Julian Price Memorial Park wilderness guide
National Park · NC

Julian Price Memorial Park

Julian Price Memorial Park is a picturesque expanse at the base of Grandfather Mountain, offering serene lake views, lush forests, and ample recreational opportunities.

National Park4,2002+ Trails

Designation

National Park

Total Wilderness Area

4,200

Elevation / Terrain

Diverse Wilderness

Field Editorial Guide

About Julian Price Memorial Park

Julian Price Memorial Park is a picturesque expanse at the base of Grandfather Mountain, offering serene lake views, lush forests, and ample recreational opportunities.

Wilderness Landscape & Natural Heritage

Julian Price Memorial Park, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, boasts a vast 4,200-acre landscape that serves as a serene retreat for nature lovers. The park is part of the Blue Ridge Parkway and is adjacent to Moses H. Cone Memorial Park. Its centerpiece is the 47-acre Price Lake, a popular spot for boating and fishing. The park is rich in biodiversity, housing a variety of flora and fauna typical of the Appalachian ecosystem. Named after Julian Price, an insurance executive and philanthropist, the park was established as a public recreation space. It offers ample opportunities for hiking, camping, and picnicking, along with stunning views of Grandfather Mountain. Notable trails include the Price Lake Trail and the Boone Fork Trail, which offer varying degrees of challenge and scenic beauty. The park's pristine landscapes attract over thousands of visitors annually, providing a peaceful respite from busy modern life.

Field Guide · National Park
Adventure Destinations

Notable Destinations Near Julian Price Memorial Park

Scenic viewpoints, outdoor landmarks, and notable points of interest within 60 miles.

Key Wilderness Highlights

✦ Price Lake's tranquil waters perfect for kayaking and canoeing✦ Diverse habitats supporting species like beaver and rare birds✦ Scenic Boone Fork Trail offering waterfalls and wildflowers✦ Crabtree Falls, which offers a stunning cascade of water
Wilderness Recreation

Outdoor Adventures in Julian Price Memorial Park

Explore curated guides for top outdoor sports, trail networks, and wilderness activities.

Park Recreation

Hiking

Available in Julian Price Memorial Park
Park Recreation

Camping

Available in Julian Price Memorial Park
Park Recreation

Wildlife Viewing

Available in Julian Price Memorial Park
Park Recreation

Fishing

Available in Julian Price Memorial Park
Park Recreation

Paddle Sports

Available in Julian Price Memorial Park
Park Recreation

Scenic Drives

Available in Julian Price Memorial Park
Park Recreation

Photography

Available in Julian Price Memorial Park
The Ranger Station

Visitor Logistics & Essential Planning

Everything you need to know about entrance passes, seasons, visitor centers, road transit, and wildlife safety in Julian Price Memorial Park.

Passes & Fees

Entrance Requirements & Interagency Passes

Free access with available parking.

Wilderness Checklist

Carry paper topographic map & compass in remote zones.
Store all food and scented items in approved bear canisters.
Check wildfire / smoke advisories before backcountry departure.
Pack out everything you pack in (Leave No Trace).
Wilderness Stays

Camping & Overnight Stays in Julian Price Memorial Park

Frontcountry developed campgrounds, backcountry wilderness permit guidelines, and starry-night camping advice.

Julian Price Campground

Located near Price Lake, offering a peaceful nature experience with facilities and picnic areas.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Adventure Basecamps

Gateway Towns Near Julian Price Memorial Park

Stay, dine, and gear up in these mountain towns and scenic basecamps surrounding the park.

Blowing Rock, North Carolina
⌖ 3.01 miles
Gateway Basecamp

Blowing Rock, North Carolina

Blowing Rock is a picturesque village perfect for outdoor enthusiasts craving hiking, mountain biking, and serene scenic drives. Experience the rugged beauty and rich history in North Carolina's highlands.

Spring and Fall
Explore Town
Seven Devils, North Carolina
⌖ 4.26 miles
Gateway Basecamp

Seven Devils, North Carolina

Seven Devils is a quiet mountain town ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. Experience thrilling zip-lining, serene hikes, and refreshing snow sports with a backdrop of stunning scenery.

Fall and Winter
Explore Town
Boone, North Carolina
⌖ 6.74 miles
Gateway Basecamp

Boone, North Carolina

Boone is a Blue Ridge adventure town where mountain biking, fly fishing, and hiking collide. With scenic drives, deep forests, and snowy slopes, it’s an ideal year-round basecamp for exploring the Appalachian High Country.

Spring and Fall
Explore Town
Linville, North Carolina
⌖ 8.76 miles
Gateway Basecamp

Linville, North Carolina

Linville, NC is a tranquil town providing access to breathtaking natural landmarks like Linville Gorge and Falls. Known for outdoor adventures like hiking and fly fishing, it's a nature lover's paradise.

Spring and Fall
Explore Town
Sugar Grove, North Carolina
⌖ 9.09 miles
Gateway Basecamp

Sugar Grove, North Carolina

Sugar Grove offers quiet mountain adventure with hiking, paddling, and camping in rugged terrain near Pisgah National Forest. Ideal for travelers seeking solitude in the North Carolina Appalachians.

Spring through Fall
Explore Town
Mortimer, North Carolina
⌖ 9.70 miles
Gateway Basecamp

Mortimer, North Carolina

Mortimer, NC offers a secluded escape for outdoor enthusiasts. Explore hiking trails, fish in Wilson Creek, and enjoy the wilderness of Pisgah National Forest. It's an ideal spot for camping, kayaking, and wildlife viewing.

Spring and Fall
Explore Town
Expert-Led Wilderness Expeditions

Guided Experiences in Julian Price Memorial Park

Explore scenic backcountry routes and epic wilderness adventures with certified local mountain guides, naturalists, and outfitters.

Canoe the New: South Fork paddling just east of Boone
ADVEXPEDITION
Boone, North Carolina
CanoeADV Bookable

Canoe the New: South Fork paddling just east of Boone

Guided and self-paced canoe outings on the South Fork of the New River — trips from 1.5 hours to more than six, with a simple, leave-your-worries-behind approach.

CanoePT2HCertified Outfitter
Bookable OnlineBook Trip
Air Shuttles — Boone’s Precise Airport Pickup
ADVEXPEDITION
Boone, North Carolina
ShuttleADV Bookable

Air Shuttles — Boone’s Precise Airport Pickup

A concise guide to Tour Boone’s Air Shuttles: how drivers time pickups, what to have ready, and the operator’s cancellation rule so travelers arrive on schedule.

ShuttlePT2HCertified Outfitter
Bookable OnlineBook Trip
Camp on the New River: Tent, Tube and Launch from Your Campsite
ADVEXPEDITION
Elizabethton, Tennessee
River TubeADV Bookable

Camp on the New River: Tent, Tube and Launch from Your Campsite

Riverside campsites on the New River let you pitch a tent with direct access to tubing, canoeing, kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding, with nearby showers and grills—this guide summarizes what to expect and how to plan.

River TubePT2HCertified Outfitter
Bookable OnlineBook Trip