blue ridge parkway Archives ⋆ Blowing Rock, NC

Off the Beaten Path

You’ve crossed Grandfather’s Mile-High Swinging Bridge and been hiking at Bass Lake, enjoyed a show at the Shaefer Center and ridden the rails at Tweetsie, and now you’re looking for more. Or perhaps you just like to find those out-of-the-way gems first. Below, we’ve outlined a great weekend of activities and sights that are sometimes overlooked, but should definitely be experienced! You’ll get a good dose of local history, culture, and personality, as well as leg-stretching activity with this lineup.

MP 305 – Grandfather Mountain

Grandfather Mountain is a 720-acre attraction operated by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation. All proceeds from sales of tickets and souvenirs go toward caring for and presenting Grandfather Mountain in a manner that inspires good stewardship in others. The State of North Carolina owns 2,500 acres of Grandfather’s undeveloped backcountry, which it operates as Grandfather Mountain State Park. Walk across the Mile-High Swinging Bridge, observe indigenous animals including black bears, deer, eagles, cougars, in their habitats, learn about endangered animals and rare plants in the museum, and hike the trails around the park. Take the Linville exit (MP 305) and Grandfather Mountain is one mile South on Hwy 221. Trails: Various Views: 360 degree views Picnic Tables: Yes (and Restaurant at attraction) Camping: Yes (dispersed inside State Park)

MP 316.4 – Linville Falls, Campground & Hiking Trails

Discover a series of waterfalls that drop to a deep gorge, hiking trails with incredible views, a campground, a visitor center, and a picnic area along the Linville River. The trails range from easy to strenuous. The various trails here include the short walk up Duggers Creek and more strenuous hikes into the plunge basin. Follow the access road from the Blue Ridge Parkway to get to the public parking area. The portion of the river along Spur Road is very popular for trout fishing. The campground is located right along the river bank. Parking is at the visitor center which features gifts and accessories, and offers restrooms, water fountains, and information about both the Falls and the Parkway. Trails start at the visitor center. The shortest is to Duggar’s Creek Falls, a small but beautiful waterfall in a lush cove. Other moderate trails lead to views of the main falls and gorge. The falls are impressive, especially the lower falls, as a massive volume of water rushes into the steep gorge. The plunge basin trails take hikers down into the gorge to areas along the river at the base of the falls. Linville Falls is adjacent to the Linville Gorge Wilderness Area, maintained by the US Forest Service. Primitive trails (not shown below) are available for adventurous hikers in the Wilderness Area, and all are rated very strenuous. Dispersed camping is available in the Wilderness Area and requires permits on certain days. Trails: Yes Views: Upper and Lower falls views accessed by trails Picnic Tables: Yes Camping: Yes Features: Waterfall

MP 296.5 – Boone Fork Trail & Falls

The Boone Fork Trail is a moderate 5.2-mile hike that traverses streams and goes through tunnels of rhododendron. The path is incredibly varied, with multiple stream crossings, boardwalks over boulders, pastures filled with wildflowers, and views of beautiful waterfalls. In fact, Hebron Falls can be accessed about 1 mile down the trail (head to the right from the trailhead). This trail is a favorite for many locals! The trailhead is located at the Price Park Picnic Area, which has plenty of parking and lots of picnic tables. Public restrooms are available at the trailhead as well. Trails: Boone Fork Trail – moderate Views: Waterfall, meadow, streams Picnic Tables: Yes Camping: No

Price Lake at Julian Price Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway

MP 297 – Julian Price Memorial Park

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.

Thunder Hill Overlook view with couple in Mercedes convertible

MP 290.4 – Thunder Hill Overlook

Enjoy a nearly 180° panoramic view! Thunder Hill is one of the most popular places to view the sunrise on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Locals also flock to the location to watch thunderheads coming in from the south, and to view plenty of stars at night. And yes, it’s true that you can see the Charlotte skyline from this overlook! The best time to see it is on a clear winter morning, when cold conditions eliminate haze. The parking area is fairly large, making the overlook accessible even when fairly busy. Views can also be enjoyed across the Parkway from the overlook. Cross the road and climb the slight rise to see a pastoral scene over the cattle fence- and maybe even a few cows! A stile gate in the fence allows the passage along the Mountains to Sea Trail, which runs closely along the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Blowing Rock area. Trails: Access the Mountains to Sea Trail Elevation: 3795′ Views: Very wide view, south-southeast Picnic Tables: No Camping: No

