FAQ

Answers to all your questions about visiting Boone, NC

Is the Blue Ridge Parkway open? How do I access the Blue Ridge Parkway near Boone?

This segment of the National Parks system can be accessed via several intersections in the Boone Area, spanning from Milepost 276 to 305 on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Look for brown signs indicating the parkway from:

• Highway 421 in Deep Gap (Directions)
• Old US 421 in Boone (Directions) 
• Bamboo Road in Boone (Directions)
• Highway 321 in Blowing Rock (Directions)
• Highway 221 in Blowing Rock (Directions)
• Highway 221 in Linville (Directions)
• The Blue Ridge Parkway does close sections of the roadway, including overlooks, if needed for construction or in the winter due to ice. See current Blue Ridge Parkway Closures at this link.

Spring/Summer

​When is the best time to visit Boone to see wildflowers, like the pink Rhododendron or flame azaleas?

• Catawba Rhododendron (bright fuchsia) usually blooms in late May or early June around the Boone area.
• Our Wildflower Wandering blog features the estimated blooming time for several other colorful flowers throughout the area.

What are the best hiking trails in Boone?

• In town, there are several excellent trails, including the Boone United Trail and Boone Greenway.
• Check our Hiking Page for more information about trails in the area, including those with iconic views along the Blue Ridge Parkway, at Grandfather Mountain State Park, and Elk Knob State Park. 

Can I rent bikes at Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park in Boone?

• Rent Mountain Bikes from Boone Bike or Magic Cycles. Bike racks are also available to rent.
• Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park is free to access and ride. The park is open from dawn to dusk. 
• Basic bike tools can be found at the base of the trails in the parking lot.

Are bikes allowed on the Greenway?

• Both the Boone Greenway and the Middle Fork Greenway are bike and pedestrian-friendly. 
• The Boone Greenway also allows skateboards, and a small skate park is above the greenway at Casey Lane.

Where can I play Disc Golf near Boone?

• Ashe County Park (18-hole course)
• Beech Mountain Resort downhill course (in summer only)
• Several courses in the nearby town of Wilkesboro

Are there golf courses in the Boone area?

• Public courses include the Boone Golf Club, Willow Creek Golf Course, and Sugar Mountain Golf Club.
• Nearby in West Jefferson, the Mountain Aire Golf Club is also open to the public.

What is Tweetsie Railroad Wild West Theme Park?

• Admission to Tweetsie Railroad includes a 20-minute train ride loop within the park.
• The park is open from April through September. Later in the year, the park opens only for Ghost Train and Tweetsie Christmas in the evenings.
• Enjoy shops, carnival rides, gem mining, live shows, and restaurants. 

Autumn

When is the best time to visit Boone to enjoy peak Fall Color? 

• Typically, the autumn leaf color reaches its peak in Boone around the second or third week of October.
• Higher elevation areas, like the peaks of Elk Knob and Grandfather Mountain, develop color earlier than Boone.
• Weather and elevation play a big part in the timing and vibrancy of the leaves. Check out Appalachian State University's Fall Color Guy for a local scientist's forecast.

Where can I go apple picking in the Boone area?

There are no You-Pick Apple Orchards in Watauga County. You-pick pumpkins and Christmas trees are available in the fall. 

• The Orchard at Altapass is on the Blue Ridge Parkway about an hour from Boone. 
• Apple Hill Farm is a Fiber Farm – no apples, but daily tours

Winter

When does the ski season typically happen in Boone?

• If the weather allows, the ski resorts near Boone will be open from Thanksgiving weekend to late March.
• There are three ski resorts near Boone: Appalachian Ski Mountain, Sugar Mountain Resort, and Beech Mountain Resort.
• Hawksnest Adventures, in nearby Seven Devils, offers snowtubing, too.
• The town of Beech Mountain also runs a free sledding hill for kids. Bring your own plastic sled!

Is there any place to ice skate in Boone?

• Two outdoor ice skating rinks are open seasonally in the area:
  • App Ski Mountain (20 minutes from Boone)
  • Sugar Mountain (30 minutes from Boone)

General Info

What should we do in Boone on a rainy day?

