Belspring is a countryside retreat not far from employers and shopping
Bordered by the New River and within sight of Virginia’s Appalachian Mountains, Belspring offers a rural atmosphere only 6 miles from Radford. “It’s a little bit quieter, a little bit slower paced, yet still convenient to all the shopping and job opportunities,” says Brian Juanarena, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Townside Realtors who’s sold homes in the area since 2009. Belspring is a short drive from national retailers and major employers like Radford University and the Radford Army Ammunition Plant, but the community itself is a peaceful area of rolling farmland that makes the city seem farther away.
Ranch-style homes surrounded by pastures and open space
Most homes here are ranch-style houses, manufactured homes or farmhouses that have views of the surrounding pastures and distant mountains. “It’s rolling hills — it’s really pretty out there,” Juanarena says. “There are a lot of farms out there, and then there are some small neighborhoods.” The neighborhood around Belspring’s center has a rural feel, with space between neighbors and the surrounding farmland giving a feel of open space. The median home sale price is around $130,000, lower than the national median. Properties near the river can have a high risk of flooding.
Fishing access and trails on the New River and Claytor Lake
The New River borders the community and is known for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. “Fishing on the New River is fantastic if you like largemouth, smallmouth, carp and catfish,” Juanarena says. The closest public river access is just to the north in Parrott. Scarrette’s Plaza Cinema in Fairlawn shows new movies and cult classics. Radford is home to several parks, including the riverfront Bisset Park, which has river trails, sports fields and a playground. Located around 14 miles away, Claytor Lake State Park is a popular summer hangout that has a swimming area and 7 miles of hiking trails.
Nearby stores and restaurants in Fairlawn
The closest restaurants and stores are in Fairlawn and Radford. In Fairlawn, restaurants are concentrated around state Route 11. Amid a variety of fast-food options, Hank’s Drive-In is a locally owned standout that’s known for burgers and hot dogs. Sal’s Jr. offers Italian comfort food and New York-style pizza in a casual atmosphere. Kroger and Walmart provide groceries, while Lowe’s Home Improvement and Rural King sell home maintenance and farming supplies.
Country roads lead to Radford and Blacksburg
Belspring is a car-reliant community with country roads. Belspring Road leads around 6 miles to Radford, and Blacksburg is a 17-mile drive. While the area can see some snow during the winter, Juanarena says that the roads are rarely impacted. “We rarely have a storm that’s bad enough to keep you hunkered down for very long because they’re pretreating the roads out here and they’re scraping constantly,” he says. Houses of worship here include Belspring United Methodist Church and Belspring Baptist Church. Carillon New River Valley Medical Center is 11 miles away, and Roanoke-Blacksburg Airport is a 48-mile drive.
Pulaski County Public Schools serve the area
Kids can attend Pulaski County Public Schools, a district that earns an overall rating of B-minus from Niche. They can start at the B-minus-rated Riverlawn Elementary and then go to the C-plus-rated Pulaski County Middle. At the C-plus-rated Pulaski County High, students can enroll in over 20 career and technical education programs, including cosmetology, robotics and animal science.
The New River Valley Fair celebrates the area’s agriculture
The New River Valley Fair in nearby Dublin has six days of carnival rides and entertainment. The fair highlights the region’s agriculture and hosts livestock competitions, as well as a pet show, where pets can compete for awards like Best Tail-Wagger and Best Trick. Other fair events include a demolition derby, a horse pull and a rodeo.
Impacts of living near the Radford Army Ammunition Plant
Belspring is around 7 miles away from the Radford Army Ammunition Plant and sits downriver from the facility. The plant, which makes rocket and gun propellants, is a major employer in the area. Residents may be able to hear munitions testing, and there have been instances of river pollution from the plant.
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Written By
Annie Franklin
