3 minute read
ADVENTURE ABOUND IN BOONE
BY PATRICK MCCORMACK
Four seasons of diverse recreational activities can be enjoyed in the mountain community of Boone — North Carolina‘s premier adventure playground.
Skiing, snowboarding and caving in the winter. Trout fishing, wildflower hunting and voting in the spring. Camping and river tubing in the summer. Rock climbing, backpacking and bike riding in the fall. Oh and hiking? That’s year-round.
In fact many of the abundant activities available to residents and visitors of Boone can be enjoyed throughout the year. Boone is home to many parks and dedicated green space areas, from national parks to privately run community facilities. Within minutes of Boone is the Blue Ridge Parkway — one of the most visited national park in the country, a paved road with 469 miles of scenic beauty, overlooks, trails, campgrounds and other amenities.
State parks in the region just miles from Boone include grandfather Mountain State Park, Elk Knob State Park, New River State Park and Mount Jefferson State natural area — and many of these parks are continuing to grow in size as area conservancies secure more acreage. These parks offer opportunities for hiking, picnicking, camping, backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, ranger led programs and special events.
Community and local government-operated parks in the Boone area include Brookshire Park, Jaycees Park, Junaluska {ark, Howards Knob Park, Durham Park, Valle Crucis Park, Memorial Park in blowing rock, Green Valley Park and many others.
The Watauga Parks and Recreation Department offers multiple recreational activities for youth and adults in and around of Boone. The department sponsors youth football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, baseball and softball leagues and offers lacrosse clinics. The county’s recreation complex off of State Farm Road includes baseball and softball fields, a playground and picnic shelters.
In spring 2020 the county completed a new state of the art indoor community recreation Center, at the recreation complex, featuring a competition indoor swimming pool, a leisure pool, Multi-use courts, locker rooms, walking track, gym equipment and party rooms for public use. Other outdoor facilities include tennis courts, basketball courts and pickle ball courts. The High Country soccer association sponsors teams that play in a variety of age groups and against teams from throughout the area. In addition, amateur leagues and clubs exist for casual competition in ultimate frisbee) disc golf and other sports.
And the town of Boone has a skatepark, which was majority funded by a grassroots effort to raise the funds needed for its construction.
The Boone area provides varied terrain and scenic views for amateur and competitive cyclist and his home to several major road events including the Bloood, Sweat, and Gears Bike Ride in June a fundraiser. Rocky Knob Park is a destination mountain biking park located on the east side of Boone, with several miles of intermediate to difficult trails.
During the winter months the ski industry is king in the High Country, with three resorts located less than an hour away from Boone.
Boone even has the classic sport of golf. The Boone Golf Club is a public 18 hole golf course with a practice green in a restaurant and clubhouse. The Mountaineer driving range and golf center located off NC Highway 105 extension offers a driving range and golf instruction for all levels of ability.
The High Country is also known for top notch rock climbing opportunities; caving; river sports fly fishing, white water rafting, canoeing, kayaking and tubing; and even hang gliding and paragliding.
There are a number of local outfitters who can help guide you on these adventures, including River & Earth Adventures, Wahoo’s Outdoor Adventures, Rock Dimensions Climbing Guides and River Girl Fishing.
Whatever adventure you have in store, you can find it in Boone.
PHOTO COURTESY WCPR The state-of-the-art Recreation Center is the crown-jewel in the WCPR system of facilities.
