Discover adventure in our backyard

ETSU named 2023 Top Adventure College by Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine

JOHNSON CITY (May 11, 2023) – East Tennessee State University has been named the 2023 Top Adventure College by readers of Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine, besting numerous other colleges and universities.


The annual tournament is organized in a bracket-style format, with the end goal of naming a winner as the best outdoor adventure college or university in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.


ETSU came out on top after multiple rounds of head-to-head matchups with competitors such as Clemson University, the University of Tennessee, Virginia Tech and previous winner Maryville College.


Set in an outdoor lover's paradise, ETSU’s main campus is surrounded by the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway, Roan Mountain State Park and the Cherokee National Forest. It is also bordered by numerous lakes, rivers and hiking trails, including more than 100 miles of the Appalachian Trail.


Although the area has plenty to explore, opportunities for outdoor adventure abound right on campus. The five-mile University Woods and Trail System is open for hiking, running and mountain biking. Members of the campus community can take on a new challenge at the nine-hole disc golf course or tackle the Basler Team Challenge and Aerial Adventure Course, featuring climbing, rappelling and bouldering.

  • Aerial view of ETSU
  • Kayaking on Watagua Lake
  • On top of the Balds
  • Hiking to the top of the balds
  • Basler Team Challenge and Aerial Adventure Course
  • Ice skating on ETSU Campus
  • Downtown Johnson City


Located in the Basler Center for Physical Activity, the Outdoor Adventure Center offers gear and bike rentals and hosts frequent group outings, such as backpacking and whitewater rafting trips.


In addition to recreational fun, ETSU is committed to providing outdoor education and research opportunities for students, allowing them to go beyond the classroom.

Students interested in solving environmental problems, exploring geography, studying the environment and conservation efforts and working in fields such as community recreation, state and national parks or the outdoor recreation industry have access to a curriculum that is innovative and hands-on.


The ETSU Gray Fossil Site and Museum allows students to gain real-life experience. This world-class paleontological site just a few miles away from ETSU’s main campus preserves a one-of-a-kind window into the Appalachian Highlands and makes for an invaluable educational resource.

ETSU also offers a unique curriculum through the Park and Recreation Management Program. The program gives students the opportunity to receive instruction and training in the planning, organization, leadership and management of park and recreation agencies and programs. This course of study allows students to match their passion for the outdoors with their academic career.


ETSU continues to foster an outdoor adventure culture and is focused on providing students with enriching, out-of-class experiences.


To learn more about outdoor adventure at ETSU, visit etsu.edu/students/campusrec/oa. For more information about Top Adventure College and Blue Ridge Outdoors, visit blueridgeoutdoors.com.