MP 289.8 – Yadkin Valley Overlook

This view at Yadkin Valley Overlook is very similar to the one from Thunder Hill Overlook, the next one going south on the Parkway. The pull off area is small, leaving little room for parking. However, it’s still an excellent view for stargazing and sunrise skies! Trails: Access the Mountains to Sea Trail Elevation: 3830′ Views: Yadkin River Valley, south-southwest Picnic Tables: No Camping: No

family overlooking thunder hill, part of the mountains to sea trail

Mountains to Sea Trail Birthday Hikes

Friends of the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail (MST) invites hikers of all skill levels to help celebrate the trail’s birthday each year in September. Join one of the group hikes in several trail towns across the state! From Cherokee to Nags Head, you’ll find hikes from one to 12 miles, through all types of landscape, from easy to strenuous. “This will be a great opportunity to explore North Carolina’s natural beauty with the help of hike leaders who have extensive local knowledge of the trail and area attractions,” said Betsy Brown, Outreach Manager for the Friends of the MST. The 46-Mile Challenge is also a fun option for enjoying the MST in September. Hike the miles anywhere on the MST during September for a chance to win great prizes- more details coming soon. Registration for organized hikes will open later this year, and will be accessible through the Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail website. Depending on the hike, there is a limit to the number of people who can register, anywhere from fifteen to a hundred. Hikes are free, though Friends encourages donations to support their continuing work on the MST. Hikers are also encouraged to hike anywhere, anytime over the weekend on their own, and share their stories. Find detailed information about this and the Hike on Your Own option at mountainstoseatrail.org/birthdayhike/ The MST Birthday Hike is not only an opportunity for hikers to learn about the MST – it is also a time for them to get to know trail communities across the state. Hikers can stick to their closest trail town, or they can travel to another area of North Carolina they wish to explore. Many towns will provide information about local events, restaurants, and attractions in the trail towns and hikers can become better acquainted with the areas. Chuck Millsaps, president of the Great Outdoor Provision Co. (GOPC), says, “We are thrilled to see so many communities hosting hikes across the state as we celebrate the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. It’s such fun to send folks out on the trail and then hear their hike stories the next time they stop by.” GOPC is the exclusive sponsor of the MST Birthday Hike. It’s a North Carolina-based outdoor equipment and clothing retailer, with nine stores across the area. This will be the seventh year of celebrating the birth of the MST, founded forty-six years ago. In 2017, the first celebration year, hikers across the state walked different legs of the 1175-mile trail, successfully hiking the entire trail in a day. The second year, solo hikers and groups were encouraged to hike any area of the trail they wished and report their journey back to Friends of MST. That tradition continues! Friends of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail is a non-profit organization whose mission is to bring together communities and volunteers to build, protect and promote the Mountains-to-Sea Trail, connecting North Carolina’s natural treasures and communities. The trail itself is 1175 miles, and spans from the Great Smoky Mountains to the Outer Banks. Updated January 2023

Blowing Rock attractions include Tweetsie Railroad, pictured here as a train over a trestle

