Blue Ridge Outdoors

For over 19 years, Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine has served as the ultimate resource for outdoor sports, wellness, and adventure travel across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. With monthly distribution stretching from Baltimore to Atlanta, BRO has become the leading regional magazine focused on outdoor activities in the United States.

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The Goods: The Perfect Pitch

3 weeks ago | blueridgeoutdoors.com | Doug Schnitzspahn

The North FaceWawona 6The perfect family camping tent, the Wawona 6 offers enough room to accommodate the whole brood and to be able stand up inside—and the big vestibule can house gear and shoes and serve as a place to play card games. Best of all, color-coded poles make setting it up a snap and a good opportunity for younger kids to learn how to help. This roomy shelter is also the ideal base for any group at a festival or big event.
Searching for the Sound

3 weeks ago | blueridgeoutdoors.com | Eric Wallace

The hills are alive with the sound of music. From traditional bluegrass bands picking tunes on outdoor stages to rock bands jamming in intimate clubs and theaters, the Blue Ridge region is bustling with excellent live music venues. Read on to discover eight great spots that pair top-notch lineups with scenic settings.
Best of Fests: Festival Guide 2025

3 weeks ago | blueridgeoutdoors.com | Jedd Ferris

The Blue Ridge is full of fun festivals—outdoor events in incredibly scenic locations featuring loads of live music, local food and craft beer, art vendors, and opportunities to play in the mountains. To find the outdoor party that’s right for you, here’s an extended calendar of the region’s best fests.
The Goods: Celebrating the Classics

2 months ago | blueridgeoutdoors.com | Doug Schnitzspahn

Battenkill Reel and Graphite RodsIn 1995: Fly fishing was hot in the mid-90s thanks in a big part to the 1992 film A River Runs Through It, which starred Brad Pitt and sent aspiring anglers to freshwater streams across the nation. Orvis was there with both the reliable click-and-pawl Battenkill reel and sensitive graphite rods.
Trail Mix: Our Favorite Songs in March

Mar 7, 2025 | blueridgeoutdoors.com | Jedd Ferris |Dave Stallard

Every month our editors curate a playlist of new music, mainly focusing on independent artists from the South. In March, we’re highlighting new tunes from My Morning Jacket and Lucy Dacus. Craig Finn “People of Substance”The front man of the Hold Steady has a new solo album in the hopper, with “Always Been” coming into the world on April 4.
2025 Peak Gear Awards

Mar 7, 2025 | blueridgeoutdoors.com | Doug Schnitzspahn

RedingtonEDC 9-foot 5# Fly Rod$330; redington.comWhy It Won: Redington’s new series of “Everyday Carry” (EDC) rods, which include 4–8-weights, felt sweet and responsive on the river. That performance is thanks to a nano resin that gives the rod strength and suppleness, making it a worthy tool both for gently presenting dries and fighting that big hog. For the most versatility, we choose the 9-foot, 5-weight rod, which is perfect for trout on Blue Ridge streams.
Family Basecamps

Mar 4, 2025 | blueridgeoutdoors.com | Eric Wallace

When winter breaks and the weather turns warm, it’s time to dust off the camping gear and plan a trip to the mountains. And with plenty of wide-open public lands, the Blue Ridge region is chock full of great options—though some are more kid-friendly than others. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. From lux glamping to primitive sites in a picturesque forest, these six campgrounds bring amenities and destination-worthy outdoor adventures that offer something for everyone.
Trail Mix: Our Favorite Songs in January

Jan 17, 2025 | blueridgeoutdoors.com | Jedd Ferris |Dave Stallard

Guided by Voices “Fly Religion”Robert Pollard can’t be stopped. The leader of Guided by Voices keeps cranking out tunes for the long-running indie rock pioneers, and this one comes from the band’s 41st album, “Universe Room,” which comes out next month. As expected, “Fly Religion” is a guitar-heavy banger, with Uncle Bob sharing one of his blurry, beer-soaked visions, before the song—a succinct two minutes—trails off in distorted bliss.
Blue Ridge All-Stars

Dec 7, 2024 | blueridgeoutdoors.com | Eric Wallace |Lauren Stepp

By Eric WallaceThe sun had yet to rise when ultrarunner Canyon Woodward began to jog south on the Appalachian Trail from Tennessee’s Davenport Gap on a summer 2022, record-setting attempt at the Smokies Challenge Adventure Run (SCAR). The notorious 73-mile route passes through Great Smoky Mountains National Park along the spine of 6,000-plus-foot peaks and features a grueling 35,000 feet of elevation change. And Woodward was taking it on alone and unsupported.
Rapid Response

Nov 28, 2024 | blueridgeoutdoors.com | Mike Bezemek

“I saw some pretty devastating things,” said Andrew Wilmot, a swift-water rescue instructor for the Nantahala Outdoor Center. On September 27, violent floodwaters related to Hurricane Helene were sweeping across western North Carolina. Wilmot was asked to fill a spot on a search and rescue team heading north to the swollen Pigeon River. “When the Pigeon was cresting, it felt like an earthquake with the boulders tumbling,” he recalled.