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	Area Recreation -- A guide by Patrick Craft

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Tri-Cities Outdoor/ Culture Activities
Patrick Craft

In addition to caving, Northeast Tennessee is blessed to be located in the heart of the southeastern US with easy access to many outdoor activities; on/off road bicycling, hiking, rock climbing, canoeing, and rafting. This guide will focus on some of the better known or easily accessible areas. All these areas are within about 90 miles of the campground. One should remember mountain roads are curvy; what looks straight on a map may be circuitous and time consuming. All times listed are one way from the campground.

Hiking: The most famous footpath in the US is the Appalachian Trail (AT). Close to 200 miles of the AT is within 90 miles drive from the campground. I will mention just four areas in the region with easy access and unparalleled views.

Roan Highlands

The largest concentration of “balds” in the US is the Roan Highlands. (Balds are mountains covered with grass or mountain laurel/ rhododendron.) The AT bisects the high ridge of the North Carolina/ Tennessee state line. Carvers Gap is the highest highway gap in the eastern US and the jump-off for the Roans. At Carvers one can park, hike south (same side as parking lot) on the AT to the tree covered summit of Roan High Knob (2.8 miles round trip) and the location of the highest shelter on the entire trail (6285 feet), or head north over the bald summits of Round Bald, Jane Bald, and a side trail to Grassy Ridge (6 miles RT). The views from Round Bald and Grassy are some of the finest in the south. Drive is about 70 miles. Go south 32 miles on US 19-E to Roan Mountain, Tenn. Make a right on TN 143 and drive about 15 miles to Carvers Gap and the parking lot. You may continue, turn right at Carvers Gap, and drive two miles to the Cloudland Rhododendron Gardens and the Rhododendron Trail – this is also a shortcut to the High Knob.

Grandfather Mountain

The highest peak on the Blue Ridge escarpment is Grandfather Mountain at 5964 feet. Grandfather is privately owned and hence an admission fee ($14 for adults, $12 seniors, $6 age 4-12, under 4 free). The park has a museum, zoo, picnic areas, the Top Shop and “Mile High Swinging Bridge” (actually a mile above sea level).For those wanting to hike, Grandfather’s hiking trails are some of the most difficult in the southeastern US. The Grandfather Trail, the ridgeline summit trail, is rocky, steep with some significant exposure to falls. However, the views are spectacular. In the winter, on a clear day, I have seen downtown Charlotte (over 80 miles). I have also camped in temps below zero with -25 wind chill. Travel time about 1 hour 15 minutes. Follow directions to Roan Mountain but continue seven miles (past the TN 143 turn) into North Carolina and bear straight onto NC 194 leading to Newland, where US 19-E turns R. Another 5 miles brings you to Newland, go left on NC 181 to Linville. Where 181 goes right, continue straight through stoplight and up US 221 to park entrance in 4 miles.

3) Grayson Highlands

The Grayson Highlands are a group of mountains equal to the Roan Highlands. Here are the open balds of Wilburn Ridge, Pine Mountain, and Stone Mountain. They, too, are bisected by the AT and contain the highest peak in Virginia, Mount Rogers (5729 feet). I suggest two points to access the Highlands, Elk Garden and Grayson Highlands State Park – GHSP.

To get to Elk Garden, travel north on I-81 to exit 35/ Chilhowie. Turn right onto VA 600, drive 14 miles up and over Iron Mountain. After descending, take the second left (here VA 600 turns off) and ascend to Elk Garden and parking. Cross the road and go north on the AT 4 miles out to Thomas Knob shelter and side trail up Mt Rogers. Continue north to see more views and return the same way. Or head south on the AT (same side as parking) 2 miles to the summit of Whitetop Mountain with a distant view of Bristol Speedway. (If one continues south on VA 600, about a mile past Elk Garden is FS 89/ Whitetop Mountain Rd. Take a right and drive to the summit of Whitetop.) Elk Garden is a 70-mile drive from the campground.

To access via GHSP continue past exit 35 and take exit 45 at VA 16. Travel 25 miles to US 58 and turn right (west). Drive about 8 miles to the state park entrance. There is a small parking fee and many trails to take you onto the balds. This is a 1 hr 45 minute drive.

Linville Gorge:

Often called the Grand Canyon of the east, Linville Gorge Wilderness Area is a hiker’s delight. The gorge is rugged and trails unblazed. This is not the area for the novice hiker. The best advice I have for people unfamiliar with this area is to get information at Linville Falls information center, on the Blue Ridge parkway at Linville Falls (see below) For leisurely hikers I suggest a drive up to the Table Rock parking area and hike to the summit of Table Rock or over to Shortoff. See directions below in the rock climbing section.

