Uncover the Mysterious Underground World Hiding in North Carolina’s County Park

Tennessee might take the gold for being the state with the most caves (over 10,000 known caves!), but you can easily find a cave in North Carolina to explore. Linville Caverns is easily one of the most popular show caves in the state, and it’s certainly a beauty. Another popular North Carolina cave is Boone’s Cave. While it might not be one of the most extensive underground attractions in North Carolina, like the Linville Caverns, it’s absolutely worth your while to visit Boone’s Cave.

For folks in the Lexington area, Boone’s Cave Park is an ideal option for anyone who wants to escape the city and spend some time in a natural setting. The 110-acre park, located just 15 miles from downtown Lexington, offers an easy option for a scenic hike and a bit of cave exploration. 

Nestled along the Yadkin River, this area's fertile land is home to several hardwoods, including oaks, hornbeams, and elms. More than 50 different wildflowers, including laurel and hydrangeas, that are only found in the Appalachian Mountains, thrive in this region, and 46 acres of the park are designated as a Natural Heritage Site. 

The fertile lands of the Yadkin Valley are what attracted Squire Boone to the area in 1750. As the local legend goes, Squire Boone moved his family here in 1750, which included his son Daniel Boone, then 16 years old. They spent the first year in North Carolina at or around what is present-day Boone’s Cave Park.

Today, the park offers 7.5 miles of trails that boast beautiful waterfront views and a chance to hike through history. It’s one of those places where you want to return to every season. The fall offers some incredible fall foliage, while winter brings quiet snowfall hikes. Spring and summer bring an abundance of butterflies, birds, and blooms. 

The unique rock formations in the park give way to a handful of caves of varying depths. A few different trails lead to Boone’s Cave, and you can explore inside. It’s important to note that natural caves also tend to be home to some critters you might not want to be surprised by (spiders, bats, etc.), so watch your step!

The cave’s proximity to the river does make it an ideal place to use as a shelter, but there has been no historic evidence that Daniel Boone or his family used this exact cave. The entire park is preserved in such a way that you get a great glimpse into what early settlers would have seen, though! On one of the trails, you’ll come across an old stone foundation and chimney that is left over from an old log cabin that the Civilian Conservation Corps built in the 1940s. 

In addition to the hiking trails, the park also offers primitive campsites for overnight stays, a shelter that can be rented for events, canoe/kayak access, and an 18-hole disc golf course. Visit the Boone’s Cave Park website to learn more, and try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner. After you visit Boone's Cave, swing by Nick's Old Fashioned Hamburger House for one of the best burgers in North Carolina.