Julian Price Memorial Park, National park on Blue Ridge Parkway, Watauga County, US.
Julian Price Memorial Park is a forested recreation area along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock in Watauga County, centered on Price Lake. Hiking trails wind through the surrounding woodland, and the grounds include campgrounds and picnic areas near the water.
Julian Price, an insurance executive, bought the land in the 1930s as a private retreat. After he died in a car accident in 1946, his family donated the property to the National Park Service, which added it to the Parkway.
The park draws families and outdoor enthusiasts who come to fish, paddle, and picnic along the lakeshore on weekends. The name honors Julian Price, a businessman whose family gave the land to the public after his death.
The park sits directly on the Blue Ridge Parkway and is easy to reach by car, with parking near the lake and camping areas. The Parkway can close in winter, so checking road conditions before visiting is a good idea.
Price Lake was created by a dam and is not a natural lake. A concrete bridge crossing the dam offers one of the few spots where you can look out over both the water and the surrounding ridges at the same time.
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