Park Happenings

Event Details

The Friends of Rocky Fork State Park is pleased to announce another Guided Hike in the park open to everyone!

And for those working to complete this year's Hiking Challenge it is an excellent way to add more trails to your 'done' list! 

Saturday, September 12

Rocky Fork State Park Northeast Loop (Hiker Challenge hike #3) 

(8.5 miles, ~1500', moderately strenuous)

This hike covers the northeast loop of Rocky Fork State Park: Rocky Fork, White Oak Flats, Headwaters, Blockstand Creek (partial), Blockstand Creek Access, and Flint Creek (partial) trails. We'll go at a moderate pace to allow time to identify and photograph wildflowers, waterfalls and cascades, and views as desired by the group. A late morning lunch/snack break will be taken midway on the hike. Expect to complete approximately 2pm, 3 pm at the latest.

This hike will be joint with the Mid-App Hiking Club of Johnson City and is the third of a series of guided hikes allowing participants to complete the Rocky Fork Hiking Challenge.

We will meet at the main Rocky Fork parking lot ready to begin hiking at 8:30 am.

• Bring good hiking shoes, drinking water (1-2 liters suggested) and snacks/lunch.

This hike will help fulfill the requirements of the Friends of Rocky Fork Hiking Challenge. To register for the Hiker's Challenge, contact the Friends of Rocky Fork State Park (rockyforkfriends.org)

 Directions: From Johnson City/ Erwin take I-26 South and get off at exit 43, follow the brown signs to Lamar Alexander Rocky Fork State Park. Turn right on TN 352 for approximately 6 miles until you arrive at Rocky Fork Road on your right. Take Rocky Fork Road for 0.8 of a mile until you reach the gravel parking lot.

From Asheville/ Mars Hill NC take I-26 North and get off at Exit 50, the first Exit in Tennessee, take a left on Upper Higgins Road for 0.6 of a mile, turn right on Old Asheville Highway for 2.2 miles, turn Left on Rocky Fork Road for 0.8 of a mile until you arrive at the gravel parking lot.