Enjoy 4,200 acres of rolling mountains with elevations ranging from 3,400 to nearly 4,000 feet, plus a lake, stream, hiking trails, and a campground at Julian Price Memorial Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 297. Julian Price was an insurance executive in the early 1900s who prospered as a principal developer of the Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company, which later became Jefferson-Pilot Life Insurance Company. Price purchased the 4,200 acres in the 1930s to provide a recreation area for his employees. When he died in 1946, his heirs left the land to the Blue Ridge Parkway as a memorial to him. Directly adjacent to the Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, together the two parks comprise the largest developed area set aside for public recreation on the Parkway. Price Park is home to the largest campground on the Parkway and is a popular picnic spot. Visitors enjoy interpretive programs, fishing, canoe and kayak rentals at Price Lake, and an extensive trail system. Trails: Green Knob Trail, Boone Fork Trail, Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Price Lake Trail, Tanawha Trail Views: Lake, mountain, stream, and meadow views Picnic Tables: Yes Camping: Yes Other Features: Canoe & kayak rentals Price Lake Formed in the 1940s by damming up Boone Fork Creek, the focal point of Julian Price Memorial Park is the 47-acre Price Lake. The Lake offers fishing, canoe, single and double kayak, and paddleboard rentals, a 2.5-mile hiking loop around the lake, and a 300 seat amphitheater for interpretive programs. The picturesque lake is set against the backdrop of Grandfather Mountain with a view of Calloway Peak. Price Lake is open to fishing for anyone with a valid Virginia or North Carolina fishing license. Swimming is not allowed. HIKING TRAILS Boone Fork Trail Green Knob Trail MODERATE 2.3 miles, loop Dogs allowed on leash Start at Sim’s Pond Parking Area, (milepost 295.9) Leads to the top of Green Knob and a distant view of Price Lake followed by a view of Calloway Peak on the horizon. Boone Fork Trail MODERATE TO STRENUOUS5.5 miles, loopDogs allowed on leash Access the trail at the wooden footbridge in Price Park Picnic area (milepost 296.4). Trail features streams, pastures, rock outcrops, meadows, and shaded forest. Price Lake Loop Trail Price Lake Trail EASY2.7 miles, loopDogs allowed on leash Access this trail from the Price Lake Overlook (milepost 296.7) or the Boone Fork Overlook (milepost 297.1). This trail circles the shoreline of 47-acre Price Lake. Tanawha Trail EASY TO MODERATE13.5 milesDogs allowed on leash The 13.5-mile Tanawha Trail leaves Boone Fork Trail near Price Park Campground. Wander through fields and by streams, skirting the flanks of Grandfather Mountain, ending at Beacon Heights (milepost 305.5). Parking and access for the Tanawha Trail in Price Park are available at the Boone Fork Overlook (milepost 297.1). Boone Fork Trail The Mountains-to-Sea Trail The Mountains-to-Sea Trail runs jointly with the Boone Fork Trail for half its length. Signs indicate entry and exit points. The Mountains to Sea Trail stretches 1,175 miles from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks. Picnicking Over 100 picnic sites are available and restrooms are available seasonally. Sites and restrooms are wheelchair accessible with assistance. Camping Price Park Campground has 129 tent sites and 68 RV sites. Sites on Loop “A” are located near Price Lake. Reservations can be made for portions of this campground online at www.RECREATION.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. One backcountry campsite requiring a hike is available, and a permit must be obtained from the campground during the season. For more information, call 828-963-5911 or 828-295-7591. During the summer, rangers present programs on various topics at the amphitheater located in the campground.
