Price Lake
A serene mountain lake on the Blue Ridge Parkway, offering stunning reflections, easy trails, and boating opportunities.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Peaceful nature, fewer crowds
Price Lake
Best Time
Peaceful nature, fewer crowds
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A serene mountain lake on the Blue Ridge Parkway, offering stunning reflections, easy trails, and boating opportunities.
"Absolutely beautiful and peaceful, with stunning scenery perfect for photos and outdoor activities."
🚗 Parking Tips
Parking lots fill up fast, especially on weekends. Arrive early or try the nearby picnic area/campground parking.
👟 Trail Comfort
Wear comfortable shoes for the easy 2.3-mile loop trail. It's family-friendly and great for photos!
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Price Lake Loop Trail
Around the lake
An easy 2.3-mile trail offering stunning mountain reflections and vibrant fall colors. Perfect for all ages.
Sunrise Views
Various overlooks
Witness breathtaking sunrises over the mountains, with Price Lake providing a serene foreground for photographers.
Boat Rentals
Near the amphitheater
Rent a canoe or kayak to paddle on the lake and enjoy unique perspectives of Grandfather Mountain.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing Your Visit to Price Lake
Embrace the Outdoors at Price Lake
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Parking Tips
Parking lots fill up fast, especially on weekends. Arrive early or try the nearby picnic area/campground parking.
👟 Trail Comfort
Wear comfortable shoes for the easy 2.3-mile loop trail. It's family-friendly and great for photos!
🛶 Paddle Power
Rent a canoe or kayak for a unique lake experience with mountain views. Check rental prices and availability.
📸 Photo Ops Galore
The lake offers stunning reflections, especially during sunrise and fall. Capture the beauty!
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Parking Tips
Parking lots fill up fast, especially on weekends. Arrive early or try the nearby picnic area/campground parking.
👟 Trail Comfort
Wear comfortable shoes for the easy 2.3-mile loop trail. It's family-friendly and great for photos!
🛶 Paddle Power
Rent a canoe or kayak for a unique lake experience with mountain views. Check rental prices and availability.
📸 Photo Ops Galore
The lake offers stunning reflections, especially during sunrise and fall. Capture the beauty!
🍂 Fall Foliage Peak
Visit during peak fall colors for a truly magical experience, but expect more visitors.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Price Lake for its breathtaking natural beauty, with stunning mountain reflections on the water and vibrant fall colors. It's a peaceful spot for hiking, fishing, and boating, offering a serene escape along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Some visitors note that parking can be challenging during peak times.
"Price Lake is absolutely beautiful and peaceful. The scenery is stunning with the mountains reflecting on the water, making it a perfect spot for photos. Great place for kayaking, fishing, or just walking around to enjoy nature. A must-visit stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway!"
Tuung Thunm
"Julian Price lake is a beautiful lake with trails and wilderness off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Family friendly area. Camping area is still closed post Helene, but looking forward to it being opened soon. I'm so glad I stumbled upon it on my last trip to the mountains. Treat yourself and don't miss it."
Rob Bowers
"Definitely recommend coming here! Beautiful lake surrounded by mountain laurel. Plenty of camp sites, hiking trails and picnic spots"
James Lipsette
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Price Lake is conveniently located directly off the Blue Ridge Parkway in Watauga County, NC. It's a popular stop, so look for the signs.
Yes, Price Lake is easily accessible by car via the Blue Ridge Parkway. There are designated parking areas near the lake and picnic spots.
Blowing Rock, NC, is a charming town very close to Price Lake, offering dining and lodging options. +1
The Blue Ridge Parkway can close due to winter weather. Always check road conditions before your visit if traveling in colder months.
While the Blue Ridge Parkway itself is free to drive, there might be fees associated with specific activities like boat rentals or camping if available.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, general admission to Price Lake and its surrounding trails is free. You only pay for specific services like boat rentals.
Price Lake is generally accessible year-round during daylight hours. Specific facilities like boat rentals may have seasonal hours.
Parking at Price Lake is typically free, but the lots can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons.
It's advisable to check with the boat rental provider directly for advance booking options, as they can get busy.
The campground at Price Lake has experienced closures due to weather events. It's best to check the latest status for opening dates.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
You can enjoy hiking the loop trail, fishing, kayaking, picnicking, and photography. It's a great spot for nature immersion.
