Mount Jefferson State Natural Area — Attraction in West Jefferson

7-3-21

Probably underrated in that it isn't highly trafficked. I've never seen more than 15 cars here total at one time, including a weekend. I think this is a great place for families as nothing is too strenuous here.

The road in winds and ascends. Typical of mountain type NC State Parks. As you enter, the park office is on the left. Bathrooms here and some parking. The Mountain Ridge Trail begins here (2 miles one way, strenuous) and ascends to the main parking area. Never done this trail.

If you continue driving on the main road, you will pass three overlooks. All off the main road, all with ample parking, and no walking necessary. These in order are Sunset (maybe 15 cars can park), Sunrise (very large half-circle lot with a few picnic tables and trash cans), and finally Jefferson (10+ car lot, very large rock ledge to walk on). Jefferson is my favorite.

At the end of the road is the main parking area/picnic area. Maybe 20 cars can park here. Never full. The picnic area has a large shelter and picnic tables out the wazoo. All shaded and plenty of trash cans.. Portapotties here but bathrooms are further up, maybe .10 miles on the Summit Trail. Maps are available at the picnic area.

The trails at the picnic area are the ones I do. I walk these in order to see everything: Summit (.3 miles strenuous, green), to Rhododendron Trail (1.1 miles, white, moderate), to the Lost Province Trail (.75, moderate, blue), to TRACK Trail (1.1 miles, red, moderate). Doing these is a big loop.

^I tend to believe that these are easier than what is listed on maps.

Summit Trail is wide and a steady climb. Rhododendron has Mount Jefferson and the weather sensor towers with small overlook. At the end of Rhododendron Trail is Luther Rock. Several ledges looking in every direction and this is a great place for views. To complete the loop, next is Lost Province. Narrow and flat and I tend to see deer here. Lastly is Track Trail returning you to the Summit Trail/picnic area lot.

The ability to park at overlooks, a nice shelter and picnic area, and relatively easy trails make this a good park...

Mount Jefferson towers over the towns of Jefferson and West Jefferson. The state natural area protects the mountain and the road leading to near the summit. On my last visit, several years ago, all the trails were up near the summit. Since then, they built a trail from the park office at the base of the mountain that follows the road up to the summit. So I had to hike up this time. The trail hits the overlooks, either directly or following a spur trail, so you still get to see all the overlooks along the road. It was really foggy on my last visit, so nothing really to see, but on a clear day, the views are fantastic. The road ends at the picnic area and a short trail leads the rest of the way to the summit. There's a radio tower and weather station here, but you don't get much in the way of views. (There is really good cell signal up here though!) Continuing on Rhododendron Trail leads to Luther Rock, a subpeak of the mountain that has great views. It's smaller than a state park, but this natural area has some great trails and overlooks and is definitely...

Great getaway and what a jewel of a find! We’ve lived in a surrounding county for 20 years and just recently visited Mt Jefferson State Park. Now we are hooked. Not overly crowded like some of the other state parks nearby that are flooded with tourists and it’s our new “go-to”’place for walks. Such amazing, long range views. Trails are kept up very nicely. Great signage for trails/level of difficulty, and and signs for local nature/ wild life information. Nice bathrooms. Water fountains provided (not in use currently due to COVID restrictions). The picnic shelter is a treat in itself! A nice wood burning fireplace inside and lots of well- spaced picnic tables/grills spread around outside. And be sure to visit the small towns of West Jefferson and Jefferson when you’re done! Oh, and an extra perk: there’s actually LTE cell service up here at 4800 ‘ elevation! Thank you North...