My daughter wanted to check out App State University as she thought about applying there for college and we took a weekend trip to Boone, NC.

We kept seeing signs and promos for Blowing Rock, NC and decided to go ahead and take a little visit.

What you should know before visiting Blowing Rock:

 

• The parking lot is REALLY small. Go early because there was a LONG line as we were leaving just to park.
• Tickets are $9 for ages 13+ with discounts for students (with ID) and Military or 60+
• It can be really crowded.  There was a pretty big crowd trying to get their turn to pose on the Blowing Rock and the trails are pretty narrow so we felt pressured to HURRY and get out of the way.
• The limited trails are easy to navigate and not very steep.
• There are several places set up to have lunch or snack at cute little hidden away tables on the trail.
• The gift shop has MANY offensive products in the shop depicting Native Americans in stereotypical attire or actions. What wasn’t offensive was over priced.
• My opinion: it’s an overpriced tourist trap.

 

 

 

The views from Blowing Rock are amazing though.  Sadly we went at peak color change and it was pretty crowded so our time at the best lookout spots was limited.

 

This is up on one of the Blowing Rock Overlooks.

 

For my daughter, my husband and I it was $27 to get into Blowing Rock and while the reviews were beautiful….it just wasn’t worth it for a super short little trail and a few overlooks.

My advice: Skip The Blowing Rock. It’s not worth the money.

Instead- stop at overlooks along the Blue Ridge Parkway (FREE) and check out EB Jeffress Park (also free)

Look at this view.

 

This is 100% FREE- it was a stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway.   There are multiple overlooks along the parkway . We stopped at two and the views were AMAZING. It’s about a 30 minute drive down the parkway from Blowing Rock to the park.

What you should know about Jeffress Park

• It is Free. It’s a US National Park.
• Parking was a pretty decent at the entrance we parked in. It’s not extensive but was more than Blowing Rock.
• Some areas got congested (near the water falls) but the trails themselves were wide open.
• There are multiple picnic tables and open spaces to have a picnic lunch overlooking the mountains.
• The way down to the waterfalls can be slippery and steep. This is NOT an area for small children or ones needing to be carried. (see photos below). The way back UP is very steep and handrails are not always the easiest to use.

 

 

Entrance to Cascades Trail

 

Trail

 

Stairs down to Waterfall

 

The Waterfall in the Park (this picture does NOT do it justice)

Waterfalls

 

Cascades and a Bridge