The High Country’s beautiful streams, lakes, and rivers provide wildlife sanctuaries and many recreational opportunities- like fishing! The best times of year to fish for trout here in in the High Country are the spring, fall, and winter months, when the water temperature is between 45° and 65°. Our waters offer excellent opportunities for catching brown, brook, and rainbow trout.
Lots of people ask about when the rhododendrons bloom, and that depends on species, elevation, and local climate. The Rosebay, also known as the white rhododendron, is a prominent rhododendron along the Blowing Rock areas of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The blooms vary from white to very pale pink/purple and typically begin to bloom in mid- to late-June in this area. Best viewing usually continues into mid July. This is later than the Catawba Rhododendron, the bright pink species found in masses at nearby Roan Mountain. Peak bloom for Roan Mountain is usually around mid-June. The darker, sometimes near-fuschia, blooms of the hybrid rhoddies in downtown Blowing Rock and in nearby parks and gardens peak in May. The Rosebay Rhododendron puts on a pretty show in Blowing Rock. The pale clouds of rhododendron along the local section of the Blue Ridge Parkway will be beckoning you to pull over. “Stop and smell the roses,” right? Where to see blooms: The blooms will be opening up into early July. There are many of these plants all over the Blowing Rock area. Price Park is an excellent location to see large collections of the shrub, and the sheer number of blooms during peak is stunning. Take a hike around the lake on the Lake Trail to get a real immersion into the rhoddie growth, or rent a canoe from the docks and enjoy the blooms from the water. The amphitheater is a nice spot to sit and enjoy, as rhododendron growth surrounds the seating. Also in Price Park, the Green Knob Trail offers a walk through a blooming tunnel when you access the trail by the Sims Creek Bridge. More Rosebay Rhododendron shrubs heavily line the Mountains To Sea Trail near Goshen Creek on the Blue Ridge Parkway (about 5 miles north from Blowing Rock). Many trails on the Parkway wind through thickets of this plant as well, so you can hike almost anywhere to enjoy some blooms. Cone Memorial Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway is also a great spot, along the Cone carriage trails or by Flat Top Manor. Drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway from milepost 285 to milepost 300 for gorgeous displays of the flower during peak bloom. The roadway winds between walls of the shrub in some spots and it’s simply breathtaking to drive alongside the flowers! In late June, mountain laurel is still showing clumps of white and pink blooms, though most spots of laurel are past peak. Though rhoddies are of interest to many visitors, there is always something to see, from flame azaleas in May to asters in September. For a full list of wildflower blooms along the Blue Ridge Parkway, visit the Bloom Schedule page on BlueRidgeParkway.org.
Instead of leaving your dog behind when you go on vacation, bring your four-legged family member to beautiful Blowing Rock! Below, we’ve outlined a great one night adventure of activities and sights that are perfect for you and your pet. Morning -Start your day off by taking a hike on one of our Blue Ridge Parkway trails! Many of our great hikes are located on the Parkway, including Linville Falls, Moses Cone Carriage Trails, Price Lake Loop Trail, and more! A great hike to look into if you want a moderate/strenuous hike is the Boone Fork Trail. Located on milepost 296.5, the Boone Fork Trail is a 5.2 mile loop trail that promises great views of meadows, ancient forests, mountains and also features a waterfall. If you want something less challenging, you can check out the Price Lake Loop Trail. This easy 2.7-mile loop circles the beautiful 47-acre Price Lake. It is a great short hike for you and your pup to explore. Note that for all trails on the parkway, dogs should remain on a leash. For more hikes around the area, visit our hiking page. Afternoon -To refuel your system after the hike, head over to one of our fantastic pet friendly restaurants. Many of our restaurants offer great outdoor seating and they love for pets to stop by. If you need ideas for places to eat with you and your pet, visit our pet friendly dining page. -Next, take a stroll around downtown Blowing Rock. Downtown Blowing Rock is very pet friendly and we love seeing dogs on Main Street! Our store owners love dogs and many of our shops have dog bowls sitting outside to make sure you pet stays hydrated while you’re walking around. Evening -Finally head over to one of dog friendly breweries for a beer and some food! We’re lucky here in North Carolina to have some amazing new breweries take scene in recent years. Both Blowing Rock Ale House here in town, or Appalachian Mountain Brewery in Boone have great outdoor seating and are very dog friendly! -After a long day, head back to one of our dog friendly lodging locations. We have many hotels that allow pets to stay with you during your vacation up here! Or if you decide to rent a home for a longer stay, there are many rental groups that will accommodate your pup! Click here to visit our pet friendly lodging page. The Next Day -On your next day, wake up and and grab some coffee over at Camp Coffee on Main Street! They have a wonderful selection of locally roasted and organic coffees as well as great pastries to start your morning out right. You can also go to Blowing Rock Market for a quick breakfast with outdoor seating! -Before you make that trip back home, head over to see the Blowing Rock itself with your pup! The Blowing Rock is an immense cliff 4,000 feet above sea level. It promises breathtaking views of our surrounding mountains that will give you something to talk about to all your friends and family. Enjoy the scenic views from the observation tower and their wonderful gardens. Visible from “The Rock” are Hawksbill Mountain, Table Rock, Grandfather Mountain, and Mount Mitchell. The Blowing Rock welcomes you and your pet to explore the magical views, as long as they are on a leash and it is not during a special event. Need more ideas? -Broyhill Park- Just behind downtown Blowing Rock is Broyhill Park. You and your dog can explore the gazebo and a walking trail through beautiful gardens.-Wineries around the area– We have awesome wineries that are very dog friendly around the area! Sip on some wine and enjoy the views with your dog by your side.-Boone’s Greenway– Located in Boone, the Greenway is a great trail that is a very popular spot for dogs.–Doc’s Rocks Gem Mining – A great option, especially if you have kiddos. This gem-mining experience for you and the family can be enjoyed with your pup watching next to you! Doc’s Rocks even has animals of their own around.-Grandfather Mountain– Did you know that you can also bring your pooch to see the famous swinging bridge and great views of Grandfather Mountain? Dogs are more than welcome but must be on a leash. Want to see more dog friendly ideas in Blowing Rock? visit https://blowingrock.com/dogs/
