Boone Greenway is a hidden gem in the town of Boone, and each step traveled takes to across different settings, with nature, history and culture all on display. The trail traverses the town, winding, curving and looping as it follows the course of the New River.
Begin at the trailhead on Casey Lane, and then proceed south on the trail. You will soon pass the Boone Wastewater Treatment Plant on your right. About 0.6 miles from the trailhead is the Historic Dam site, featuring what remains of the hydroelectric power station that helped light up the Appalachian Training School (now Appalachian State University) back in the early 20th Century. Interpretative signage tells the story of the dam, while picnic tables allow trail users to pause and take it all in. (If you are traveling south, just before the historic dam you will find a spur to the right, heading north but towards Watauga High School).
The greenway then continues from there through woodsy riparian banks and colorful meadows, a natural escape. Further south and branching off the core trail are the Kennedy Trails, narrower, more challenging hiking and mountain-biking trails that disappear into the surrounding woodland. The access to the Kennedy Trails is near the second of the three scenic bridges you will encounter in this upper half of the trail. Past the third and final bridge, the scenery begins to transition from natural to urban. The lower half of the Greenway starts around Clawson-Barnley Park, following Wrinkler Creek through downtown Boone, finally ending at a shopping center.
Boone Greenway serves a safe off-road transportation conduit with access to multiple destinations, but also works well as a recreational getaway for anyone looking for a change from the daily grind.
You can access the greenway at these points:
Just got back, mid May ride. Purple and white Phlox blooming along creek. Clean community rec center to use bathroom. Mostly level.
A nice day out. Such a nice trail to relax and bike or walk around the outskirts of Boone. A great asset to the community.
This is an excellent trail for easy walking or riding. Only negative are the irresponsible pet owners who don't pick up their dog waste.
Stuck in town with a broken car in the shop all day, we tried almost every variation and branch of this trail and then continued on Casey Road and New River Hills Road to connect to the South Fork New River Trail (you cannot currently see the SFNRT on google maps, but it's mapped out on here) to give us quite a few miles (about 11). Scenic brooks and rivers, bridges, budding trees, a section through pine trees and a small covered bridge made this trail very enjoyable! It was busy enough that I (immuno-suppressed) needed to put on a mask for part of it and had to slow the bike down a few times. With all the twists and turns and side routes, it is a good idea to have the trail map up on your phone if you are trying to maximize your miles.
Very nice trail for walking or biking.
Beautiful and easy trail. Lots of friendly people riding, jogging and walking with their dogs
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