Sims Pond – Near Blowing Rock, North Carolina
- May 3, 2023
Things to Know:
- No admission fee.
- Scenic pond and trail accessible via the Blue Ridge Parkway at milepost 295.9, 2.3 miles from Blowing Rock, North Carolina.
- Fishing permitted.
- Vehicle parking available.
- Trailhead location for Green Knob Trail.
- Allow 1 to 2 hours.
- Dog friendly.
One of our favorite places is located on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock, North Carolina. Sims Pond is a small lake nestled amongst thick groves of fir and hardwoods at an elevation of 3,447 feet. The pond sits at the northern entrance to 4,200 acre Julian Price Memorial Park, named for one of North Carolina’s most prominent and successful businessmen of the early twentieth century.
The pond is not large, and the Green Knob Trail, which begins at the pond, is a relatively short, 2.3 mile hike. But there is something quite special that drew us to the pond on an October afternoon back in 1993.
To appreciate what originally attracted us to this little unassuming stop along the Blue Ridge Parkway, one must have an affinity for fall foliage. In 1993, we happened to have come along on just the right day in just the right year. Every leaf on every hardwood encircling the little pond was on fire, bursting with fall yellows, oranges, burnt oranges, and reds. Equally remarkable was the breathtaking reflection the trees painted on the pond’s surface. We were left speechless and vowing to return often, which we have. And while we’ve never been quite fortunate enough to arrive again at such a perfect moment in nature’s time, we always look forward to our first glimpse of our special little place.
Recommendation: Here’s hoping you have the chance to visit Sim’s Pond, and that you find your own special place amongst the abundant natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. If you have several days to spend in western Virginia and North Carolina, you may want to set aside a half day or so for motoring up or down the Blue Ridge Parkway (Skyline Drive in Virginia). Around every turn, you’ll find breathtaking overlooks, captivating historical sites, and little known points of interest that have drawn generations of visitors back to the area for decades.
