The Bedford area offers a complete leisure services for residents and visitors alike. The Blue Ridge Parkway, one of America's most scenic roads, is surrounded by campgrounds, picnic areas, hiking and overlook trails. Just 10-miles from the Town of Bedford are the Peaks of Otter, too. Also, the James River and stocked mountain trout streams are available, including many in the Jefferson National Forest in western Bedford County.

Bedford is the site for the National D-Day Memorial, honoring American soldiers and allies who were killed at Normandy. Bedford was chosen because it was the community that sustained the highest per capita loss of lives during the invasion.

Bedford County is located in the Virginia Mountains region just east of the Roanoke metropolitan area. The scenic Blue Ridge Mountains make up the county's western border, and the James River forms the northeast boundary. The beautiful 23,000-acre Smith Mountain Lake is situated to the south offering numerous recreational opportunities with 500 miles of shoreland!