Boone's Cave Park

There's a 140-cave in Davidson Co. where American pioneer Daniel Boone and his family were rumored to have spent their first winter after moving to the area from Pennsylvania in 1751. How cool is that? 

Boone's Cave Park, located in Lexington, NC, just under an hour north of uptown Charlotte, is home to this storied cave and a number of other fun features, including biking and hiking trails, a disc golf course, picnic shelters, fishing and primitive camp sites.

First, a little more about the park's historical significance. It's said that in the mid-1800s, Squire Boone, Daniel's dad, headed south with his family to the Yadkin Valley of North Carolina and settled for their first year in this fertile, river-side site. Daniel was 16 at the time. It should be noted that, while it's not been confirmed that the family in fact lived in the cave, it has been documented that Daniel roamed the area during his time in North Carolina.

If you visit, you'll find the cave on the banks of the river, just down a few sets of boardwalk stairs where Boone's Cave Rd. ends inside the park. There is parking here or in a lot a few hundred yards closer to the entrance next to a bathroom facility.

When we visited, we parked in the center parking lot (next to the restrooms) and set out to explore from there. One important note: During our visit, the mosquitoes were especially problematic. It seems this low-lying area offers a perfect breeding ground, so keep this in mind and consider making this a cooler-weather trip.

The park offers more than 7 miles of trails (see the park map at the bottom of this brochure), many of which are said to resemble what Daniel Boone and other backcountry settlers would have experienced when they roamed the area hundreds of years ago. 

The park is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from May 1 to September 18, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from September 19 to October 31, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from November 1 to April 30. You'll want to note that the park is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Years Day.

We found Boone's Cave Park to be a fun place to explore. Between the novelty of its historical significance and the abundance of recreational activity options, this makes for a fun, dynamic, family-friendly destination. We'll be back -- when the mosquitoes aren't so bad!

How to get there:
Boone's Cave Park is located at 3552 Boones Cave Rd, Lexington, NC 27295. You'll find parking just inside the park and at the end of Boone's Cave Rd. There are restroom facilities here.

Don't forget to pack:

• Comfortable walking shoes: Sneakers will do. Note that it's likely to be muddy after rain.
• Bug spray: Especially during warmer months.
• Water and snacks: Pack enough to stay a while.
• Hats, sunglasses and sunscreen: The park is mostly shaded, but not entirely.