Doughton Park Field Trip

Join the Blue Ridge Chapter for a flower-filled field trip at Doughton Park on Saturday, July 30th, 2022! Doughton Park is the largest recreation area along the Blue Ridge Parkway and is located between mile markers 238.5 – 244.7. It features about 30 miles of trails through a variety of wildflower meadow and forest habitats, and several historic structures, such as Brinegar Cabin with its demonstration garden showcasing what early settlers would have grown and survived on. Bluffs Restaurant offers lunch and dinner options. You can join us for just a brief walk or a longer hike, depending on your preference and abilities.

At 11 AM, we will meet in the parking lot at Bluffs Lodge (not the restaurant; see the directions below) for about an hour of botanizing around the wildflower meadows a short level walk from the parking area. This part of the program is easily accessible and suited for all abilities. If you get there a little late due to the Parkway detour, look for the group of people in the meadow. You can’t miss it – it’s the one with the spectacular display of dense blazing star in bloom! Check out the video below for the butterflies and other pollinators that enjoy these flowers.

Around noon, we will take those who are able and in the mood for a longer outing for a 3-mile hike along the Bluff Mountain Trail to Brinegar Cabin. This is one of the featured hikes in Kevin Adams’ book “North Carolina’s Best Wildflower Hikes” and it offers some uncommon wildflowers in both meadow and forest settings as well as scenic views along the Parkway. The trail traverses fairly level terrain and is easy to moderate in difficulty. Please bring weather-appropriate clothing and footwear, along with water and snacks you may need for the hike. We expect to be on the trail for about 3 hours and will carpool back from Brinegar Cabin to Bluffs Lodge so hikers can catch a ride back to their cars.

Check out the video below for the butterflies and other pollinators that enjoy these flowers.

1. Directions to Bluff’s Lodge:  Note there is a detour in place on the Parkway for bridge repairs between 421 and Doughton Park that will add travel time (https://www.nps.gov/blri/learn/news/2022-06-03-laurel-fork-bridge-closure.htm). Follow the detour signs or plan to enter the Parkway at the NC18 access point (Laurel Springs). Go 7 miles north on the Parkway and take a right turn towards the Doughton Park Picnic Area across from the visitor center and restaurant at milepost 241.1. Going uphill, stay left at the fork in the road towards Bluffs Lodge. The parking lot will be on the right.

2. Directions to Brinegar Cabin:Going north on the Parkway, turn right into the Brinegar Cabin parking lot at milepost 238.5.

(Click on map to enlarge.)