Bicycling:

Ride the famous Virginia Creeper rail to trail. At 34 miles it stretches from Abingdon to Whitetop Station. Take your pick as to the route. Call and make reservations for a bike and or a shuttle from outfitters in Damascus: Bike Station 866-475-3629, Blue Blaze 800-475-5095, Creeper trail rental 276-475-3611, Iron Horse 866-757-2453, JC 866-475-5727, Laughing Dog 888-595-2453, or Sun Dog 866-515-3441.
Other off road at Steele Creek Park in Bristol or ask one of the rentals in Damascus about single track in the area.

For road riding less traffic can be found east and south of the campground. For the adventurous go east on US 421 over South Holston lake and climb over Iron Mountain and down to Shady Valley. The climb from the lake ascends 1700 feet in about 9 miles. For even more adventurous travel go to Roan Mountain, Tenn. and climb from the post office downtown to the Rhododendron Gardens. This monster 14-mile climb gains 3500+ feet and has been used on the Tour DuPont. There are many other challenging climbs, just pick a hill and go up!

Rafting:

The lower Watauga River would be a cool respite from the heat. For rafting contact Cherokee Adventures 1-423-743-7733 or Watauga Kayak 423-542-6777. The put-in is about 35 minutes away.

Fishing:

Lake fishing on South Holston or Boone Lakes (TVA), South Holston, Middle Fork Holston, Doe, or Watauga rivers For information call; Virginia Creeper Fly Fishing (276) 628-3826 or High Country Angler (704) 641-6815.

A special out of the way spot is Hidden Valley Lake atop Clinch Mountain just west of Abingdon. This 61 acre lake sits 3500 feet above sea level. There is a boat launch and trails. From Abingdon, follow US 19/Alternate US 58 approximately 8 miles north, and turn to right on VA 690. Go 2.4 miles on VA 690 to parking area at a fork in the road. To reach the lake, go 1 mile on the left fork and turn right. From the Campground it’s about 40 minutes.

Blue Ridge Parkway:

Drive leisurely, picnic, and relax on the most beautiful highway in America. The closest access is only two miles past the Grandfather Mountain entrance (see above). From this point one can drive south on the parkway to Linville Gorge and Humpback Mountain or north to Cone and Price parks. There are many trails and luckily there is an information booth at the Linn Cove viaduct only 2 miles north of the US 221/Grandfather Mountain intersection.

Rock climbing:

The closest area is Ship Rock, on the Blue Ridge Parkway. (This is the large rock one mile past the Linn Cove Viaduct or five miles from the Grandfather Mountain entrance.) No roadside parking is allowed on the parkway below the rock; park at the next overlook to the north. Routes range in difficulty from 5.5 to 5.12.
South on the parkway is Linville Gorge, a climbers paradise. Hundreds of routes can be found on peaks such as Hawksbill, Shortoff, and Table Rock. To get to the Table Rock parking area, follow the directions to Grandfather Mountain. In Linville turn right onto US 221/ NC 181, go four miles to Pineola. Follow NC 181 as it turns left, heading toward Morganton. Drive about seven miles and turn right onto Gingercake Rd. (There is a Forest Service marker for Table Rock.) Follow this paved (then gravel) road about seven miles to the Table Rock parking area. From the speedway to the Table Rock parking lot is about 90 miles. For information about hiking stop at the information center at Linn Cove or at Linville Falls.

Waterfalls:

Laurel Fork Gorge: Easy two mile hike up an old RR grade. From Elizabethton, take Hwy 19E/ 321 to Hampton, then turn left onto Hwy 321/67 toward Mountain City and Boone and continue for 1.3 miles to the trailhead on right (Grindstaff Cave is to the left). Follow foot trail 2.5 miles to falls. This is about 30 miles from the campground.

Elk falls: (45 miles) Beautiful pour-over with a great swimming hole.
Head south on US 19-E. After crossing into NC, look for a sign just before entering the town of Elk Park. The sign is brown with white letters, on the left side of the road, and says "Elk River Falls". Turn left at the sign onto Old Mill Rd. Continue on this road for about 1/4 mile and turn left onto Elk River Rd. Follow this road to the end (just over four miles) where there is a parking area.

Linville falls: Spectacular view from above. This can be combined with hiking and picnicking in the gorge. The falls are located at Mile Post 316.3 of the Blue Ridge Parkway, north of where US 221 crosses the Parkway and south of where NC 181 crosses the Parkway

Hebron Falls: A series of cascades, these falls are on Blue Ridge Parkway land. Follow the directions above for Grandfather Mountain. In Linville take HWY 105 north. Drive 10 miles; after passing through Foscoe turn right onto Old Shull's Mill Road. The road turns left; follow it by staying on Old Shull's Mill Road. After passing a church on the left, take a right onto Old Turnpike Road. This is a gravel road. Drive for about 5 to 8 minutes and when the road comes to a hairpin turn to the right; the trail goes down into the woods to the right. Park here. Walk for about 10 minutes to reach the river.

Wandering/Culture:

For those not interested in outdoor adventures, may I suggest wandering about. I would consider heading out in a car and driving. In Tennessee there are rolling back roads. In Virginia there are long SW to NE trending mountain ridges, with narrow back roads. Virginia has some of the narrowest secondary roads anywhere. In the North Carolina mountains the roads can be a pleasant drive or a nausea, vertigo inducing nightmare.

Bristol is the home of country music with a delightful downtown and Steele Creek park. Bristol is the mid point of the Crooked Road, Virginia’s Heritage Music trail. Cabaret will be playing at Theatre Bristol June 6 and 7. Call 423-968-4977. Thursday night, the Bristol Country Music Association hosts a free concert at the Bristol Mall.

South of Bristol drive to Jonesborough and Greeneville, Tennessee. Jonesborough is the oldest town in Tennessee and a pretty downtown for strolling. Greeneville is also a historical city with the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site and Davy Crockett Birthplace state park. Jonesborough has a free concert on the town square in front of the courthouse every Friday night, usually with a bluegrass bent. Check out the many unique gift shops and restaurants on the square.

Even further south is Asheville, NC, home of Biltmore Estate and Thomas Wolfe. Asheville is one of my favorites; great food, great mountains and great atmosphere. Called by a local “the freak capital of the south”, I have spent much time here, walking and bicycle riding through town. It’s a great day trip, 1 hour 15 minutes from the campground.

To the east, much has been said above. Spruce Pine, Banner Elk, Newland, Linville, Boone, Blowing Rock, Jefferson, and Sparta are all easily reached. All these towns can be enjoyed by parking the car and walking. From handmade mountain crafts to expensive jewelry, all can be located in these small (and not so small) places. The NW area of NC is best accessed from the Tri-Cities through Damascus, Virginia to Mountain City, Tennessee or Elizabethton, Tennessee to Newland, Norht Carolina.

The following routes are slow and time consuming. If time is not a factor take these roads. You have been warned.

US 421 from Bristol east to Mountain City
US 321 from Hampton east to Vilas
US 19-E from Elk Park south to Plumtree
US 221 from Linville north to Blowing Rock
NC 194 anywhere
US 58 from Damascus east to Independence

North of Bristol is Abingdon, Virginia, home of the state theatre of Virginia, the Barter. Further north is historic Marion and outlet shopping in Wytheville. On the schedule in June at the Barter is; “Don’t Cry For Me Margaret Mitchell” and “Sleeping Beauty”. Call (276) 628-3991. In Marion at the historic Lincoln Theatre on June 6 is the a capella group Pure Gold. Call (276) 783-6093. One can wander east of Damascus toward Independence and Sugar Grove. Slow roads here are VA 80 from Meadowview to Elk Garden and VA 16 from Marion to Tazewell.

West of Bristol is Kingsport and Warriors Path state park. Further west is Natural Tunnel state park. Don’t forget the Carter Fold, the home of the legendary Carter family and Saturday night performances (at a nominal admission charge). On the schedule for June 7 are the Master Musicians of the Crooked Road. See the A.P. Carter cabin and museum. In the Tri-Cities, the Carter Fold is a must see! Call (276) 386-6054.

US 421 between Bristol and Kingsport is a nightmare, use 11W.

Below are the links to above attractions and Tri Cities region:

Abingdon: http://www.abingdon.com/

Asheville: http://www.exploreasheville.com/index.aspx

Barter Theatre: http://www.bartertheatre.com/

Boone, NC Chamber Commerce: http://www.boonechamber.com/

Bristol Birthplace of Country Music events http://www.birthplaceofcountrymusic.org/event/2008/06/01/month/all/all/1

Bristol Convention Bureau http://www.bristolchamber.org/BristolVisit/html/arts___culture.html

Bristol Motor Speedway: http://www.bristolmotorspeedway.com/

Bristol Theatre: http://www.theatrebristol.org/

Carter Fold: http://www.carterfamilyfold.org/area.htm

Crooked Road: http://www.thecrookedroad.org/