Even on a rainy day, there are plenty of indoor activities to enjoy.

• Try shopping in a craft gallery or thrifting at a vintage shop. 
• Visit any of Boone or Blowing Rock's museums
• Rejuvenate at a spa
• Go mining for gems
• Create a work of art at The Pottery Lot
• Revel in a local anomaly at Mystery Hill
• Play at the Children's Playhouse
• Arcade games in Boone Mall, billiards at Country Retreat, and bowling at High Country Lanes
• See North Carolina's only show cavern at Linville Caverns
• Try your hand at bouldering - indoors at Center 45
• Attempt to escape from Mysterium in downtown Boone
• Tee 2 Green offers indoor golf simulators to hit the links 
• Check the schedule for the Appalachian Theatre or the movie theatre
• Watauga Community Recreation Center offers day passes for the gym and recreation pool

What kinds of things are accessible to people with disabilities in the Boone area?

• Grandfather Mountain's Mile High Swinging Bridge & Museum (The animal habitats are paved, but at a steep incline)
• Blue Ridge Parkway scenic overlooks, and some facilities and trails. 
  • About 3/4 of a mile of trail at Julian Price Lake is accessible. Fishing piers are accessible along this trail.
  • Bass Lake has a handicapped accessible ramp, restrooms, and a gravel loop trail.
  • The lower level of Moses Cone Manor is accessible
• Roadside Waterfalls on the Highway 221 Scenic Byway, like Green Mountain Creek Falls
• Valle Crucis Community Park trail and picnic area
• The Middle Fork Greenway near Mystery Hill and Tweetsie Railroad
• The Boone Greenway's main trailhead is on Deerfield Rd, and by the Watauga Recreation Center.
• Tweetsie Railroad (wheelchair rentals are available)
• The Blowing Rock
• Arborcrest Gardens Electric Vehicle Tour (reservation required)

I want to rent a cabin near a ski resort, a river, or with a mountain view. How do I find the best option for my group?

Browse our cabin listings and use the filters to search for amenities like "Near Water" or "Group Accommodations" or "Hottub"

Or, call a Cabin Rental Company to find the best fit:

• Anderson Mountain Rentals (828) 386-6536
• Blue Ridge Rentals (800) 237-7975
• Jenkins Rentals (828) 295-9888
• Carolina Cabin Rentals (828) 295-6000
• Foscoe Rentals (828) 963-8142

What hotels are within walking distance of Appalachian State? 

• Find hotels and cabins to fit any family within 1 mile of App State on this page.

What is the closest airport to Boone? Is there a shuttle?

• The nearest airports (about a two-hour drive from Boone) are CLT (Charlotte-Douglas), GSO (Piedmont-Triad), TRI (Tri-Cities), and AVL (Asheville).
• The Hickory Hop has regularly shuttles from Charlotte Douglas International (CLT).
• Sunway Charters offers a bus service from the Charlotte and Greensboro areas.
• Find more Transportation options on our website at this link.

How far is Boone from Blowing Rock?

• Only 8 miles away, and usually only a 20-minute drive. 

Where can I rent a car in the Boone Area?

• Enterprise Rent-A-Car Boone (828) 268-9761
• Ride-share, shuttle, and taxi options can be found at our website: here

What campgrounds in the Boone area are open year-round?

• Blue Bear Campground (828) 406-4226
• Grandfather Campground (828) 963-7275

What is the weather like in Boone?

• Summer - Lows in the 50s; Highs in the 70s
• Fall - Lows in the 40s and 50s; Highs in the 60s
• Winter - Lows in the 20s; Highs in the 30s
• Spring - Lows in the 30s and 40s; Highs in the 50s and 60s.
• Looking for the best current local forecast? We recommend Ray's Weather. 
• The weather can change drastically in just a short distance when you are traveling to different elevations; pack an extra layer to be safe!

Have a question we don't cover below? Feel free to contact us with specific questions.