Location
Welcome Home
Nestled in foothills of Virginia’s majestic Blue Ridge Mountains, Southern Virginia University’s beautiful campus is home to a friendly and engaging community whose collective motto is Love One Another.
“This Campus Has Serenity Conducive to Learning…”
“…not all campuses have such a sense of peace. I think that’s why the Lord chose mountain tops and sacred groves for his teachings. When the rush, noises, and pressure of everyday life do not distract us, we can more easily connect with the Spirit of the Lord.”
Elder Ronald A. Rasband, Sept. 16, 2016
Outdoor Activities
Good Views Only
Experience life in the heart of Virginia’s idyllic Shenandoah Valley, where you are surrounded by vibrant green hills, rolling rivers, and charming red brick towns. Even our town Buena Vista means “good view” in Spanish—but in truth, the views are spectacular.
A National Park in Your Backyard
Explore the wonders of our nearby Shenandoah National Park—home to the world-famous Appalachian Trail with its picturesque hikes, sparkling waterfalls, and quiet caves—one of the most photographed places in America.
With so much to do in our surrounding area, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Use the menu below to find popular locales based on activity, or check out our Top 10 Student-Favorite Outdoor Activities.
Dinky Hill
The trails behind the Lofts wrap around Dinky Hill
The Chessie Trail
Trail begins by Hwy 60 in Buena Vista at the bridge that crosses the Maury
Reservoir Hollow Trail
Trail begins at 12th street
The Flood Wall
Entrance at 21st or 10th street
Bluff Mountain
20-minute drive to trailhead
Appalachian Trail
20-minute drive to access
House Mountain
30-minute drive to trailhead
The Devil’s Marbleyard
30-minute drive to trailhead
Mount Pleasant
40-minute drive to trailhead
Cole Mountain
40-minute drive to trailhead
Spy Rock
40-minute drive to trailhead
Sharp Top
45-minute drive to trailhead
McAfee Knob
1-hour drive to trailhead
Dragon’s Tooth
1-hour drive to trailhead
Tinker Cliffs
1-hour drive to trailhead
Natural Bridge State Park
20-minute drive
The Foot Bridge
30-minute drive
High Bridge Trail State Park
2-hour drive
Statons Creek Falls
20-minute drive
Panther Falls
30-minute drive to trailhead
Crabtree Falls
45-minute drive to trailhead
Falling Spring
1-hour drive
Lake Robertson Recreation
30-minute drive to campsite
Otter Creek
30-minute drive to campsite
Peaks of Otter
45-minute drive to campsite
Blue Ridge Parkway
8-minute drive to access point
Route 39: Appalachian Waters Scenic Byway
10-minute drive to access point
Ben Salem Wayside
5-minute drive
Jordan’s Point Park
12-minute drive
Cave Mountain Lake Recreation
35-minute drive
Douthat State Park
45-minute drive
Our Virginia Home
Fall in Love with Virginia
You can have it all. The Commonwealth of Virginia is home to large metro areas, small quiet towns, and everything between. The state’s breathtaking mountains, ancient forests, and sandy beaches are all accentuated by four distinct seasons. There’s a reason Virginia is for Lovers.
Adventure is Less Than a Day Away
Some of the nation’s largest cities and must-see destinations are less than a day’s drive away. Whether you’re driving to New York City for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, attending the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C., or spending the weekend at Virginia Beach, you will never run out of places to see and things to do.
Cradle of the Restoration
Study the early history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in-person at the original gathering places for the Saints: Palmyra, Kirtland, and Nauvoo.
Discover History
Connect with our nation’s history in the places where it was made. See some of our nation’s earliest settlements as well as famous sites of the American Revolution and Civil War.
