Boone KOA

Linville Caverns

Be sure to visit North Carolina's only Show Cavern. The cavern has a constant year-round temperature of 52 degrees. It has magnificent features such as columns, draperies, canopies, straws, and an array of icicle-like forms. This is a great rainy day idea. For more information, visit Linville Caverns online.

Elk Knob State Park

As the bird flies it is not far, as the road winds a little further. This is a fairly new state park you can see when looking across our swimming pool. It is about 9 miles by road from the campground. The hiking trail just finished last summer is 1.9 miles one way with an elevation gain of 1000 feet. Since it is off the beaten track you avoid many of the crowds of other parks and the traffic on your way there. http://ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/elkn/main.php

Daniel Boone Native Gardens

The Gardens feature a collection of North Carolina native plants in an informal landscape design, for education and preservation. Open daily May through October from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and until 8 p.m. when the Horn in the West is in production.

Linville Falls

Linville Falls is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are trails that lead to the upper and lower falls. For more information, visit Linville Falls online.

Hawksnest Zipline

The Zip Line course at Hawksnest is the longest on the east coast with over 1.5 miles of cable riding. Ride 10 different cables taking you through the trees, over creeks and even over snow tubers during the winter months. The Zip Line course is set in the middle of some of the best views in the High Country. Zip Line riding is an exciting and safe experience for the entire family. Children must be 5 years old to ride. The harness will accommodate a 40 inch waist with a maximum weight of 250 lbs. Please remember to wear shoes which strap to your feet and are good for walking in the woods. Please call ahead for reservations as some sessions will sell out. For more information, videos, and photos please check out their website: http://hawksnesttubing.com

New River

This is the oldest river in the America's and the second oldest river in the world. New River is the crown of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Unique because it flows north, following the mountains from Blowing Rock, NC, through West Virginia to the Ohio River. It is safely enjoyed by people of all ages. In May and early June the river banks are ablaze with blooming wild flowers and the fall leaf change is an explosion of color.

Grandfather Mountain

Grandfather Mountain is one of the most environmentally significant mountains in the world. It is set apart by the U.N. as an International Biosphere Reserve, a place where man and nature thrive in harmony. There are about 553 biosphere reserves in the world.. There are 47 rare and endangered species here. Enjoy the Mile High Swinging Bridge, the Wildlife Habitats, miles of hiking trails, views that will make your heart race, picnicking and the Nature Museum. Open daily all year except Thanksgiving and Christmas from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (winter), 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (spring/fall) and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (summer). Average visit is approximately 2 to 3 hours.

Hickory Ridge Homesatead - a living history museum

Located on the grounds of Horn In The West outdoor drama - you are invited to walk through some of Daniel Boone's hunting grounds while period interpreters bring history to life.

Visit original log cabins relocated to this spot from various areas of the High Country. Tatum Cabin (ca 1775), Trading Post (ca 1857), Blacksmith Shop (ca 18??), Coffey Cabin (ca 1875), WPA Cabin (ca 1935) and the Museum Gift Shop (ca 18??) - each reveals a story of courage and hope through difficult yet promising times. Three more out-buildings, a springhouse, herder's cabin and hog pen, are reproductions which further illustrate the period lifestyle.

http://HickoryRidgeMuseum.com

Horn in the West

This is Kermit Hunter’s famous Drama of the American Revolution. Each summer Horn in the West explodes into action on three spectacular stages to relive the incredible saga of the struggles of the rugged mountain settlers of the late eighteenth century and their role in the winning of this great country from British oppression. The drama is held nightly, except for Monday, at 8:30 p.m. (late June through Mid-August). For more information, visit Horn in the West online. Ask us about discounted tickets!!

"In the evening west, beyond the last mountain peak, slowly dies the sun in a sea of bronze and crimson...The gaze of man is westward, as if he could glimpse, somewhere beyond the uneasy world, the great golden reaches of eternity--as though he could hear, blowing in the distant sunset, the horn of freedom!" Kermit Hunter

Interesting Watauga County information

Boone is the county seat of Watauga.

Watauga County was established by the General Assembly of North Carolina by a law ratified the 27th day of January, 1849. It was created out of parts of the counties of Ashe, Wilkes, Caldwell, and Yancey, principally out of Ashe.

The first settlers were the Cherokee Indians. The first white men to come to what is now Watauga County were led by Bishop August Gottlieb Spangenberg in 1752. The next visitor to the area was Daniel Boone about 1761. Appropriately enough, the town of Boone takes its name from this great pioneer. Although Daniel Boone never actually lived in the county, he made many hunting trips through the area and had a stopover cabin on what is now the campus of Appalachian State University. It was known as the Boone Cabin.

Three river systems drain the county. These together with the John's River which flows south and has a head spring in Blowing Rock, flow in all directions. The New River (America's oldest river and a national scenic river) flows north. The Yadkin River flows east. The Watauga River flows west and drains the largest area of the county.

There are eight peaks higher than 5,000 feet, including the mighty Grandfather Mountain rising to 5,964 feet above sea level, Snake Mountain 5,594; Elk Knob 5,555; Bald of Rich Mountain 5,369, Hanging Rock 5,237; Tater Hill 5,156; Beach Mountain 5,020, and Rich Mountain 5,000. Three of these mountains can be seen from the campground. Looking across the swimming pool towards the distant mountains - Snake is the one that looks like a Volcano blasted it out - Elk is to its right, and the back side of Rich Mountain to its left. Our KOA is the highest one east of the Mississippi at almost 4000 feet. Watauga County has the highest average elevation of any comparable area east of the Rockies.

The average temperature for the winter months December, January, & February is 36 degrees Fahrenheit; for March, April, and May is 50.4 degrees; for June July and August is 68 degrees; for September, October, and November is 52.7 degrees. The average yearly rainfall is 57 inches.

Singing on the Mountain

This is an annual event on the 4th Sunday in June. The "Singing" is a day-long gathering held out-of-doors in a meadow at the base of Grandfather Mountain. Music begins at 8:30 a.m. and continues throughout the day, with a break at mid-day for the sermon. Many families bring lawn chairs and picnics and make a day of seeing old friends and enjoying performances by top Southern Gospel groups.

Merlefest

An Annual 4-day event that takes place in Wilkesboro, NC every spring. MerleFest, which began in 1988, is about the Music, Moments, and Memories. MerleFest is produced each year by the Wilkes Community College Endowment Corporation and managed by the staff of the college's Development Office. The event is the primary fundraiser for Wilkes Community College. Please visit Merlefest online for details: http://www.merlefest.org/