Boone's Cave Park

Boone's Cave Park is a 100-acre Davidson County Park near Lexington along the Yadkin River.  Formerly a state park, it was transferred to Davidson County in 2002.  The park is named for three caves along Yadkin River where Daniel Boone and his family lived in this area when they first moved to North Carolina.  In 1750, Squire Boone moved his family from Pennsylvania to North Carolina and may have spent their first year in the area.  Today, there are more than 7 miles of hiking trails, camping and disc golf.

Contact Information:

3552 Boone's Cave Road

Lexington, NC 27292

Phone: (336) 752-2322

Directions:

GPS: 35.79935,-80.46764

From Lexington, head south on I-85 to exit 84.  Turn right on NC-150 East and go 4.8 miles.  Turn left on Boone's Cave Road and follow for 3.5 miles into the park.

Map:

Trails:

Backcountry Trail:

Length: 0.6 miles

Backcountry Trail runs along the northeast border of the park from the bottom of the steps to the cave to Wildflower Trail at the disc golf course.

Boone's Peak Trail:

Length: 0.4 miles

Boone's Peak Trail, although short, is the most strenuous trail in the park with steep sections and creek crossings.

Cottonwood Trail:

Length: 0.66 miles

Cottonwood Trail leads from the cave southwest to an eastern cottonwood tree along the river that is more than 100 years old.

Creekside Trail:

Length: 0.12 miles

Creekside Trail follows a small stream bed from Wetlands Trail and crossing Boone's Peak Trail.

Dragonfly Boardwalk:

Length: 0.12 miles

Dragonfly Boardwalk leads through a swampy area, connecting Wetlands Trail, Boone's Peak Trail and Wilderness Walk.

Overlook Trail:

Length: 0.46 miles

Overlook Trail splits from Wildflower Trail and leads to a high point overlooking the river.  There is only a view in winter.

Red Oak Trail:

Length: 0.23 miles

Red Oak Trail splits from Wilderness Walk and leads to a southern red oak that is more than 200 years old.

Wilderness Walk:

Length: 0.27 miles

Wilderness Walk makes a short loop connecting Cottonwood, Red Oak and Boone's Peak Trails.

Points of Interest:

Boone's Cave:

There are three small caves along the Yadkin River.  Stairs from the parking area lead down to the river by the caves.

CCC Cabin:

The foundation and chimney is all the remains of a log cabin built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1940s.

Wildlife:

A large eastern cottonwood (Populus deltoides) is located at the end of Cottonwood Trail along the Yadkin River.  The tree is more than 100 years old and the circumference is more than 16 feet.

Another large tree in the park is a southern red oak (Quercus falcata) at the end of a spur off Red Oak Trail.  This oak is more than 200 years old and has a circumference of more than 13 feet.

Blog Entries:

26-Feb-2021: Boone's Cave

External Links:

Davidson County Parks website: https://www.co.davidson.nc.us/Facilities/Facility/Details/Boones-Cave-Park-10