▶ BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY

Julian Price Memorial Park

WITH OVER 4,200 ACRES OF OUTDOOR FUN

Phone: 828-963-5911
Address: Blowing Rock, NC
Website: www.recreation.gov/camping/julian-price

MP 297

Julian Price campground opens May 9

Whether you’re looking to hike, canoe, fish, camp, or enjoy a quiet family picnic amidst rolling hills, Julian Price Memorial Park has something every outdoor enthusiast can enjoy. Spanning 4,200 acres of rolling mountain land, Price Park was purchased by Julian Price, executive of one of the nation’s largest insurance companies, to provide a recreation area for his employees.

Visitors can enjoy fishing or canoeing in the lake with canoe and boat rentals available. During the summer, the 300-seat amphitheatre hosts interpretive wildlife programs and is the starting place for ranger led guided walks and evening campfire programs. Camp under the stars at the Julian Price Campground (milepost 296.9) or pack a lunch and head to the 100 sheltered picnic sites. From the picnic area, take a 1.5 mile hike into Hebron Falls. Or bring the kids to learn about nature on a one mile, brochure-led, hiking adventure, which is part of a nationwide Kids in Parks initiative to get the young ones on the trails.

From Boone Fork Overlook (milepost 297.1), hike the Price Lake Trail, an easy, 2.7 mile loop around the lake and take pause to notice the migratory ducks and loons in the spring and summer. Those up for the challenge can tackle the 5-mile Boone Fork Trail (milepost 296.4) through steams, pastures, large rock out-croppings, and rhododendron filled woods. Scale the top of Green Knob on a moderately strenuous 2.3 mile trail (milepost 295.9) and on clear days enjoy views of Price Lake and Calloway Peak on the horizon. The Tanawha Trail and Mountains-to-Sea Trail also crisscross Price Park through lush forests and blossoming wildflowers in the spring.


Picnicking

Just past Moses Cone Manor, enter the Price Park picnic area (milepost 296.4) on your right to enjoy a family picnic at one of the 100 sheltered picnic sites along the lake’s creeks.


Boating

Drive .4 miles south of the picnic area to spend a relaxing summer afternoon exploring Price Lake by boat. Canoes and kayaks can be rented by a Parkway concessionaire (milepost 298) just beyond the lake. Boats are available for rental from 10am to 6pm in April and from 8:30am to 7pm from May 3 through Sept. 30. Canoes are $13 per hour and kayaks are $10 per hour plus tax; only cash or checks accepted. Snacks, drinks, firewood for the campground, and lifejackets are also for sale. For more information, call 828-963-2292 or visit the website.


Fishing

Grab a pole and head to the lake for a chance to catch some trout. Fishing is not permitted from the lake dam or from the footbridge in the Price Lake picnic area. A North Carolina or Virginia fishing license is required for all fisherman.


Hiking

Hikers can choose from several trails of varying difficulty, including the Price Lake Trail (milepost 297.1), an easy, 2.7 mile loop around the lake. Those up for the challenge can tackle the 5-mile Boone Fork Trail (milepost 296.4) through steams, pastures, large rock out-croppings, and rhododendron filled woods. Scale the top of Green Knob on a moderately strenuous 2.3 mile trail (milepost 295.9) and on clear days enjoy views of Price Lake and Calloway Peak on the horizon. The Tanawha Trail and Mountains-to-Sea Trail also crisscross Price Park, meandering through lush forests and blossoming wildflowers in the spring. The kids don’t want to miss a one mile, brochure-led nature education hike, which begins at the picnic area and is part of a nationwide Kids in Parks initiative to get the young ones outside and on the trails.


Camping

Nestled in the woods right down the road from the lake, this spacious campground (milepost 296.9) features 129 tents and 68 RV sites. The campground opens May 9. Reservations can be made by calling 1-877-444-6777. During the summer, the nearby 300-seat amphitheatre also hosts interpretive wildlife programs and is the starting place for ranger led guided walks and evening campfire programs.