Carvins Cove Natural Reserve Fees

Daily and yearly passes can be purchased in-person or online. Fees are not refundable; however, the Authority does have a raincheck policy for some fees.

• Limit two cars per household per yearly pass
• Daily entrance fee: $7.00 per vehicle per day
• Yearly pass: $50.00 per vehicle yearly
• Equestrian Trailer:  $10 per day / $75 yearly pass

Boating fees must be purchased in-person. 

Visit our Boating and Fishing page

Boat Rental Fees: (includes paddles and required PFD)

• Single Kayak:  One hour: $10; Two hours: $15; Four Hours:  $25
• Double Kayak:  One hour: $15; Two hours: $20; Four Hours:  $30
• Row Boats and Jon Boats:  $5 per hour or $25 per day

Welcome to Carvins Cove.  For the safety of all our guests, we ask that you review these basic rules before you visit Carvins Cove.  Please note that there are some specific regulations for boating and fishing that can be reviewed in those sections of our website.

Located in the beautiful mountains of Botetourt and Roanoke Counties, Carvins Cove Natural Reserve is the second largest municipal park in the United States. This 12,700 acre park’s watershed and reservoir supply drinking water for the majority of the Roanoke Valley.

Over 60-miles of trails and service roads in the park are available for hiking, biking and horseback riding. The terrain is moderately to steeply sloped with an elevation gain of more than 1,000 feet from the reservoir to the peaks of the surrounding mountains. Cell phone reception is not available in many areas of the natural reserve.  Carvins Cove is a wilderness area, and you may encounter wildlife, including bears, during your visit. Bear proof trash cans are located at the boat landing and picnic shelters. Please pick-up or pack-out your trash. 

Rules and user fees help provide recreational opportunities for visitors while still maintaining the safest, highest quality drinking water possible.

• Visitors age 16 or under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
• Safety education is recommended before engaging in paddling activities at Carvins Cove.
• Your dog is welcome in the park, but they must remained leashed at all times. Please help take care of the watershed by picking up all waste from your dogs and horses.
• There are two picnic shelters available at the Carvins Cove Boat Landing. The smaller of the two is open to all guests during park hours.  The large picnic shelter can be reserved for a daily rental fee. For details and reservations, please see our Reservations, Passes & Permits Page.
• Swimming and camping are not permitted at Carvins Cove.
• Campfires are prohibited.  (NOTE:  per Virginia Department of Forestry guildlines, charcoal grills are not available until May 1 due to increased fire risk.)
• Alcohol is prohibited at Carvins Cove. 
• For the safety of our visitors, personal drone use is prohibited within the Carvins Cove Natural Reserve. Commercial drone operators must get written permission from the Western Virginia Water Authority (www.westernvawater.org/contactus) before being permitted to fly within the watershed.
• Check out these safety tips for hiking provided by the National Park Service.

Tucked away in the mountains of Botetourt and Roanoke Counties and close to Hollins University, Carvins Cove Natural Reserve covers 12,700 acres and includes a man-made reservoir and abundant protected forestland. Rainfall drains from the 11,200 acre watershed into Carvins Cove Reservoir.

Water from the reservoir is treated at the Carvins Cove Water Treatment Facility which filters around 10 million gallons of water per day for customers of the Western Virginia Water Authority.

While the reservoir and land immediately surrounding the reservoir are owned by the Western Virginia Water Authority, the City of Roanoke owns the land above the 1200 foot contour line. It is noted as the second largest city-owned park in the United States. In 2009 a donation of a two-part conservation easement to permanently protect 11,363 acres of Carvins Cove Natural Reserve was finalized.

Carvins Cove Natural Reserve includes several different forested natural communities, perennial and intermittent streams, and the reservoir--all of which provide diverse wildlife habitats. In addition to providing a haven for wildlife, Carvins Cove offers access to recreational amenities, supported by a small fee, including over 60 miles of trails, a boat launch, picnic area, fishing platforms and restrooms. 

You may also enjoy:

Carvins Cove History
Carvins Cove Photo Gallery