COVID-19 Travel Updates
Individuals are urged to wear masks indoors in public settings, stay at least six feet from others, and wash hands frequently, regardless of vaccination status.
The town of Boone is under a state of emergency order and has reinstated a mask mandate. Face coverings are required in all indoor public spaces in Boone town limits. Masks are not required for children 2 and under. Some exclusions apply to athletic facilities. View the State of Emergency order for more information.
Watauga County has declared a State of Emergency, as of August 18, 2021. Face coverings must be worn in county owned buildings. Read the Watauga County State of Emergency Declaration here.
NC Executive Order 224 includes masking and testing requirements for state cabinet employees: Learn more here
To learn more about NC's Current Health & Safety Restrictions: Visit the Current Restrictions page on NC.gov
Appalachian State University requires face coverings indoors as of 8-4-21, learn more here: App State COVID-19 Updates
Read more about the COVID-19 Data in the region at the Appalachian Regional Healthcare Dashboard
Visit the CDC's website for all current health and safety guidance
Open in the Boone Area:
- Many restaurants, retail businesses, amusement parks, and other attractions have opened with full capacity
- These establishments may require masks or proof of vaccination
- Please be patient with Boone area restaurants, many of which are experiencing staff shortages and supply chain disruption
Blue Ridge Parkway - The Blue Ridge Parkway roads and hiking trails in the area are open.
Sections of the Blue Ridge Parkway will close due to snow and ice occasionally. Keep updated on their Road Closures page.
Grandfather Mountain State Park - Trails and restrooms are open. Learn more about park operations HERE
Elk Knob State Park - Trails and restrooms are open. Masks required indoors. Learn more about park hours and operations HERE
Grandfather Mountain - Reservations for the attraction must be made online, in advance. Purchase tickets at Grandfather.com
Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park - Trails and playground are open. Biking trails will close in the winter months from time to time. Stay updated on trail status here.
Appalachian Ski Mountain - Open for skiing, snowboarding & ice skating, online reservations are required. Check out the Slope Report here.
Beech Mountain - Open for skiing & snowboarding. Check out the Snow Report here.
Hawksnest Snowtubing & Zipline - Open for ziplining and snowtubing. Advanced reservations are required for both.
Sugar Mountain - Open for skiing, snowboarding, snowtubing & ice skating. Tickets are first come, first serve. See current conditions on SkiSugar.com
High Gravity Adventures - Zipline and Aerial park open with limited winter hours, advanced reservations are required.
Tweetsie Railroad - Open only for the Tweetsie Christmas event, reservations required. See new park operations here.
The Appalachian Theatre - Open for events. View the theatre's current schedule by clicking here.
The Turchin Center - The gallery is open to the public. See website for hours. Will be closed Sunday, December 19 , 2021 through Monday, January 3, 2022.
The Jones House - Downstairs gallery and restrooms open.
Mast General Store in Downtown Boone
The Original Mast General Store and Annex in Valle Crucis
Mystery Hill - Open daily.
Blowing Rock Art and History Museum - Open to the public with free admission, Tuesday through Saturday, 11am to 5pm.
Apple Hill Farm - Open for tours by reservation only, seven days a week.
The Blowing Rock - Open daily.
The Children's Playhouse - Open to the public, reservations required.
Remember to Leave No Trace when recreating outdoors by planning ahead, respecting wildlife, packing out any trash, and being respectful of others by social distancing. Click here to learn more about the 7 Leave No Trace Principles.
Closed (temporarily) in the Boone Area:
Horn in the West Outdoor Drama - 2021 Season ended August 7th.
Hickory Ridge Museum - Closing day for the season was November 13th.
Howard's Knob Park - Closed for the Season. Will be open May 1st - October 20th. Hours are 8:30am - 7:30pm daily.
Boone Golf Club - Public golf course closed on November 7th, tee time reservations are recommended.
The Parkway Craft Center at Moses Cone Memorial Park is closed for the season. Reopens April, 2022. The park and hiking trails remain open.
Some Blue Ridge Parkway Facilities - Linville Falls Visitor Center, campground and picnic area are closed for the season. Price park campground is also closed for the season. See more updates on Blue Ridge Parkway Facilities here.
Sky Valley Zip Tours - Closed for the season November 30, 2021. Reopens March 2022.
Count On Me NC Business Training
Participants of the state-wide Count On Me NC training program are implementing extra sanitation procedures, capacity limits, extra training, and extra caution and to ensure the safety of their patrons.
Participating Boone Hotels:
- Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton
- Super 8, Boone
- Sleep Inn, Boone
- La Quinta Boone
- The Horton Hotel and Rooftop Lounge
- Holiday Inn, Boone (University Area)
- Holiday Inn Express
Check out CountOnMeNC.org for more information on participating businesses.
