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Boone & Watauga County

About Boone & Watauga County

This Week In Boone (exploreboone.com)

The town of Boone was named for the legendary frontiersman Daniel Boone who maintained a hunting camp there in Watauga County. The surrounding mountains, such as Grandfather Mountain, boast elevations up to 6,000 feet above sea level. Renowned for outdoor offerings, this area offers a wealth of recreational activities including some of the Southeast’s best sites for bouldering, rock climbing, snow sports, water sports, and cycling.

Boone is also home to Appalachian State University – home of the Appalachian Summer Festival – a month-long visual and performing art celebration held annually in July.

Five miles from Boone, the historic community of Valle Crucis is a place where local residents still make the daily trip down to the 1883 general store to get their mail. Valle Crucis, which literally translates to “valley of the cross,” was named by an Episcopal priest in the mid-1800s when he observed the two streams that crossed in the valley below, forming a cross.  This community hosts the annual Valley Country Fair on the third Saturday of October.

The nearby town of Seven Devils boasts cozy lodging and numerous outdoor adventures from hiking to ziplining.

Area Visitor Centers

explore boone hiking

Lodging, Dining, Things to Do

Lost Province

Stories from Boone & Watauga County

Brightly colored hot air balloons lift off from the ground in Rockbridge County, Virginia
Spring 2022 Events in the Blue Ridge
March 16, 2022
Arts & Culture, Wine Lovers, Craft Beer, Train Enthusiasts, Family-friendly, Fishing, Hiking Trails, Home & Garden, Live Music, Local Food, Nature & Outdoors
The trees are budding, the sun is shining, rain is falling (plus a few snowflakes, too!), and spring ephemerals are starting to peek out on the forest floor. It is spring in the Blue Ridge Mountains! Some sections of the Parkway may still be closed due to winter weather at high elevations, but check out all these amazing spring activities that you can enjoy without needing to access the Parkway!
Multicolored fireworks light up the night sky in Gatlinburg, TN.
Ring in a Blue Ridge New Year
December 28, 2021
Seasonal, Budget-Friendly, Family-friendly, Local Food, Luxury, Arts & Culture
Visiting the Blue Ridge Parkway for the holidays (or lucky enough to be a local) and looking for unique ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve? We’ve got your guide for seeing in the New Year at one of these celebrations in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Winter lights in the shape of quilt squares are brightly lit at night at the North Carolina Arboretum.
Celebrate Winter in the Blue Ridge Mountains
November 18, 2021
Family-friendly, Seasonal, Skiing, Arts & Culture
Spending the holidays in the Blue Ridge Mountains brings to mind cozy fireside nights under homespun quilts, a brisk family outing to find the perfect Christmas tree on a local farm, and the very the best slopes for skiing and sledding. We've rounded up all this and more in our guide to festive winter fun in the communities along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
A bird's eye view of Skyline drive through the colorful autumn forest of Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.
Finding Fall Color along the Blue Ridge Parkway and Beyond
August 23, 2021
Autumn Foliage, Farms & Agriculture, Seasonal
When will the Parkway's leaves change to their wardrobe of fall colors? Read on for travel tips to aid in planning your fall trip to the Blue Ridge region.
Joyful children stand at the top of a sledding hill with their sleds.
7 Ways to Enjoy the Parkway’s Wide Open Spaces (Even when the road is closed)
December 31, 2020
Biking, Hiking Trails, Stargazing, Waterfalls, Fishing, Winter Sports, Motorcycle Route
When high elevation nighttime temperatures dip below freezing, sections of the Parkway may be closed due to ice and snow. The roadway is not plowed or salted so closed areas become wonderful winter playgrounds for pedestrians, cyclists, skiers and snowshoers alike.
A breakfast cookbook sits behind a plate of fruit, waffles, omelet and bacon with a glass of orange juice and a pitcher of syrup.
Romantic Getaways Across the Blue Ridge Parkway and Beyond
November 16, 2020
Romantic Getaway, Nature & Outdoors, In Town, Road Trip, Complimentary Breakfast
Even while staying at home we still seem to be busy. Maybe this season you'll want to slow down and make time to take a getaway with your significant other. Regardless of when you choose to enjoy a romantic getaway along the Blue Ridge Parkway, we have some options and ideas for you to consider.
411-foot Whitewater Falls drops over the rocks into multiple streams surrounded by fall-colored leaves.
Waterfalls Along the Blue Ridge Parkway
September 9, 2020
Budget-Friendly, Family-friendly, Nature & Outdoors, Hiking Trails
Numerous waterfalls are located throughout the Shenandoah, Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway regions. Some are visible from the road and some require a hike. This list notes the location and ease of access for each waterfall.
The view from Waterrock Knob reveals nearby evergreens and rows of mountains ridged in shadows in the distance.
Nature & the Outdoors Along the Blue Ridge Parkway Regions in NC & TN
April 17, 2020
Biking, Caves & Caverns, Fishing, Hiking Trails, Horseback Riding, Nature & Outdoors, Swimming, Rock Climbing & Rappelling, Water Sports, Waterfalls, Family-friendly, Budget-Friendly, Pet-Friendly
Whether you are enjoying the entire Blue Ridge Parkway or just visiting regions in North Carolina or Tennessee, there are many ways to enjoy nature and the outdoors, even in the lodging opportunities available along the route.
Water spills over the wheel at Mabry Mill surrounded by Fall color.
Guide to Fall Color on the Parkway 2018
October 18, 2018
Autumn Foliage, Nature & Outdoors, Seasonal
When will the leaves be at peak color this Fall along the Blue Ridge Parkway? While it would be nice if we could forecast the moment Autumn foliage will dazzle us with peak vibrancy as reliably as we track the ocean's tides, just when and why the leaves change colors is a complex array of factors far less predictable.

Recommended Itineraries

A visitor stands atop the rock overlooking the valley below at The Blowing Rock attraction.
Blowing Rock: Crown of the Blue Ridge 3-Day Adventure
Region: North Carolina
Duration:2 - 3 days
Local Food, Arts & Culture, Craft Beer, In Town, Nature & Outdoors, Picnic
Blowing Rock is located directly on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and is home to several iconic NC High Country attractions. It takes more than one day to tour some of the best-known sites. If you are looking for a sight-seeing adventure or just want to revisit your favorites, check out this itinerary!
An adventurer zips through the forest canopy at Sky Valley Zip Tours.
Blowing Rock 1-Day Outdoor Adventure
Region: North Carolina
Duration:1 day
Family-friendly, Hiking Trails, In Town, Nature & Outdoors, Skiing, Waterfalls
The little town of Blowing Rock is surrounded by undeveloped lands, like a giant backyard to explore. This one-day itinerary takes in the views and the environment for a true Blue Ridge experience.
Row upon row of foggy ridges are visible at Thunder Hill, NC in the Parkway's Highlands region.
Highlands Region Weekend Getaway
Region: Virginia , North Carolina
Duration:2 - 3 days
Accessible Facilities, History & Heritage, Hiking Trails, Arts & Culture, Home & Garden, Family-friendly, Local Food
A two-day trip through the Parkway's Highlands district reveals the shift from flat plateau to mountain ridges. Find yourself in the rolling pastures of Doughton Park (Milepost 240 – 245) or exploring the Grandfather Mountain corridor (Milepost 295 – 300) or the rugged Linville Gorge (Milepost 317) with a night in North Carolina’s High Country of Boone or Blowing Rock.