If you or someone you know loves to kayak, then a visit to Price Lake in North Carolina definitely belongs on the bucket list. And if you’ve ever traveled along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock or Boone then chances are you’ve driven right over the small dam that impounds Price Like.
(Editor’s note added 9/1/21: It’s worth mentioning here that ahead of Tropical Storm Fred during the last week of August, the valve on the dam to release water from Price Lake so the storm would not cause it to flood was opened and malfunctioned resulting in the lake draining almost completely dry. Officials are working on making repairs. Once repaired, it may take as long as two weeks for the lake to fill back up. If you’re interested in kayaking, you can follow the progress of the lake’s short recovery here.)
Price Lake was created in the late 1940s after insurance magnet Julian Price passed away and his estate and business donated this land to the National Park Service and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Terms of the donation stipulated that Boone Fork would be dammed here (creating the Julian Price Dam) and a lake would be created in Price's name. The resulting body of water leaves visitors with a striking view of Grandfather Mountain's Galloway Peak across the lake.
Additionally, there's a Parkway overlook just to one side of the bridge that crosses the dam.
and just small enough to prevent vessels with any size motor from gaining access so there's no jostling of the boat from the wake of motor boats as there is with larger lakes.
Boat rentals are available from the middle of May through the end of October, although beginning in October, rentals are only available on the weekends. Visitors can rent a canoe, paddle board, single kayak, or double kayak. Learn more about rentals at this link.
Another wonderful perk at Price Lake is the Price Lake Campground.
Although the boat rentals are seasonal, if you have your own vessel, you'll be able to access the small launch ramp located near the boat rental facility year round if you bring your own kayak or canoe.
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As mentioned earlier, repairs to the valve that drains Price Lake are underway and the lake is mostly drained at this very moment (as seen in this recent photo).
For as long as the lake is drained and closed to fishing and boating, there will be a notice on the campground’s website. So you can check here for status updates.
Have you ever paddled on Price Lake along the Blue Ridge Parkway? We’d love to see your photos posted to our North Carolina Nature Lovers group on Facebook! If you’re not yet a member of that group, it’s as easy as sending a request!
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