The easy 2.3-mile loop trail around Price Lake can be completed in about an hour, allowing time for stops and photos.
Yes, the Price Lake loop trail is generally considered easy and suitable for strollers and young children.
Yes, there are picnic areas available near Price Lake, offering scenic spots to enjoy a meal outdoors.
You might spot various birds, small mammals, and aquatic life. The surrounding forests are rich in biodiversity.
🎫 🎣 Fishing & Boating
Yes, Price Lake is a popular spot for fishing. Make sure you have the necessary North Carolina fishing licenses.
You can rent canoes and kayaks at Price Lake for a fun day on the water.
Canoes typically cost around $30 for the first hour and $10 for each additional hour. Prices may vary.
Regulations for bringing personal boats may apply. It's best to check with the park service or rental facility for specific rules.
Absolutely! Kayaking on Price Lake offers beautiful views and a peaceful way to experience the area.
📸 📸 Photography
The entire loop trail offers stunning views. Look for spots with clear reflections of the mountains on the water, especially during sunrise and fall.
Early mornings for sunrise and the 'golden hour' before sunset provide beautiful lighting. Fall colors are also a photographer's dream.
A wide-angle lens is great for landscapes, and a telephoto lens can capture distant mountain details. A tripod is helpful for low-light conditions.
Generally, personal photography is allowed. Be mindful of other visitors and avoid disturbing wildlife.
The combination of the serene lake, surrounding mountains (including Grandfather Mountain views), and seasonal foliage creates picturesque scenes. 
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Young Children
Consider renting a canoe or kayak for a fun family adventure on the water, though ensure children are supervised closely. The open spaces around the lake are great for letting kids burn off energy. While the campground may have had closures, keep an eye on its status for potential overnight stays, which could be a fantastic family camping experience.
📸 Photography Enthusiasts
+1 The vibrant fall foliage in autumn offers a spectacular palette of colors, making it a prime location for landscape photography. Bring your wide-angle lens for sweeping vistas and a tripod for low-light conditions. The easy loop trail provides numerous vantage points to capture the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Don't miss the opportunity to capture the serene atmosphere and the interplay of light and water.
🎣 Anglers and Paddlers
Spending a few hours paddling or casting a line on Price Lake provides a peaceful and engaging way to connect with nature. The rental facility offers a convenient way to get out on the water without needing to bring your own equipment.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Exploring the Price Lake Loop Trail
Many visitors rave about the ease and beauty of this trail. It's common to see families with young children and strollers enjoying the path, as well as photographers trying to capture the perfect shot. The trail provides numerous points to stop, rest, and simply soak in the natural beauty. Remember to wear comfortable shoes, as you'll want to complete the full loop to experience all its scenic offerings.
Beyond the main loop, there are opportunities for more adventurous exploration in the surrounding wilderness areas accessible from the Blue Ridge Parkway. However, for a quintessential Price Lake experience, the loop trail is the star attraction, offering a perfect blend of accessibility and natural splendor.
Boating and Water Activities at Price Lake
Rental options typically include canoes and kayaks, with pricing structured hourly. For instance, canoes might cost around $30 for the first hour and $10 for each subsequent hour. It's wise to check the current rental rates and availability, especially during peak season, as these rentals are quite popular. Paddling on the calm waters of Price Lake is a serene experience, perfect for a relaxing afternoon.
While bringing your own non-motorized watercraft might be permitted, it's always best to confirm the specific regulations with the park authorities or rental concessionaire. Whether you're renting or bringing your own, spending time on the water adds another dimension to your visit to Price Lake, making it a truly memorable outdoor adventure.
Capturing the Magic: Photography at Price Lake
During the fall, Price Lake transforms into a vibrant canvas of reds, oranges, and yellows, making it a prime destination for autumn photography. The fall foliage here is spectacular, and capturing it against the backdrop of the mountains and the lake is a truly rewarding experience. Early mornings are ideal for capturing the mist rising off the water and the first golden rays of sunlight.
For landscape photographers, a wide-angle lens is excellent for capturing the expansive mountain vistas, while a telephoto lens can be useful for isolating details or compressing the scene. A tripod is highly recommended for low-light conditions, especially during sunrise or for capturing long exposures of the water. Remember to be patient and wait for the perfect light and reflections to create truly magical images.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit