Rocky Knob is an 185 acre park in Boone, NC. The park was created in 2009 when two $5,000 grants were secured from the Bikes Belong Foundation and Specialized Bicycles. These grants were made possible through the WCTDA’s partnership with Boone Area Cyclists, a local nonprofit organization working to promote and develop cycling opportunities throughout the Boone area. Watauga County, in partnership with the Watauga County Tourism Development Authority (WCTDA), received a $500,000 grant from the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) to assist with the acquisition and development for Rocky Knob Park. Three professional trail building companies worked with BAC volunteers to create about 8 miles of mountain bike trails for all skill levels (and accessible to hikers and trail runners), 4 skills areas, and a pump track. The park also includes a picnic shelter, bathrooms, and an adventure playground and is located just east of the city limit on US 421.
Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park 
Where does the trail start, has it been marked yet?
The trail begins on the east side of the new parking area, but it is not open yet. We are hoping to have the first 1.5 miles done in the next couple of weeks.
The trail is not marked yet and is still officially not open to bikes.
Will there be any just strictly downhill trails??
We have plans for highly technical, downhill-only trails and possibly an A-Line style flow trail but you will have to pedal to get to them.
please,please,please,tell me that the a-line style and even more the dh trails will be going in..it scares me to get my hopes up,so often in the southeast these parks turn into xc tracks with very little tec features..i would love to see trails built like they do in washington and oregon ..also curt gowdy state park in wyoming is a great example..i wish i did not live so many hours away,i would be up there giving all the time i could…
Hey James — we are going to build a park that will have flow/tech features and dedicated DH trails. It’s a done deal. The interest is there as is the support and expertise. It’s not going to happen overnight, but we are working towards a great park. Thanks for your enthusiasm.
Hey how did the trails fair in the forest fire?
Is the trail currently open? What about running the trails? Are runners welcome, and is it a trail system that is runner friendly?
Sorry, the trails are not officially open yet. Yes, runners will be welcome as will hikers. We are expecting to open the trails by April. We will start volunteer work again on March 3.
WOW! i guess its just that hard for me, being in it for the recreation & workout part of mnt biking, along with being from miami, fl (flatland, manmade ups&downs). WHAT A KILLER! but i do go back for more, a lap on bike, one on foot. twice so far and a day left.
i will be back! cabin just 30min away
WOW! (again)
Will there be any trails open in the next couple months. If not when is the next volunteer day?
The next trail to open will be ready shortly. It is another 1.5 miles of slightly more challenging trail. We will announce its opening soon.
We work on Thursdays at 5:30. We will host another Saturday work day next month.
How do these trails compare to the Dark Mountain and Warrior Creek trails out in Wilkesboro?
Headed to visit my Aunt there in 2 weeks and thought i’d come check out your stuff! Full 8miles open now? Sounds fabulous. Thanks so much for doing this. Boone is a really special place.
Good question. All three trails are purpose-built mountain bike trails but that’s about where the similarities end. Rocky Knob is very rocky making for an overall more difficult trail system than all the trails in Wilkes and more like trails in Pisgah. We are anticipating open the next 2.5 miles within a couple of weeks and the skills trails open soon. These skills trails are unlike anything that currently exists in NC and definitely worth the drive. Check in closer to your visit and I’ll give you a full update. Email me directly at jackson.kristian@gmail.com.
i just moved to Johnson city this month from the denver area i’m excited to hit you guys up some time in the near future. i was also wondering if anyone knows if there is a race series anywhere near by for DH and 4 cross?
Check out both Beech and Sugar for DH/DS. Beech has two more races this year.
I am in the Lowcountry of SC,and a XC rider, should I plan on a lot of hike a bike or just stay home?
If you like to mountain bike and enjoy a bit of a challenge, you will like Rocky Knob. The climbs are rocky (as are the downs) but most people find the reward worth the effort.
Just curious to what happened to the pump track?
We added more dirt to raise the entire pumptrack area. It will be rebuilt in the spring.
Thanks for letting us know.
I am planning my first trip to Boone, NC for my wife and I. I am an avid trail builder with the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association and I love trail building. The week of June 23, 2013 is my target vacation time. I want to learn about trail opportunities in Boone, so that I might hike, ride and help build trail while I am in Boone, NC.
Hi Kirk — contact us here when time gets closer for your trip. The Boone area is full of riding and we will more than likely have so trail work opportunities in the summer too.
The Central Ohio Mountain Biking Organization (COMBO) travels to a destination trail every Spring and Fall. This year we chose the Boone area as our base camp and stayed at the Summit at Lost Ridge. Fifteen of us with a variety of skill levels rode Rocky Knob on the last day. The trail was very well designed and all the features were very “doable” by the riders or able to be ridden around. Our only wish was that we spent more time there earlier in our trip. The consensus from the group is we will be back to the area for future trips.
What does it cost to ride at the park?
IT’S FREE!!!
Is it open now even with all the rain?
The trails dry very well during the summer months. Come on out and enjoy.
I know we have had a lot of rain in the past weeks and was wondering if the trails stay muddy for a while or if they dry quickly? I would really like to come riding with friends soon!
We will be planning a trip next month with our 7 year old who is just beginning to ride. Are the trails marked and are they good for children and beginners?
The trails are a little tough for youngsters. That being said, the pump track should open soon and will be a fantastic choice for kids.
when will the trails close for the season. I was planning a trip there the last weekend in October.
We’ll only close the trail once the freeze/thaw cycle starts. It’s hard to say when, but a good guess based on past years is not until December.
Pingback: Douthat State Park | out of the Apple
Will the trails be open this Friday or have they closed for the season?
They will most likely be open. We will post on the blog if they are closed.
Are dogs allowed on the trails?