The most scenic of still-water bodies on the Parkway, Price Lake is a must-see if you are traveling the Parkway through North Carolina. It is situated with a view across the lake of Grandfather Mountain’s Galloway Peak.
It is literally impossible to miss the lake at Milepost 297 just south of Boone and Banner Elk and just north of Linville and Grandfather Mountain. The Parkway goes right over the dam with the extraordinary view you see in these images.
Visitors enjoy canoeing, picnic-ing (100+ areas), fishing, and strolling along the 2.5 mile lake loop trail (rated Easy). The loop trail is a particularly fine treat with an excellent paved and gravel path along half of the trail, a wide hiking trail along the other half, and superb views of the lake and area with each and every step. The lake is extraordinary in the fall with the many shades and hues of Autumn reflecting along with Grandfather Mountain on the water. Mark your calendar for early October.
Humans aren’t the only ones who like to pool water in the area. Keep your eye out for beavers. You’ll see lots of their stumps along the way. The bogs on the backside of the lake can be credited to these active, semiaquatic rodents.
Canoeing on Price Lake
The Lake is part of the 42,000 acre Julian Price Park which includes seven trails, a 300-seat amphitheater, campgrounds, and seven total trails. It was formed in the 1940s by damming up Boone Fork Creek at the request of the family of insurance executive Julian Price, for whom the Park is named.
And if you are in the area, you’ll want to stop by the adjacent Moses Cone Park. Together Julian Price Park and Moses Cone Park are the largest developed recreational areas for public use on the Parkway.