The Big Ones- Multi-day Itinerary

The High Country has several iconic attractions, and it takes more than one day to see all the best known sites. If you are looking for a sight-seeing adventure or just want to revisit all your favorites, check out this itinerary! Day one: Afternoon at Tweetsie Railroad (Mid April through October) Tweetsie Railroad is NC’s first theme park, and an enduring icon in the High Country. Take the kids or release your inner child with rides, shows, and characters. Historic steam locomotives pull passenger cars around along a two-mile track through beautiful mountain scenes for a fun Wild West show. In October, weekend evenings become spooktacular during the Ghost Train Halloween Festival. Less than 10 minutes from downtown Blowing Rock on Hwy 321, allow 4+ hours. www.tweetsie.com Dinner in Blowing Rock Try Foggy Rock, a local favorite spot for American Food with a friendly atmosphere. Or take in the views at Wheelie’s Refresher, with a deck that overlooks areas in the Pisgah National Forest. See more dining options at http://www.blowingrock.com/services/restaurants/ Day 2: Morning : Blue Ridge Parkway and Grandfather Mountain (year round, weather permitting) Before heading out to Grandfather Mountain, visit the Parkway Craft Center (open March-November) to get a great start to the day. The Craft Center is located inside the historic home of Moses H. Cone, who built the mansion at the turn of the 20th century. The house holds crafts and fine arts created by members of the Southern Highland Craft Guild, offering a look at traditional arts and processes. The manor house overlooks the Blowing Rock area and offers lots of photographic opportunities on the front porch. Less than 10 minutes from downtown Blowing Rock at milepost 296 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Access Blue Ridge Parkway from Hwy 221 south, head North on Parkway for one mile. Allow 1 hour. http://www.southernhighlandguild.org/retail-shops/parkway-craft-center/ From the Parkway Craft Center, head south on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Grandfather Mountain. On the way you’ll enjoy breathtaking vistas and wooded settings, as well as the iconic view of Price Lake. On the south slopes of Grandfather Mountain rests the Linn Cove Viaduct, a marvel of engineering that allowed the preservation of the pristine slopes below. Designed and constructed with the landscape in mind, only the trees directly under the roadway were cut. The s-curve bridge is exciting to drive across, offering an experience like no other as the roadway seems to rush into the sky. About 20 minutes from downtown Blowing Rock, milepost 304.6 of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Best photos are on approach on the north side. No pedestrians are allowed on the Viaduct. A trail from the Linn Cove Visitor Center on south side of the Viaduct provides access to the underside of the structure. http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/v.php?pg=873 Just after the Linn Cove Viaduct is the exit to Grandfather Mountain (open year round, weather permitting). At admission, a great cd guide is available to play in your car as you travel up the access road. Grandfather Mountain is home to a natural history museum, animal habitats and observation areas, and the Mile High Swinging Bridge. You can drive all the way to the top where incredible views can be enjoyed from the bridge and cliffs. There are also plenty of leg-stretching trails to enjoy, where you can experience the various ecosystems on the mountain up-close. About 25 minutes from downtown Blowing Rock on Hwy 221 in Linville. From the Parkway, look for the exit for Hwy 221 to Grandfather Mountain. Turn right to head south on Hwy 221 and travel one mile to the entrance gate to Grandfather. Allow 3+ hours. www.grandfather.com Lunch: Grandfather Mountain. There are lots of great picnic spots on the Mountain. You can bring a picnic to enjoy, or grab one from Mildred’s Grill by the natural history museum on Grandfather. If you opt to dine inside at the Grill, the large windows offer great views of feeding areas for wild birds, squirrels, and chipmunks. Afternoon: The Original Mast General Store The Mast General Store in Valle Crucis was built in 1883 and is still a working store and post office. Find all kinds of supplies, toys, housewares, and old-fashioned candies while enjoying original floors and a funky layout that only comes from decades of existence. The store is a major historic attraction and a step back in time. The entire community of Valle Crucis is worth seeing for the same reasons. The name means “Vale of the Cross” for the waterways that crisscross the valley. It’s as beautiful as the name implies. About 20 minutes from Grandfather Mountain (25 minutes from downtown Blowing Rock), allow 1+ hours. http://www.mastgeneralstore.com/ Dinner in Boone or Blowing Rock The Dan’l Boone Inn is a favorite restaurant of many and has become almost synonymous with dining in Boone. Meals are served family style, and the menu features southern staples. In Blowing Rock, you can enjoy a more upscale experience at one of two quintessential High Country restaurants: the AAA 4-Diamond Gamekeeper or the long-established Best Cellar. More dining options at http://www.blowingrock.com/services/restaurants/ Day 3: Morning: The Blowing Rock and downtown Blowing Rock The Blowing Rock (open year round, weather permitting) is NC’s first travel attraction and the town’s namesake. The view is incomparable, and the near-constant winds inspired a Native legend about the site. An impressive observation deck offers nearly 365-degree views, while a pretty loop trail is a relaxing way to enjoy the scenery. The rock itself is a perfect place to take a bucket-list photo! About 5 minutes from downtown Blowing Rock off Valley Boulevard/Hwy 321. Allow at least 30 minutes. www.theblowingrock.com We feel that no attractions tour of the High Country is complete without a visit to downtown Blowing Rock! The quaint village-like atmosphere is uncommon nowadays and there is plenty to enjoy. Stroll along the welcoming streets to see unique shops and galleries, and take a break in the large Memorial Park right on Main Street. Have lunch at one of many eateries downtown before you head back home! Looking for more iconic

Romantic Spots on the Blue Ridge Parkway

No matter what the season, the Blue Ridge Parkway is the perfect place to share the breathtaking beauty of North Carolina’s mountains with your sweetheart. Below are just a few of our favorite “romantic spots” that are near Blowing Rock. Rough Ridge Overlook – Milepost 302.8Amazing views while hiking the Tanawha Trail up the mountain and over boardwalks. Bring your camera and recruit a fellow tourist to capture the moment. Julian Price Park & Price Lake – Milepost 297-298A beautiful setting for a picnic or a romantic canoe ride. Take a leisurely hike around the Lake, and stop to enjoy it all. Beautiful spot for a proposal! Moses H. Cone Park – Milepost 294Enjoy hiking or a romantic picnic on the carriage trails and find treasure for yourself or your significant other inside the Parkway Craft Center. Stop a minute on the front porch and enjoy a moment in the rocking chairs. Thunder Hill Overlook – Milepost 290.3For a romantic evening under the stars, turn on some tunes and drive to Thunder Hill. The views are far reaching and on a clear night the stars are amazing. Check with your favorite Blowing Rock restaurant and ask if they can fix a picnic for you!

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