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Boone Fork Trail

Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.6 (72)
  1. Areas
  2. NC
  3. …West and Mountains
  4. …Blue Ridge Parkway (Highlands District)
  5. Julian Price Memorial Park
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“Waterfalls, creek crossings, rhododendron tunnels, oh my! THE 5 mile Boone area classic. ”

Eric Heistand
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Map Key

5.4

Miles

8.7

KM

Loop

3,526' 1,075 m

High

3,070' 936 m

Low

583' 178 m

Up

581' 177 m

Down

4%

Avg Grade (2°)

21%

Max Grade (12°)

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Swimming · Waterfall

Description

Roots, rocks, and rivers: The Boone Fork Trail is the must-hike loop in the area for experienced hikers. From the Price Lake Picnic Area parking lot (not to be confused with the Price Lake pullout or Price Lake Campground), cross the foot bridge near the bathroom and get ready for some fun! Most people hike the loop counter-clockwise.

The first three miles are all about the water. Hike through meadows, then rhododendron tunnels along Boone Fork. Expect some mud and wide trail erosion. Most other trail users are heading just 1 mile in to Hebron Falls, a worthy sidetrip.

The next 2 miles are just you and the ancient forest. Around the 2.5 mile mark, you'll drop into low gear for the slow and wet climb up Bee Tree Creek where there are too many creek crossings to count.

Top out at the meadow and blaze down perfect trail into Price Creek Campground. The trail will spit you out where you began. Didn't get enough? Consider linking this up with Green Knob Trail and Price Lake Loop for the Triple Crown!

Contacts

Land Manager: USFS - Pisgah National Forest Grandfather Ranger District

Shared By:

Eric Heistand
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.6 from 72 votes

#1

in Julian Price Memorial Park

#13

Overall
  4.6 from 72 votes
5 Star
69%
4 Star
25%
3 Star
3%
2 Star
1%
1 Star
1%
Trail Rankings

#1

in Julian Price Memorial…

#1

in North Carolina

#13

Overall
83 Views Last Month
23,074 Since Jan 15, 2016
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
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Photos

Boone Fork Creek.
Oct 9, 2016 near Foscoe, NC
Water trickles down Hebron Falls.
Mar 26, 2017 near Foscoe, NC
The Boone Fork Trail heads into the meadow before diving back into the forest.
Mar 26, 2017 near Foscoe, NC
One of the numerous Bee Tree Creek crossings on the Boone Fork Loop.
Jan 15, 2016 near Foscoe, NC

1 Comment

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Current Trail Conditions

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Check-Ins

Oct 13, 2023
De Curran
Lots of water crossings, ladders, stairs, rock scaling, beautiful views! The fall colors were outstanding! Hubby had knee replacement & we struggled. 5.4mi — 4h 45m
Aug 1, 2023
John Rausch
No rain for 3 days but still an uncountable number of mud obstacles. 23 water crossings (2 with logs, the rest with stones), 6 bridges and several… 5.4mi — 4h 25m
Nov 3, 2022
Beau Trivers
What a beautiful trail! Length is closer to 6 miles than the 5 posted on markers - which also seem to reverse themselves around mile. High marks! 6mi — 2h 45m
Oct 23, 2021
Kiril Stoyanov
Sep 13, 2021
Jennifer Marquardt
Picnic area to Halloway Meadow Loop to picnic area to MST Bridge to picnic area. Trying to stay flat-ish for others in group. 7.4mi
Aug 13, 2021
Jan More
Apr 14, 2021
Drew Sigmon
5.4mi — 2h 20m
Mar 23, 2021
Jennifer Marquardt
Picnic area to Holloway Meadow Loop and back. I wish they weren't letting the meadow grow over. 3.9mi — 1h 38m

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