Waterfall Hero Hikes: Hebron Colony Falls (Price Park)

Hebron Colony Falls is a waterfall over the Hebron Rock Colony along Boone Fork in Watauga County. The waterfall is located in Julian Price Memorial Park along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock. There is another waterfall on Boone Fork about another half mile downstream.

Hike Length: 4 miles out and back or 5 miles for Boone Fork Trail loop
Estimated Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: Julian Price Memorial Park (Highlands District of Blue Ridge Parkway)
Trail Users: Hiking only
Dogs: Allowed if on a ≤ 6 foot leash
Features: Waterfalls (2)
Crowds: Moderate
Warnings: The rocks around the waterfall are very slippery; use caution if scrambling.
Trailhead GPS: 36.13891,-81.72748
Waterfall GPS: 36.15462,-81.73450 (Hebron Colony Falls); 36.15417,-81.74052 (Boone Fork Waterfall)

Directions:

To visit the falls, head south from Boone on US-321 for about 6 miles and take the exit towards Flat Top Road. Turn left to get on the Blue Ridge Parkway southbound and drive 4.4 miles to the Price Park Picnic Area on the left at milepost 296.4.

Map:

Hike Description:

Boone Fork Trail starts just beyond the restrooms at the picnic area. After crossing a footbridge over Boone Fork, the trail splits to form a loop. Go right to follow Boone Fork downstream.

The trail and creek get rockier and steeper heading downstream. The Mountains-to-Sea Trail splits at a footbridge over the creek.

At 1.6 miles, an obvious path splits to the right and heads down steeply to Boone Fork below Hebron Colony Falls.

The creek tumbles down through a field of immense boulders, the Hebron Rock Colony. Scramble up the rocks to see the main upper drop.

The boulder field is scenic and it's fun scrambling around on the rocks, but use caution as they are slippery.

There's another waterfall a short ways downstream. Head back up and continue on Boone Fork Trail for a total of 1.8 miles from the trailhead and a 15-foot waterfall on Boone Fork is visible from the trail. Scramble down the steep but obvious path to the base.