Mary's Profile
Visiting Crabtree Meadows Campground
Towards the end of my parkway journey, I passed under the “Little Switzerland Tunnel” on the parkway, drove thirty more minutes, and started to see signs for Crabtree Meadows campground. At the entrance I noticed a store and decided to check it out. Inside there was a gift shop, restrooms, parkway maps, and even a place to eat. This little restaurant served hot dogs and sandwiches. It was a laid back atmosphere and housed quite a few hungry travelers.
About 20 feet from the gift shop and camp store, was an amphitheatre for the campground. Here, campers could go for solitude as it stretched out across a grassy field and was far from disturbances. The campsites were just beyond the amphitheatre and could be reached by a short trail leading from the gift shop. That way, if campers ever forgot an essential like their toothbrush, were craving some candy, or wanted ice to keep their food cold, the gift shop wasn’t far for them to journey.
Crabtree Meadows Campground was the quietest campground I have been to thus far. Tucked away beyond the parkway main road, it was very serene and peaceful. Whether you have an RV or a tent, you are handicapped or ready to hike; Crabtree Meadows has facilities for the whole family. Campsites were surrounded by large trees and spread out from neighboring sites.
This campground is near an ample amount of activities for folks of all ages. The ranger programs go on throughout the summer and different activities happen in the evening at the amphitheatre. Mt.Mitchell is only a couple miles from Crabtree Meadows and accessible by car for a daytime adventure. Also Crabtree Falls is only one mile from the campground entrance sign. Which means the trail is smack dab in the middle of the campsite for hikers to utilize during the daytime hours.
Visit Virtual Blue Ridge to view and print a free map of this campground.
In my opinion, Flat Top Manor is a hidden gem of the Parkway. With only a brown sign reading “Moses Cone Memorial Park”, I never imagined there could be a 3,600-acre estate on the other side of those trees. As I navigated my car down the narrow road leading to the Manor, I had a feeling it was going to delight my camera lens.
As I passed different entrances to Doughton Park, I realized how much there was to do. First were the restaurant, coffee house, and snack shop. Just down the road-a picnicking site, Bluffs Lodge, and campground.
Blue Ridge Parkway Destination CenterAfter a beautiful drive from Boone, I finally reached the Blue Ridge Parkway Destination Center. The first thing I notice is the plants growing on the roof, and find out later how it’s called a “green roof”.
This week I woke up early and set out to hike the Green Knob Trail before the afternoon warmth came. From Boone I started out on the parkway going south.
