While the actual park frontage area is fairly tiny, consisting of not much but a small shelter with…read morepicnic tables, and a basketball court, it includes trailheads abutting some excellent running and hiking trails. On a recent visit, I was able to enjoy a brisk run along Steele Creek Lake on a wide, relatively flat trail covered in a bed of leaves (as indicated by my pictures). I also started a hike up the Lake Ridge Trail, more of a winding single-track with a good bit of up-and-down, but turned around due to an increasingly persistent chilly rain. I pretty much had the park all to myself, though I'm guessing the weather forecast of 45 degrees and rain had something to do with that. Even still, I'm guessing that due to the fairly sparse population of this area, it's rarely if ever what a big-city guy like myself would consider to be "crowded." If you're in the area and would like to go out for a run or walk, this park is definitely worth a visit.

Worth It 10 Times Over $30.42…read more Grandfather Mountain was the highlight of my trip to the North Carolina mountains and worth every penny. The experience starts the moment you arrive. The staff is organized, friendly, and efficient. They provide a map and a self-guided audio tour that plugs right into your car, making it easy to learn about the mountain as you drive from stop to stop. My advice: arrive before 11 a.m. and check Blue Ridge Parkway closures before you leave. There are still detours and road closures that can add significant time to your drive, and you don't want to miss your entry time. I headed straight to the top for the Mile High Swinging Bridge. The weather was classic mountain weather--cool temperatures in the 50s and 60s with fog drifting across the peaks. Even with the clouds rolling through, the views were absolutely stunning. If stairs are a concern, there's an elevator that takes visitors up to the bridge level. Afterward, I worked my way down the mountain, stopping at Split Rock before exploring the Wildlife Habitats. This area exceeded my expectations. I saw black bears, elk, a cougar, bald eagles, river otters, and plenty of butterflies. The botanical gardens were beautiful and everything was clearly marked and easy to navigate. The entire property is exceptionally well maintained. Clean restrooms at both the summit and wildlife center were an added bonus. I arrived around 10:30 a.m. and left shortly after noon, which gave me plenty of time to see everything at a comfortable pace. You could easily spend longer if you enjoy hiking or lingering at the exhibits. As someone escaping the summer heat in Charlotte, the cool mountain air alone was worth the drive. If you're visiting western North Carolina, put Grandfather Mountain on your bucket list. The scenery, wildlife, organization, and educational experience make it one of the best attractions in the region. There's a big world out there to explore. This is one place that's absolutely worth the trip.

Nice park and mountain, but $37 PER PERSON? With NO…read moresignage/pricing posted anywhere ... yikes I could understand for something like Yosemite or Yellowstone, but just a state park ...tough pill to swallow especially when it's not posted anywhere. I was planning to hike with some friends and we were going to start at one of the other lots but the roads were closed leaving us no choice but to enter the park. I really just wish the pricing/fees were posted somewhere-anywhere- because they weren't online or on the park signs out front. Had to pull up to the gate/window and even then the park ranger seemed to want to withhold that information as long as possible. The actual park is beautiful and well maintained- and you do get an audio guide plus map upon entry. But the lack of transparency here is a hard no for me. @azfitfoodfun

Took the trail from Dennis Cove rd. Beautiful well maintained trail. Fairly moderate until the…read morefinal climb down. Very steep but plenty of places to rest. Definitely one of my favorite waterfalls hikes yet.

An amazing place with a lot of tiny trails on the side. Great for photography and even just to…read morerelax.

I came seeking an azalea garden which was on the map. I did not read up sufficiently to realize…read morethat at this altitude, spring flowers are not blooming in April and seem to peak only in June. No, this is a legitimate mountainous area, and some snow was still on the ground. Having said that, nature delivers, regardless of the season. Hiking through a bit of the Appalachian Trail to the sounds of the freshest of water from this melting snow cascading down the slopes was not the worst experience. Most of the area had substantial tree cover, and as such was quite muddy given the melting, but a road that is only open during summer apparently offered an easer path to trek. Heading in the other direction led to a treeless peak with views of the surrounding countryside. Much of the paths swerved back and forth across state lines. It wasn't a terribly far drive from Asheville, or some of the other urban centers of the region, but there was not a lot of civilization in sight.

This is a beautiful little park in the center of town along the Doe River at the foot of the…read moreElizabethton Covered Bridge - it seems to be a gathering place and a roadside attraction, there were a number of tourists visiting the park during our time here. There's an old band stand in the middle of the park with scattered seating and a few charcoal grills so I'm sure they host local musical events throughout the year - lots of shade and a great spot to take a driving break or a picnic. If there is any negative here it's the port-a-potty restrooms (they are disgusting) so I suggest doing your business before arriving and not even think about opening the doors to peep inside. If you can avoid these you'll have a wonderful time here I'm sure...

Spanning both sides of the Doe River and bordered by Elk Avenue, this is a 2.25 acre park that…read moreincludes a small fountain, two pavilions, a gazebo, picnic tables, a large multi use stage and of course, the historic Doe River Covered Bridge. The park has a small gazebo and a large multi-use stage that is the site for not just weddings but also festivals. Several bands and jamborees are already scheduled for 2021. On the west side of the river is a tree stump with a marker denoting "In 1772, the first court west of the Alleghanies [sic] was held under this tree." And a second marker, "In 1772, Four years before the Declaration of Independence, settlers in the Watauga Valley adopted the first written constitution in North America." There is limited free parking at the park but there is more street parking in the surrounding area. Plan ahead and bring food for the numerous ducks and geese that hang out here. [Review 14963 overall, 465 of 2021, number 266 in Tennessee.]

Beautiful and Serene Park…read more This park is located in the Cherokee National Forest. My Harley-Loving husband takes us here all the time, he has a ride he calls the Watuaga Lake Loop. It is a great ride in the hotter months because of the higher elevations. For him, it is a great ride through both the Pisgah and Cherokee National Forests just getting to this lake. I love the ride because I love the water views with the mountains in the background at this lake. I have posted a couple of photos. There are actually a few parks around this lake however this particular one seems especially nice. I have seen small boats on this lake but never noticed any water sports such has water skiing. I imagine the water is probably too cold for that even in the summer. So that being said, it is a very quiet lake. We love boating also and are considering a pontoon for this lake. The park has the basics -- restrooms and picnic tables. We generally just stop for a picnic lunch. Cannot beat the views for lunch. I recommend this park for a picnic, or a solitary quiet time, or a romantic day trip to just name a few suggestions.

Area is amazing. Views are spectacular.read more

Fabulous ATV riding but the campground area needs a little work…read more I think the trails might have once been bridal trails. Some of them are really not dirt-bike friendly, but the 4-wheelers had no problem. Beautiful, well maintained mountain trails. The campground is VERY do it yourself. There was a note on the chalkboard that said be back in 30 minutes that could have been written 3 months ago. But it left instructions and we left our money in the box. Hey, there are bathrooms with lights, toilets and showers. That was enough for me. But there was also a large trash heap next to the campsite (tires, fridges, plastic chairs...) that could be cleaned up. When I stay at the mountain house again, I will be back.

This is a park in transition. It's under new management and the campsites are being cleaned up,…read morealong with other improvements. There are miles of trails that offer something for everybody. From dirt bikes to rock crawlers. I went with a group of Jeeps, some were lightly modified and others far more extreme. Everybody was able to find something challenging and fun. I look forward to going back again... and again.

Me and my wife recently visited this park. We parked by one entrance but didn't know that there was…read moreanother one with a parking lot for plenty of cars. This park has a beautiful story for it and why it's called Jacob's Nature Park . We embarked on a one mile Loop around the path. There was an obstructed tree that was actually black in our path that we had to climb over so be aware of that prior to this review if you were attempting to walk the path. There's also another path too if you follow the white markings on a tree. There is a nice creek along the path to for most of the trail. Overall, I thought it was a good part to check out. No public restrooms by the way! Plenty of park benches to sit on