Parking
Park at Price Lake Overlook (Milepost 296.7) or Boone Fork Overlook (Milepost 297.1); additional access is available near the boat rental and campground. Restrooms are available when the campground is open NPS.

Blue Ridge Parkway, NC · VA
Easy 2.7-mile lakeside loop around Price Lake
Overview
Price Lake Trail is an easy loop around the shoreline of 47-acre Price Lake in Julian Price Memorial Park. The full visitor loop is 2.7 miles and typically takes about 1 hour, with modest elevation change. Access is available from Price Lake Overlook (Milepost 296.7) and Boone Fork Overlook (Milepost 297.1) NPS.\n\n## What you will see\nExpect lakeshore views, low evergreens, rhododendron, wetlands, and occasional beaver sign; ducks and loons use the lake seasonally. The route includes natural tread, roots, rocks, boardwalks, footbridges, and paved campground or roadside segments. The first roughly 1 mile from the overlook and boat-rental area is relatively level and includes the Price Lake TRACK Trail and accessible lakeside sections NPS Explore Boone.\n\n## Access and route notes\nPark at Price Lake Overlook (Milepost 296.7) or Boone Fork Overlook (Milepost 297.1); additional access is available near the boat rental and campground. Restrooms are available when the campground is open. Follow the marked loop through the campground and across the designated trail and road crossings. Seasonal canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rentals operate at the lake, and fishing is permitted with a valid license; motorized boats and swimming are not allowed. Leashed pets are allowed on Blue Ridge Parkway trails NPS NPS trail page.\n\n## Trail character\nThis popular, family-friendly loop is generally gentle but can be wet or slick around roots, rocks, boardwalks, and bridges. The lake and surrounding forest provide scenic viewpoints, wildlife habitat, and a quiet winter walking or cross-country-ski setting when conditions permit.\n\n## Is it worth it?\nYes—this is an easy, scenic loop with convenient Parkway access, shoreline views, and a useful accessible section near the boat-rental area. It is a strong short stop in Julian Price Memorial Park, especially when paired with paddling or fishing.
Map & elevation
Plan your hike

The highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.
Blue Ridge Parkway Tour Guide
Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Blue Ridge Parkway. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.
See the Blue Ridge Parkway audio tourRecorded for this trailhead
Price Lake and its Famous Mountain View“The large body of water coming into view is Price Lake, famous for its head-on view of Grandfather Mountain. On calm days, the lake acts like a giant mirror, creating a perfect reflection of the mountain and sky.”
Plays as you drive up to this trailhead in the Parkwolf Blue Ridge Parkway Tour Guide.
More stories near here in the app
Wildlife
1,208 sightingsBlack BearMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
1,020 sightingsElkMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
2,257 sightingsWhite-tailed DeerMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
200 sightingsCoyoteMost seen around 6 PMSighting map
1,126 sightingsWild TurkeyMost seen around 7 AMSighting map
255 sightingsRed-tailed HawkMost seen around 11 AMSighting mapSighting maps show where each species has been reported across Blue Ridge Parkway. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.
Keep exploring
ModerateBoone Fork Trail5.5 mi · 3 hr · 0.3 mi awayA varied loop to Hebron Falls with creeks, ladders, and meadows
EasyPrice Lake Loop Trail2.7 mi · 1 hr · 0.3 mi awayEasy 2.7-mile lakeside loop with mountain views, wildlife, and family-friendly stops
EasyOld Johns River Road3.2 mi · 1.5 hr · 0.6 mi awayA quiet 3.2-mile out-and-back on a gated road through Julian Price Memorial Park.
ModerateSims Pond Loop Trail2.3 mi · 1.5 hr · 0.7 mi awayModerately strenuous loop from Sims Pond over Green Knob with creeks, pasture, and Parkway views
ModerateGreen Knob Trail2.3 mi · 1.5 hr · 1.3 mi awayLush loop of creek, meadows, and rhododendron with playful rock hops
ModerateRich Mountain Carriage Trail8.2 mi · 3.5 hr · 1.9 mi awayLong, gentle carriage-road climb from Trout Lake to Rich Mountain views
EasyTrout Lake Loop Trail1.3 mi · 30 min · 1.9 mi awayEasy lakeside loop through hemlocks with frequent wildlife sightingsEasyCold Prong Pond Loop0.4 mi · 15 min · 2.2 mi awayShort, easy loop from Cold Prong Pond Overlook through rhododendron, forest, and a former pond meadow.
Scenic pullout · At the trailheadPrice Lake OverlookMirrorlike lake views and an easy loop right from the pullout
Campground · 0.2 mi awayJulian Price Memorial Park CampgroundThe Parkway’s big lakeside basecamp for hiking and paddling
Sight · 0.3 mi awayPrice LakeSerene mountain lake with an easy loop and classic Grandfather views
Picnic area · 0.3 mi awayJulian Price Park Picnic AreaShady creekside picnic grounds with trails and lake nearby
Sight · 0.4 mi awayPrice Lake Boat RentalsEasy paddle rentals on a tranquil lake with big mountain views
Sight · 0.6 mi awayJulian Price Memorial ParkLake, trails, and big picnic grounds right off the Parkway
Sight · 1.6 mi awayHebron Colony FallsBoulder-choked cascades and summer swimming holes on Boone Fork
Sight · 1.9 mi awayTrout LakeShady 1.3-mile loop around a quiet, wildlife-rich mountain lakeParkwolf’s Blue Ridge Parkway ranking