The master plan for developing Elk Knob State Park near Boone proposes a campground, an accessible scenic overlook area atop Elk Knob, up to 27 miles of new trail, day use areas and a new visitors center. “A major focus of the plan is expansion and land acquisition to increase connectivity of noncontiguous parcels and to connect the Northern Peaks State Trail,” the executive summary to the plan says.
The Northern Peaks State Trail is to eventually connect Rivers Park in downtown Boone to Elk Knob State Park, West Jefferson and Mount Jefferson State Natural Area in Ashe County. The 11-mile segment of the trail planned for Elk Knob is likely to be one of the first portions of the proposed 40-mile trail put in place, the executive summary of the master plan says.
The final Elk Knob State Park master plan, which is presented mostly as infographics, is a 20-year plan for the park’s development. It includes several pages explaining feedback from the public comment period begun in August 2019 and concepts that were rejected.
First to be built is a day use area south of the park’s main entrance on Meat Camp Road that would encompass a picnic area with restrooms, pavilion and stage, a quarter-mile ADA trail and a trailhead for the Northern Peaks Trail. Next, at the park’s main entrance, a day use area is to include the new visitors center and park headquarters, a “nature play area,” pavilion with fireplace, event lawn and stage, parking and a trailhead kiosk just off of the main parking lot.
Future Campground at Elk Knob State Park
Peak Campground is to be developed on the site of an inactive tree farm in the park. The concept calls for first building 27 primitive car camping tent sites, showerhouse and restrooms, an interpretive firepit area and trailhead parking.
Full-hookup RV sites, a second showerhouse and restrooms, camping cabins, and an adjacent day use picnic area are under consideration for a second phase of campground development. The illustration below is from the master plan.
Trailheads in Peak Campground will provide access to the park’s backcountry, the Northern Peaks State Trail and to the Elk Knob Summit Trail to the scenic overlook atop Elk Knob (elev. 5,520 feet).
The scenic overlook will also be accessible by car and have parking and interpretive and wayfinding signage. (The photo at the top of this article is the view from the proposed scenic overlook.)
Under the master plan, existing trails may be rerouted and, with additions, the park is to have 25 to 33 miles of new and existing trail, with future trails to be considered. Elk Knob State Park now has about 6.5 miles of trail.
The total cost of the plan, including ongoing land acquisition, is about $27 million, the state’s document says.
Elk Knob State Park was established in 2003 and encompasses over 4,200 acres in Watauga and Ashe counties. The state parks website says it features “one of the parks system’s finest trails to the spectacular views from the summit” of Elk Knob. In addition to its trails, which are open for cross-country skiing in season, the park currently offers backcountry camping, 11 picnic sites with grills and tables (two handicapped accessible) and a visitors center. The park protects the headwaters of the North Fork of the New River, one of the oldest rivers in the world.
The N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation is accepting public comment on the master plan for Elk Knob until July 10. To provide feedback, email the North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation Planning and Program Manager Dave Head at dave.head@ncparks.gov.
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