Julian Price Memorial Park, located at milepost 297, comprises 4,200 acres of rolling mountain land with elevations from 3,400 feet to nearly 4,000 feet.
Founder of one of the nation’s largest insurance companies, Julian Price purchased this land to provide a recreation area for his employees of the Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company. When he died in 1946, his heirs left the land to the Blue Ridge Parkway as a memorial to a man who enjoyed sharing the natural beauty of the area with others.
The largest campground on the Parkway is located at Julian Price Memorial Park along with one of the more popular picnic areas. The stream that winds through the picnic area affords excellent “rock hopping.” The 5-mile Boone Fork Trail is a moderately strenuous hike that also affords access to the spectacular Hebron Rocks, a tumble of massive boulders and dramatic cascades.
Interpretive programs, fishing, canoe and kayak rentals at Price Lake, and an extensive trail system provide hours of fun.
Julian Price Memorial Park Hiking Information
Visitors who take to the trails will find scenery and solitude in abundance. Price Park is open year- round, however travel on the Parkway motor road is discouraged during inclement weather.
Download the Julian Price Memorial Park trails map.
Green Knob Trail is a moderately strenuous 2.3-mile loop, diverse in scenery Starting at Sim’s Pond Parking Area, (milepost 295.9) the trail follows Sim’s Creek through a section of dense rhododendron shaded by old growth timber. Several hemlocks measure more than 41 inches in diameter. A steady climb through pasture and woods leads to the top of Green Knob, crowned on clear days with a distant view Price Lake. The last section descends a steep hill with a view of Calloway Peak on the horizon.
Boone Fork Trail
Boone Fork Trail provides solitude in several environments – clear streams, pastures, large rock outcrops, meadows, and shaded, rhododendron-filled woods. Colorful wood ducks sometimes swim in Boone Fork creek. Allow at least 3 hours of daylight-walking time on this moderate to strenuous 5.5-mile loop trail. Trail access is gained by crossing the wooden footbridge in Price Park Picnic Area (milepost 296.4).
The North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail, marked with white blazes, runs jointly with the Boone Fork Trail for half its length. Signs indicate entry and exit points for the Mountains-to-Sea Trail.
The 13.5 mile Tanawha Trail leaves Boone Fork Trail near Price Park Campground. It meanders through field and forest in Price Park and parallels the Parkway on 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). Separate Tanawha Trail maps are available.
Price Lake Trail
Price Lake Trail can be reached from the Price Lake Overlook (milepost 296.7) or the Boone Fork Overlook (milepost 297.1). This easy 2.7-mile loop circles the shoreline of 47-acre Price Lake. Low-growing evergreen galax and ground pine flourish year – round near the trail. Ducks and loons take a spring and summer pause here in their yearly migration.
Julian Price Memorial Park Camping Information
129 Tent Sites | 68 RV sites | 100 Picnic Sites
Other: Telephone; Fishing; Boat Rentals
The Julian Price Park campground is near Boone and Blowing Rock, North Carolina and very close to the Moses Cone Estate. Julian Price Park is the largest campground on the Blue Ridge Parkway and usually opens in May. Reservations can be made for portions of this campground on-line.