| Elk Knob State Park | |
|---|---|
 A hiking trail at Elk Knob State Park | |
  Location of Elk Knob State Park in North Carolina Show map of North Carolina Elk Knob State Park (the United States) Show map of the United States | |
| Location | Watauga County, North Carolina, United States |
| Coordinates | 36°19′38″N81°40′37″W / 36.32722°N 81.67694°W /36.32722; -81.67694[1] |
| Area | 4,423 acres (17.90 km2)[2] |
| Elevation | 5,520 ft (1,680 m) |
| Established | 2003 |
| Named for | Elk Knob |
| Governing body | North Carolina Division of Parks and Recreation |
| Website | www |
Elk Knob State Park is a 4,423-acre (17.90 km2)[2]North Carolina state park inWatauga County, North Carolina, in theUnited States. Opened in 2003, it is one of North Carolina's newest state parks. Elk Knob State Park was established to preserve the natural state ofElk Knob, the third highest peak in Watauga County.[3] The park is open for year-round recreation and is currently undergoing an expansion of facilities to provide greater recreational opportunities to visitors. Elk Knob State Park is on Meat Camp Road, 5.5 miles (8.9 km) fromNorth Carolina Highway 194, 9.5 miles (15.3 km) north ofBoone, in theBlue Ridge Mountains.
Elk Knob State Park is named for Elk Knob, the third highest peak in Watauga County,[3] which was under threat of being developed forsummer homes during the late 1990s and early 2000s. A group of concerned citizens, led by theNature Conservancy and land owners, teamed together to purchase Elk Knob anddeed it to the State of North Carolina as anature preserve, and later astate park.[3][4] Elk Knob is anamphibolite peak and is home to theheadwaters of theNorth Fork New River, atributary of theNew River, one of the oldest rivers in the world.[3][4]
Elk Knob State Park is surrounded by several historic mountain communities. Meat Camp, Pottertown and Sutherland were once, according to Dr. Patricia Beaver ofAppalachian State University, "bustling, dynamic communities". Meat Camp was the location ofWinebarger Grist Mill, which operated from the 1850s until 2005.[5] Sutherland had a thriving cattle industry. Each community had at least onegeneral store,post office, school and church. Faculty and students from Appalachian State have begun a process of preserving the history of the communities by hosting periodic community days, at Elk Knob State Park, where residents of the shrinking communities gather to pass down their history and share photos of earlier days. These gatherings have also given the students and young people of the region a chance to learn aboutsustainable agriculture practices that were commonplace throughout the history of Elk Knob.[5]
Elk Knob State Park's location atop anamphibolite peak has made it a vitally important and ecologically unique area. Amphibolite is a darkmetamorphic rock which is rich in nutrients and supports the growth of rare plants.[6] Elk Knob and Rittle Knob, which are now part of Elk Knob State Park, are ecologically rich sites that host diverse and rare plant species such asGray's lily,rattlesnake root,flame azalea,purple fringed orchid andtrailing wolfsbane.[5][7]
Northernhardwood forests grow at Elk Knob State Park. This type of forest consists ofsugar maple,American beech,yellow buckeye andyellow birch trees. The trees that grow near the summits of Rittle and Elk Knobs have been stunted by the low temperatures, high elevation and high winds. Trees that are just a few feet high can be well over one hundred years old.[6][7]
The forests of Elk Knob State Park provide a habitat for a number of woodland species including a breeding colony ofravens, theAmerican black bear,bobcat,white-tailed deer, andwild turkeys.[7] Since the park is largely undeveloped, these species have lived in an environment that has been largely left undisturbed by humans. Any development at the park has left minimal ecologic damage.[8]
Elk Knob State Park is one of the newest state parks in North Carolina. Recreational opportunities are limited since the facilities at the park have not yet been fully built, and they will remain somewhat limited since one of the original goals of the park is to maintain it as a natural area.[8]
An old road that leads to the summit of Elk Knob served as the park's initial hiking trail, but it is steep and rocky, making it a difficult hike. A less steep and easier to ascend hiking trail was constructed with the help of volunteers,[9] and it was finished September 4, 2011. The old road is planned to be formally closed to hiking, so the process ofsecondary succession will be encouraged on the road bed. Upon reaching the summit hikers can viewMount Jefferson,Grandfather Mountain,Mount Mitchell,Snake Mountain, and various peaks inTennessee andVirginia.[9]
In the fall of 2012, the park opened up aback-country camping area forbackpackers. The facilitates consist of 3 individual sites, two group sites, and a "zone camping area", where up to three sites may be established by backpackers. No campfires are permitted, and campers must usebear canisters. The park has allowed limited front-country camping during the weekend of theNational Wildlife Federation'sGreat American Backyard Campout.
A small picnic area was provides several picnic tables and grills, along a forested, road loop. Also, a small office area was constructed near the park's entrance.
The following state parks are within 30 miles (48 km) of Elk Knob State Park:
