads and trails were open to hikers, mountain and gravel cyclists, trail runners, and horses. We stopped to let these horses by, the only we saw while on our ride.
At the end of the Happy Valley Trail, we rode up the Brushy Mountain Trail for a short distance to check it out; however, time was running short and we weren’t be able to ride to the top and out the ridge of Brushy Mountain.
The lower section of Brushy Mountain Trail was extremely washed out, but due to our tight schedule we weren’t able to ride up any farther to see if conditions improved.
Once off the Brushy Mountain Trail we turned and made the return trip to our car on the Happy Valley Trail.
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The cleared power line easement provided a beautiful surprise view of the reservoir and mountain peak in the distance, the sun and clouds just enhanced the beauty.
A little farther down the trail the lake came back into view.
Back at the Happy Valley trailhead there was a bike repair station and trail conditions sign which I hadn’t photographed earlier.
Garmin Stats
Post-ride Garmin…
Garmin map and elevation graph…
Final Thoughts on the Rides
This was a great detour for my husband and me as we drove across the Commonwealth of Virginia. We had a great ride once we got on the appropriate trails. At 91 feet of climbing per mile this ride (1,575 feet over 17.45 miles) was plenty challenging even though it was on the shorter side for us.
Questions
- • Have you heard of Carvins Cove? ~ Even as a Virginian I hadn’t heard of Carvins Cove until several years ago when I started seeing social media posts of people running there.
- • Have you ever done a mid-trip workout during a mundane drive? ~ We’ve stopped a few times over the years to either run, walk, or ride our bikes while driving to and from the farm.
- • Do you stop and relax occasionally to fuel or take pictures, or barrel on through when on a long run or ride? ~ pictures, always pictures, unless I’m racing
’m linking up with Zenaida of The Running Teacher and Jenn from Runs with Pugs for Tuesday topics Link-Up. Be sure to check out not only the hosts’ posts, but those of the other great bloggers joining in on the fun!
What a great way to break up a long car ride to the farm!
Carvins Cove looks like a great place for some active fun. The mix of shaded trails, gravel, grassy double track, and those gorgeous reservoir views make it sound like a real adventure (even if Brushy Mountain kept her summit to herself this time!).
91 feet of climbing per mile is no joke, especially with summer temps creeping up!
Do you think you’d go back and try for the ridgeline view next time, or was this a one-time pit stop?
I would like to go to Carvins Cove again and tackle Brushy Mountain Trail when we have more time. There are so many great places to explore between our home and the farm, but we’re usually just so focused on getting to one place or the other that we don’t take the time to stop. I think next time we’ll ride some of the routes we like near the farm, but have ridden for a few years.