Valle Crucis Community Park
Bordering the Watauga River behind Mast General Store, Valle Crucis Community Park is an immensely popular community resource. To protect open space, as well as the Watauga River’s water quality, BRC accepted a donated conservation easement on the park’s riparian corridor.
The property has been historically used for agriculture. The Valle Crucis Community Park was established to provide a recreational area for local residents. The Community Park contains a playground area, open fields, and a paved trail system. The conservation easement area in particular is for recreational use only, and contains a paved trail and park benches for visitors. The edge of the river bank has been restored, reducing erosion and enhancing vegetative buffers.
Please note that during the peak season (Summer-Fall) the Park is requesting a $5 donation per car for parking Fridays through Sundays. Donations will be used for park improvement and enhancement projects like repairing the walking path.
In 2015, Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) received a donation of 21.7 acres of farmland located within the Valle Crucis Historic District along NC Scenic Byway 194. Thanks to the generosity of John and Faye Cooper, longtime residents, conservationists and owners of Mast General Store, this scenic property will forever remain as agricultural and recreational land along Dutch Creek and the Watauga River.
A new, unpaved trail extends from the Valle Crucis Park loop through the field offering additional opportunities for fishing, exercising, bird watching, and more.
+ Directions from Boone
Take Highway 105 South toward Banner Elk. About 3 miles out of town (5 miles from the intersection of 321 and 105), turn right onto Broadstone Road. There is a traffic light at the intersection, as well as the Ham Shoppe deli and signs for Valle Crucis. Go 2.8 miles on Broadstone Road, and our driveway is on the right just before the Mast Store Annex’s parking lot.
+ Directions From Banner Elk
Take Highway 105 toward Boone. About 8 miles from the Tynecastle Shopping Center turn left onto Broadstone Road. There is a traffic light at the intersection, as well as the Ham Shoppe deli and signs for Valle Crucis. Go 2.8 miles on Broadstone Road, and our driveway is on the right just before the Mast Store Annex’s parking lot
+ Directions From Mountain City
Take Highway 421 toward Boone. About 3.5 miles after the 421/321 intersection at Skate World, turn right onto Highway 194 (signs for Valle Crucis). Go 3.7 miles, and our driveway is on the left just after the Mast Store Annex’s parking lot.