Mill Mountain Park
Mill Mountain Park is one of the region’s most distinguished parks. Home to the famous Roanoke Star, Roanoke Parks and Recreation’s Discovery Center and Mill Mountain Zoo, Mill Mountain Park is a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike. Spanning 568 acres, the regional park is occasionally reserved for private events, including parties and weddings. Located beside the Blue Ridge Parkway, the park is easily accessible by road or trail.
Mill Mountain Park Amenities:
- 33 x 35 ft Picnic Shelter with 6 Tables and 2 Grills
- Two Mountain Overlooks
- 10 Miles of Multi-Use Trails
- Mill Mountain Wildflower Garden
- Outdoor Classroom
- Playground
- Restrooms
- Discovery Center
- Mill Mountain Zoo
- Roanoke Star
- Greenway Access
THE ROANOKE STAR
On Nov. 23, 1949, the iconic Roanoke Star was lit up for the first time. Since then, Roanoke has earned the nickname as the “Star City.” At 88.5 feet tall and 10,000 lbs, the star is illuminated by 2,000 feet of neon tubing. The Roanoke Star in Mill Mountain Park has been distinguished as being the largest free-standing star in the world and is a symbol of Roanoke’s ambition for progress and innovation.
DISCOVERY CENTER
The Mill Mountain Discovery Center is Roanoke Parks and Recreation’s newest recreation center, most commonly used for Nature Education programs. The Discovery Center features a beautiful wildflower garden, as well as interactive educational exhibits and live creatures.
MILL MOUNTAIN WILDFLOWER GARDEN
In 1971, the City of Roanoke asked the Mill Mountain Garden Club to develop a 2.5-acre wildflower garden on Mill Mountain. The volunteer gardeners have contributed more than 50,000 club member hours of work and have cultivated a beautiful garden atop Mill Mountain. In recent years, a water feature has been added as well as a small outdoor amphitheater.
Printable Trail Map
Mill Mountain Trails
Mill Mountain is home to plenty of multi-use trails, including terrific mountain biking, hiking and trail running. Hikers can use all of the trails. Mountain bikers are welcome to ride on all of the trails except for: Watchtower Trail and Star Trail. Equestrian riders are welcome to use all of the trails except for: Crystal Spring Trail, Watchtower Trail and Star Trail.
Easy: Green Circle Trails
Easy Trails: Green circle
These trails are appropriate for novice through advanced users. The trails generally follow obvious, well-marked trails and roads. Grades are gentle and only minor obstacles will be encountered.
- Watchtower Trail: Red blaze, hiker only, easy, 0.22 miles long
- Crystal Spring Trail: Light Green blaze, hike and bike only, easy, 0.61 miles long
More Difficult: Blue Square Trails
More Difficult Trails: Blue Square
These routes are appropriate for intermediate through advanced users. Terrain will be steeper and narrower. Obstacles such as rocks and loose stone will be encountered.
- Monument Trail: White blaze, multi-use, more difficult, 1.55 miles long
- Star Trail: Yellow blaze, hiker only, more difficult, 1.38 miles long
- Star-Woodthrush Connector Trail: Dark Green blaze, multi-use, more difficult, 0.24 miles long
- Woodthrush Trail: Orange blaze, multi-use, more difficult, 1.9 miles long
- Sidewinder Trail: Red blaze, multi-use, more difficult, 0.53 miles long
- Virginia Pine Trail: Dark Blue blaze, multi-use, easy/more difficult, NEED MILEAGE FROM GIS
- Ridgeline Trail: Purple blaze, multi-use, more difficult, 1.26 miles long
- Riser Trail: Pink blaze, multi-use, more difficult, 0.31 miles long
- Big Sunny Trail: Light Blue blaze, multi-use, more difficult, 0.73 miles long
Very Difficult: Black Diamond Trails
Very Difficult Trails: Black Diamond
These routes are recommended for physically fit users with technical skill. The terrain is steep and difficult obstacles will be encountered.
- Understory Trail: Royal blue blaze, multiuse, most difficult, 0.38 miles long.
Mill Mountain Greenway
Mill Mountain Greenway is a mixture of separated and paved, shared-use path and on-road connections that link Downtown Roanoke with the Star on Mill Mountain.
Know Before You Go with Statusfy trail and greenway alerts! Statusfy is an informational alert system meant to keep users informed. Statusfy allows users to view active and ongoing alerts (including short-term maintenance closures, long-term construction closures, flooding, detours, or event alerts). Note: Statusfy is not designed to inform users of current trail conditions or emergency situations. If you encounter an emergency in our parks, trails, or greenways – call 911.
