Our headquarters are located in the Observatory Mountain Engineering Research Facility (OMERF), the former UVA nuclear reactor. From UVA Grounds, take McCormick Road uphill, past the OHill dining hall, Slaughter Recreation Center, and the Lile-Maupin, Watson-Webb, and Balz-Dobie dorms. Turn right onto Old Reservoir Road. The OMERF is all the way at the end of Old Reservoir Road. You can park in either the upper or lower lot with BRMRG or OMERF permission. Our office is locked at all times unless someone is there, so let us know if you're coming!
Thornton Hall is the large engineering building adjacent to the McCormick Road bridge over Emmet Street, and it's where we conduct our weekly indoor trainings. The E wing is the farthest south, closest to Olsson Hall and Stadium Road, and farthest from McCormick Road (highlighted in the map below and the Google Maps link). E wing has a main door facing inward toward the southern courtyard. Next to that door is another door which opens straight into a stairwell. The top of these stairs is right next to room E304. If you are driving to this location, parking near Olsson, Rice, and Small Halls (and the stadium) is free after 5pm.
Observatory Hill has a network of trails for hiking and mountain biking. When we're not going somewhere special, we use this area to learn and practice basic SAR skills. To get there from UVA Grounds, take McCormick Road uphill, past the OHill dining hall, Slaughter Recreation Center, and the Lile-Maupin, Watson-Webb, Balz-Dobie, and Kellogg dorms. At the crest, turn right (toward the observatory) to stay on McCormick Road and continue uphill. After the two water towers and around the bend, there is a small parking area on the left near a trailhead and entrance to the fire road. That's where we meet. If you reach the Observatory (or start going back downhill) you've gone too far!