Page 17 - Wilkes County NCG 2024

W. Kerr Scott Reservoir
Mead-making in Wilkes County

is Abuzz with Adventure

RECREATION

Living for Adventure in the Great Outdoors

The massive granite dome at Stone
A s the Yadkin River flows through its Mountain State Park keeps watch over park outcrop. Water pours through various fissures
in the rock for approximately 100 feet before
namesake valley, the Blue Ridge
visitors enjoying nearly every type of outdoor
Mountains provide a serene setting
dropping to the pool below.
for daily life, along with exciting adventures. activity – camping, hiking, climbing, fishing Intersection of Pleasant Ridge Rd. & Martin Byrd Rd.,
Let’s go! picnicking, horseback riding, and more. More Elkin, NC
This outdoor setting is why several outdoor than 18 miles of trails are matched by more
outfitter companies are here: clothes and than 20 miles of designated trout waters.
tools for camping, biking, and hiking in pristine Dropping almost 200 feet, Stone Mountain
forests, trips to witness cascading waterfalls, Falls is just one of many great features of the
boats and gear for rushing rivers, and anglers’ park. While the hike to the falls is moderately Wilkes is Active!
gear for fly fishing. challenging, a set of wooden stairs makes the
1.2-mile trek from the upper trailhead parking
Parks & Trails lot doable for family groups. A more scenic • 2 State Parks in Wilkes
Discover the Eddy Merle Watson route from the lower trailhead will take you • 12 Local Parks
Garden of the Senses with a diversity of by the Hutchinson Homestead, a restored • 1 Lake & 6 Named Reservoirs
plants that have strong aromas and textures, mid-19th century mountain farm, for a 3-mile • 86 Summits
while featuring Braille-labeled plants and round trip.
sculptured music and alphabet walls. Open Rock climbing is allowed by permit • 5 Waterfalls
sunrise to sunset. on the 600-foot granite face of the • 35 Mountain Bike Trails
1328 Collegiate Dr., Wilkesboro, NC 28697 mountain, and climbers look down on • 9.5 Miles of Yadkin River Greenway
wilkescc.edu/community Hutchinson Homestead.
Unreserved picnic shelters are available • Also Disc Golf, Equestrian, Swimming,
first-come, first-served.
Rendezvous Mountain showcases 3042 Frank Pkwy., Roaring Gap, NC 28668 Boating, Camping
magnificent mountain hardwoods accessible (336) 957-8185 | Camping & Shelter
by a series of well-marked trails, accented by reservations: (877) 722-6762
exhibits interpreting the ecology of the forest. ncparks.gov/stone-mountain-state-park
Visitors enjoy the vista views, shaded picnic
area, and hiking either the small 1-mile loop Carter Falls is accessed by a 0.5-mile (one
or the 4-mile loop which includes a cascading way) trail through old-growth forest. Visitors
waterfall along Purlear Creek. enjoy the falls from a lower area with views
1956 Rendezvous Mtn. Rd., Purlear, NC 28665 from the banks of Big Elkin Creek and an
(336) 667-5072 | ncesf.org upper area vantage point from a massive rock

wilkeschamber.com Recreation 13