Edmee CR Hasler
Contributing writer
The city of Salem and Roanoke County came together on Feb. 29, for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the expansion of the McAfee Knob Trailhead Shuttle service into Salem. Speakers at the event included Phil North and Martha Hooker from the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors, Renee Turk from the Salem City Council, Dr. Ray Smoot from the Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board, Ed Clark from the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Lisa Sink from Ride Source.
McAfee Knob overlook is one of the Appalachian Trail’s most photographed spots, drawing in approximately 50,000 hikers annually. “The National Park Service has for many years kept an eye on rising visitation rates, the impacts on the Appalachian Trail, as well as the constraints on parking capacity,” remarked Phil North. “Hikers will now have additional parking options and access to the shuttle right here at Longwood Park, as well as at the South Broad Street parking lot. Thanks to VDOT, other new shuttle stops include the Orange Market Park and Ride and Route 311 near the Dragon’s Tooth Trailhead, which will be open in April,” North added.
To make this project a reality, Roanoke County secured funding through a grant from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) in 2022. In 2023, additional funding was obtained to extend shuttle services into Salem, with new stops at Longwood Park and 101 South Broad Street. “For many years we have faced the dilemma of limited parking capacity at the McAfee Knob trailhead parking lot. Working together allows localities to combine their ideas and resources to solve problems in a more thorough way,” Martha Hooker said.
“This expansion is only made possible because of the collaboration with the City of Salem and the many partner organizations and government agencies dedicated to not only help hikers reach McAfee Knob, but also to improve their experience from first step to last,” Hooker added. “The investment in transit helps offer a sense of excitement and convenience for visitors, encouraging them to return and promotes tourism for our region,” Hooker added.
Salem hiker Brian Boggs, who rode one of the first small shuttles after the ribbon cutting, said “the bus is extremely comfortable and holds a maximum of nine hikers.”
The McAfee Knob Trailhead Shuttle resumed service on March 1, and will run through Dec. 1. Passengers can make reservations at www.McAfeeShuttle.com, with tickets priced at $5.
Photos by Edmee CR Hasler
