We love to hike but really didn't see and great hiking near us, but choose this park based upon reviews. We had no idea there were such great hiking trails! There is a map by the restrooms and I'll add a picture of it. We studied the map and hoped we could hike most of them for at least 5 miles. So first went to see the cave which was hard to find once we got to the river and at Baptism Rock. Looking at the river, climb to your right....and you just have to hunt for it. There were stairs, but the were damaged. Somehow we found it. And we saw how great all the trails were marked. The best challenge was Boone's Peak Trail- which should be plural. There were 3 peaks! We went on nearly every trail but my app didn't work correctly, so we could only guess we did at least 4 miles. The peaks were very challenging and should be attempted by experienced hikers. We hiked in late November and the less traveled trails, esp Peak Trail were covered in leaves-which added to the challenge.
My wife and I were in town(Lexington) visiting family and wanted to experience some nature. Nice park, trails are maintained and clear. Worth the 20 minute drive from town. Apparently bicycles are welcome on the trails also. Wish I had known, I would have brought the mountain bike.
Has changed for the better Picnic area and a better way to get to the Cave. many trail to view as you walk to and from Boone's cave. to the Parking area.
The bathrooms are clean. The park is well maintained. The views are beautiful. The picnic area is very nice. The paths are well marked. Don't forget your bug spray.
This time of year be sure to bring bug repellent. We were eaten alive but we were determined to see the cave. The park is over 100 acres of hiking (some along the Yadkin River). They brag about the views of the river from the covered picnic area but that must only be in the winter. In the summer you can't see through the trees. Some of the trails appeared to be easy hiking but the trail to the cave is either up/down hundreds of steps or on a rough trail (trail starts out flat and as you turn towards the river it gets rougher). One real complaint is from the parking lot you see 2 signs pointing in 2 different directions that say CAVE ---> . It would have helped if the signs had noted how many feet, yards or miles it was to the cave (none of the signs we saw had any distance marked on them). It was a very hot day and the shortest hike would have been great. As it turns out if you take the hundreds of steps they will take you right to the cave. We did not know that so we took the trail but we did see some interesting things doing so. Daniel Boone's family settled on the Yadkin River when he was in his teens and they think the cave could have been one of his hideouts.
Boone's cave is an excellent outing for the family. Walk the trails and enjoy the park. Bring the hamburgers and hotdogs to grill at the park after an afternoon of exploring. Try it for a peaceful afternoon... you'll be glad you did.
My boys and I enjoyed the trails. There is a hiking level for every class of hiker. We spent about 2 hours in the park. Opens at 1pm on Sunday.
Parked in the parking lot and took the stairs that were to the right. OMG! That's a lot of stairs! Very nice workmanship but if you have bad knees there is another trail to your left that is a little easier. Either way you end up at Boone's Cave.( There are two really) The caves are not very deep. The caves face the river and if you walk just past the caves for a short distance you and see the river. Nice place to take a few pictures. If your are on the river in a canoe there is a sign if you want to stop and look at the cave also. There are restrooms near the parking lot.
This is a great rest stop if your passing through the are. The picnic tables are nice to. Oh by the way , back before the county took over and all the "improvements "? were made. I use to hike in "like Daniel did" and spend the night in the cave and experience it like he did. I guess the county commissioners found a way to hand out a few jobs ,and make some money. They forgot the real reason why real people , really interested in Daniel came and it wasn't for clean bathrooms, manicured trails and a gift shop with plastic dolls of Daniel. They came and hike to the cave, despite a hardship to do so, that was part of the experience, with out crowds and noise and rules rules rules. Out by 5pm , so how are yub supposed to see what it felt like to see the sunset from the inside of the cave or wake up in it or spend the night . All that is gone , im soooo glad I went in the 70s and 8os. For the rest of you, just go to Disney land and see the replica. It just as good and you get to share it with the crowds and a deadline.
The day we were there it was beautiful and quiet, the trails are clean and well maintained. They have markers along the trail highlighting the local plant life. They still need to repair their main stairway down to the cave but the walk down the trail is well worth it. There is a very nice place to enjoy a picnic. It has been a very rainy summer here so bring your mosquito spray and a flashlight to see inside the cave. It feels like a step back in time and a great way to get a close up look at the Yadkin river.