Blowing Rock is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway and bordered by the Pisgah National Forest, providing close proximity and easy access to a multitude of habitats. This area of the Blue Ridge Mountains provides a home for about 160 breeding species of birds, with over 250 species appearing with regularity during migrations. In fact, the High Country is one of the most diverse breedings and spring migration areas in the eastern United States, with large numbers of neo-tropical migrants and forest interior species. Several species, like the Canada Warbler, are at the southern-most end of their breeding range while here, contributing the wide assortment of birds found in our backyard. When is the best time to view birds in Blowing Rock? Spring migration in the area happens in April and May, and September is the best time to see fall migrations. The months between are great for viewing breeding species. Winter months are host to our year-round residents like crimson Cardinals and cheeky Juncos. Which species can be found here? See the The High Country species list here! The above list is created by the High Country Audubon Society. The High Country Audubon website is especially helpful if you want to time your visit to see certain birds. This local Audubon Chapter has a great website with checklists for great local birding spots, too! Where can birds be observed in Blowing Rock? With so many undeveloped areas near Blowing Rock, birds can be seen almost anywhere. Spending time on park benches early in the morning or in quiet woodlands on the Blue Ridge Parkway will reveal many species of interest. High Country Audubon offers a list of Local Birding Hotspots, complete with bird lists and access details for the sites! Find great details on Blowing Rock locations like Trout Lake, Sims Pond, and Price Lake, plus many others across the High Country. Many of the best places for bird viewing have become designated sites on the North Carolina Birding Trail, a state-wide collection of great birding sites and communities. Here is a list of official sites closest to the accommodations, dining, and activities in Blowing Rock. Nearby North Carolina Birding Trail sites – estimated mileage from Blowing Rock: Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, in Blowing Rock Julian Price Memorial Park, 5 miles from downtown Blowing Rock Tanawha Trail, access 5 miles Boone Greenway, 7 miles Grandfather Mountain, 12 miles Valle Crucis Community Park, 12 miles Elk Knob State Park, 17 miles Green Valley Community Park, 17 miles E.B Jeffress Park, 22 miles Lewis Fork Overlook, 24 miles Linville Falls, 25 miles Buckeye Lake Recreation Area, 27 miles The North Carolina Birding Trail recognizes many more sites in the mountains, piedmont and coast of our state. To see a full listing, and to get more information on the sites above, visit www.NCBirdingTrail.org. Other great birding links: Audubon North Carolina Carolina Bird Club Local Birding News on Ray’s Weather– This page is updated infrequently now, but archives give good info on past sightings, local habitats, and bird behavior While you’re here: Click the calendar link at the top of this page to see other events happening in the area. The attractions tab will show you what else the area has to offer during your visit. If you are coming to see a crimson Cardinal in the snow, don’t forget about our great local ski slopes. When here to see summer Warblers, plan to stay over for an Art in the Park show. Our restaurants, shops, and accommodations are great any time of year!
1.Waterfall HuntingGetting close to water is a great way to cool off, and few experiences are as exhilarating as getting close to a waterfall. Hikes vary from easy to strenuous, and a handful of area waterfalls even have a swimming hole. Blowing Rock has waterfalls right in town- just take the Glen Burney Trail. This shady hike follows the New Year Creek, offering views of the Glen Burney and Glen Marie Falls. When enjoying waterfalls, be sure to note posted signage on all local trails, and take care around steep spots. If you are curious to know more about local waterfalls, click here to see which ones spark your interest. 2. White water rafting or TubingIn Blowing Rock and our surrounding area, we have a collection of rafting companies that are great for groups of all sizes and ages. Make a reservation for an excursion that will take your group to the region’s best white water! Many of the rafting companies also provide a river tubing guide service on calmer waters. Some companies even offer cooler floats so you can stay hydrated while you’re out there on the water. Be sure to pack the sunscreen, because these trips can take a few hours! The New River is the most popular river to float down because it has a steady and calm current, and the depth ranges from 2-8 feet deep. Our rivers stay a very cool temperature year round, and you will be able to witness the natural beauty of the High Country while having fun with friends and family.To view white water and adventure companies, click here and choose the one that fits your needs. 3. Kayaking at Price LakeIf you prefer a self-guided way to cool down this summer, then stop by Price Lake. Price Lake is a 47 acre lake with calm water, perfect for canoeing and kayaking. You can rent watercraft if you don’t have your own, including canoes, single and double kayaks, and stand up paddle boards. Prices include the life jacket, paddles, and taxes. You are not allowed to swim in Price Lake, but it is very enjoyable to get out on the water and see the wonderful views.For more pricing information regarding Price Lake rentals and hours, click here
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