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
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
5.5 miles, loop
Dogs allowed on leash
Price Lake Loop Trail
Price Lake Trail
EASY
2.7 miles, loop
Dogs 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
Dogs allowed on leash
Boone Fork Trail
The Mountains-to-Sea Trail
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.
